Artificial intelligence and blockchain could improve African farming but their impact will depend on whether the systems address farmers’ practical needs. Researchers reviewing studies published between 2005 and 2025 identified four priorities for policymakers to address. First, data quality: blockchain help secures records as information entered cannot be altered. However, the technology is limited in that it cannot ensure the accuracy of the information in the first place. If AI is trained on such poor-quality data, it will inadvertently make unreliable recommendations that can hamper farmers. Second, farmers need timely, actionable decisions rather than more information, so tools must be useful even in areas with weak connectivity, costly data, and limited digital skills. Third, data ownership: farmers supply valuable data but have little control over its use, risking deeper inequality. Fourth, adoption requires clear economic benefits, such as fewer losses, lower costs, or better prices. The researchers argue that, for digital tools to work in Africa, policymakers must take farmers’ concerns into account in their decisions on how to deploy technology.