City Farms for South Africa: Russian Digital Technology Transforming African Agriculture
Russian agtech startup GreenBar has introduced advanced vertical farming solutions at the G20 Digital Innovation Alliance Summit in Cape Town, South Africa—offering a glimpse into how AI-driven systems can strengthen global food security and redefine sustainable agriculture in developing regions.
Tackling Global Food Security Challenges
At the prestigious G20 MSME Digital Innovation Challenge 2025, held September 26–29 in Cape Town, the Russian company GreenBar—a Skolkovo resident and developer of modular indoor farming systems powered by artificial intelligence—presented its latest vertical farming technology.
The G20, representing 85% of global GDP, hosts this annual competition to identify breakthrough digital solutions for global challenges. GreenBar’s project demonstrated how technology can directly address worldwide food insecurity through scalable, climate-independent food production.
At the summit, GreenBar showcased fully automated vertical farm modules controlled by its proprietary AI software Virtual Agronomist, supported by Russia’s Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises in Science and Technology. These systems can be installed in urban or rural environments and operated year-round, regardless of external conditions.
Advantages of Russian Technology
Delegates were particularly impressed by GreenBar’s technological independence from climate variables. Its systems enable cultivation of greens, vegetables, and medicinal plants 365 days a year—even in dense urban settings.
The digital management platform, powered by AI, optimizes microclimate and nutrient parameters, accelerating plant growth and allowing precise control over biochemical composition. In African conditions, the technology’s sustainability metrics stood out: it reduces water consumption by up to 95% compared to traditional farming and completely eliminates pesticide use.
Participation in the G20 summit opens international investment and partnership opportunities for GreenBar. According to experts from the Innovation Support Fund, the global vertical farming market is projected to reach $34 billion by 2032. As GreenBar representatives Anna Vititina and Tatyana Ekkert noted, “The G20-DIA summit gave us a chance to highlight our competitive advantages. We have already entered the markets of Indonesia and the UAE and see growing interest from other countries.”
A Success for Russian Tech Diplomacy
Russia’s presence at the G20-DIA summit reflects its broader strategic initiative to promote domestic IT and agtech solutions across Africa and strengthen cooperation with developing economies.
Alongside GreenBar, Russia was represented in person by Metadoor, while VizorLabs, Dobrokhim, and Sputniks showcased their innovations remotely. VizorLabs, a developer of AI-based industrial video analytics used in nuclear energy, reported that its technology has been deployed at nine nuclear power plants in Russia—reducing safety violations ninefold. “We are now piloting projects with oil companies in Saudi Arabia and believe our G20 experience will strengthen our global reach,” said Marketing Director Stanislav Ziganshin.
Dobrokhim, a manufacturer of eco-friendly water purification systems, also drew attention. “Africa and the Middle East urgently need modern water treatment technologies,” said CEO Anna Konyashina. “Participation in G20-DIA opened direct dialogue with potential partners in this strategically important region.”
Expanding Russia’s Agtech and IT Reach
The success of Russian tech companies in South Africa opens doors for expanding business across Africa and the BRICS bloc. Exporting these technologies increases revenue for Russian enterprises, stimulates demand for skilled IT professionals—especially in regional innovation hubs—and enhances the country’s technological infrastructure.
As Russia strengthens its reputation as a global IT and agtech player, it attracts foreign currency inflows from export contracts and reinforces its position as a partner of choice for emerging economies. Many developing nations are now seeking “turnkey” digital and agricultural solutions with flexible pricing—an area where Russian developers can offer competitive alternatives to Western providers.
