A Lightweight Cryptography Framework for Secure mAgriculture: Securing IoT Endpoints for a Blockchain-based Traceability System in Ghana

Authors

Joseph Kojo Asampanbilla, Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana

Patrick Kudjo, Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana

Forgor Lempogo, Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana

William Leslie Brown-Acquaye, Ghana Communication Technology University, Ghana

Published in

IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings

ISSN: 2576-8581

ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.VUWY1277

Publisher

IST-Africa Institute and IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd

Published in Ireland

Abstract

Ghana's agricultural sector, vital for exports like cocoa, faces significant traceability challenges in meeting international standards, primarily due to critical security vulnerabilities in m-Agriculture systems. These challenges stem from resource-constrained Internet of Things (IoT) sensors on farms, which lack the computational power for traditional, heavyweight encryption, leaving collected data insecure. This paper aims to address this vulnerability by proposing a Lightweight Cryptography (LWC) framework designed to provide robust, efficient security for these IoT endpoints, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data before it is recorded on a blockchain. Using a conceptual framework design methodology, the proposed framework is structured around a hybrid security architecture integrating three core components: Lightweight On-Device Encryption, Data Authentication Protocols, and Secure Channel Transmission. It aligns with the performance principles of NIST-standardized LWC algorithms, such as Ascon, and is designed to integrate directly with immutable blockchain ledgers, providing a verifiable chain of custody. Adopting the proposed LWC framework provides a feasible pathway to a trusted, end-to-end traceability system, securing data from the farm to the port, building farmer trust, and ensuring compliance with international regulatory demands.

Keywords

Lightweight Cryptography, m-Agriculture, Internet of Things, Blockchain, Traceability, Supply Chain Security, Ghana

Cite this paper

J.K. Asampanbilla, P. Kudjo, F. Lempogo and W.L. Brown-Acquaye (2026) "A Lightweight Cryptography Framework for Secure mAgriculture: Securing IoT Endpoints for a Blockchain-based Traceability System in Ghana", IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings, Miriam Cunningham and Paul Cunningham (Eds), IST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2026, ISSN: 2576-8581, ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2, https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.VUWY1277

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