Celebrating Africa’s high younger agrifood entrepreneurs on the 2024 Africa Meals Programs Discussion board (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda; Visionary agripreneurs from 11 African international locations recognised for launching modern companies that drive agricultural transformation throughout the continent.
In a celebration of African agrifood innovation, two younger entrepreneurs have been awarded the celebrated GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competitors Grand Prizes on the Africa Meals Programs Discussion board 2024 final Friday in Kigali. Through the extremely anticipated Youth City Corridor occasion, GoGettaz judges chosen Fatima El Khou, Founder, CEO, and Head of Analysis&Innovation from Jafife (Morocco), and Dr. Iddi Mohammed Faried, Co-founder and CEO of Kodu Know-how (Ghana) to every obtain $50,000 for his or her groundbreaking options in agriculture.
Fatima El Khou’s firm, Jafife (https://Jafife.ma/), is revolutionizing the agri-food provide chain in Morocco with digitalized solar-powered expertise that transforms crops and seafood into long-lasting dried meals merchandise sustaining dietary worth and high quality. Using renewable power, Jafife’s meals merchandise and pure dyes present eco-conscious options throughout industries, whereas empowering native producers.
Dr. Iddi Mohammed Faried’s firm Kodu Know-how (https://KoduTechnology.com/), has launched a scientific innovation in Ghana that transforms banana and plantain fibers into eco-friendly sanitary pads for girls, addressing well being and hygiene challenges. Kodu Know-how’s innovation not solely creates a sustainable and reasonably priced different to conventional menstrual merchandise with a mission to eradicate “interval poverty” in rural communities but in addition helps native agriculture and contributes to the round economic system by repurposing agricultural waste.
“These younger agripreneurs have proven that Africa’s options to meals techniques transformation are already being carried out,” mentioned Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA. “Their drive, creativity, and dedication to constructing sustainable agribusinesses are precisely what we have to obtain lasting change throughout the continent. It’s inspiring to see such transformative concepts come to life.”
Along with the grand prizes, 4 younger entrepreneurs have been every awarded a $15,000 Impression Award, recognizing their transformative contributions throughout essential areas together with rural livelihoods, expertise, job creation, bettering rural livelihoods, pure useful resource use, local weather resilience, vitamin, youth and ladies’s empowerment. The 2024 GoGettaz Impression Award winners are:
Charles Oyamo – Rethread Africa (https://Rethread.Africa/), Kenya, Know-how Impression Prize. Rethread Africa converts agricultural waste from smallholder farmers into sustainable bioplastics, offering eco-friendly supplies for numerous industries. Rethread’s expertise reduces the reliance on artificial supplies and will increase farmers’ earnings with out further labour, selling sustainable agriculture.
Tisya Mukuna, La BOITE (www.La-Kinoise.com), DR Congo – Job Creation and Bettering Rural Livelihoods Impression Prize. La BOITE produces La Kinoise espresso, cultivated and remodeled completely in Kinshasa, managing the whole worth chain from plantation to processing. By reviving deserted espresso plantations and supporting native cooperatives, La Boite improves agricultural practices and create financial alternatives by way of its “One Cart, One Job” program.
Salimata Toh, AGRIBANANA (https://AGRIBANANA.net/), Côte d’Ivoire – Useful resource Use and Local weather Impression Prize. AGRIBANANA transforms banana plant waste into eco-friendly merchandise like pure fibres, paper pulp, and biodegradable packaging. Agribanana’s patented course of provides worth to agricultural waste, selling sustainable consumption and lowering environmental influence.
Riantsoa Mialinarindra, Sakafo Madagascar (www.Sakafo-Madagascar.com) – Job Creation, Diet and Gender Impression Prize. Sakafo Madagascar processes vegatables and fruits grown by small-scale farmers into traceable, nutritious meals merchandise. Safako’s holistic ecosystem helps sustainable farming practices, reduces post-harvest loss, and promotes a round economic system with composting and clear power initiatives in Madagascar.
Moreover, every of the remaining 6 finalists acquired a GoGettaz “Younger Catalyst Award” of $1,000 every, recognizing their excellence and catalytic contributions to develop, remodel, and positively influence Africa’s agrifood techniques:
Deborah Nzarubara – Grecom (www.Grecom-RDC.com), DR Congo. Grecom specializes within the manufacturing, sale, and transformation of beekeeping merchandise utilizing its NYUKI TECH platform. Grecom’s platform allows apiculturists to trace and handle its hives remotely, guaranteeing optimum manufacturing and bee well being, whereas connecting small producers to market data and clients.
Arristine Mendes – SHADDAÏ Aquaculture (https://apo-opa.co/47mUmzf), Senegal. SHADDAÏ Aquaculture produces fish feed with out fish meal, utilizing different protein sources and lysis expertise for digestibility. This innovation protects the setting by lowering overfishing whereas offering high-quality feed to help sustainable aquaculture.
Mogale Maleka – Agang Bokamoso Farms (AB Farms) (https://ABFarms.co.za/), South Africa. AB Farms’ patented vertical hydroponic system operates effectively throughout water and energy shortages, utilizing 90% much less water and 10 instances much less land than conventional farming. AB Farms’ vertical farming system allows farmers to provide nutritious crops which can be just about pesticide free, in city areas, on degraded land, or in areas with poor soil circumstances.
Bruk Getahun – ChipChip (https://ChipChip.social/), Ethiopia. ChipChip.Social makes use of an modern “group shopping for” mannequin to offer reasonably priced, high quality meals to city households whereas empowering farmers. ChipChip’s platform aggregates demand, lowering logistics prices and providing shoppers wholesale costs, that are no less than 20% decrease than market charges.
Mohamed Amine Bensalem – Hayat Know-how, Tunisia. Hayat Know-how’s GrowIt system makes use of AI-driven sensors and real-time information evaluation to optimize water utilization and improve crop administration. This superior irrigation expertise is accessible and reasonably priced for farmers, bettering productiveness and sustainability.
Mostafa Hassanen – Plug’n’Develop (www.PlugNGrow.me), Egypt. Plug’n’Develop focuses on hydroponic and aquaculture options, enabling growers to provide premium high quality crops with minimal sources. Plug’n’Develop’s techniques scale back capital and operational prices by 70% in comparison with conventional strategies, optimizing useful resource effectivity and crop yields.
The esteemed judges panel for 2024 consisted of GoGettaz companions and consultants from throughout the African continent. The judges have been:
Ada Osakwe (Founder&CEO, Agrolay Ventures, AGRA Board Member, GoGettaz Lead Choose) Nigeria
Fina Kayisanabo (Personal Sector Improvement Crew Lead, USAID) Rwanda
Jane Baldwin (Head of Agrifood Programs, Pan African Packages, Mastercard Basis) Canada
Luis Alfredo Pérez (Senior Vice President Africa, Yara Worldwide) Guatemala
Nana Amoah (Director of Gender, Youth, and Inclusiveness for AGRA) Ghana
Tchegoun Koba (World Technical Advisor for Youth Employment&Entrepreneurship, SNV) Senegal
The 2024 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize finale started this 12 months with remarks from GoGettaz winners from earlier years and galvanizing phrases from Ms Solange Tetero, Director Normal of Youth Empowerment within the Ministry of Youth and Arts, Authorities of Rwanda. Leisure featured younger dancers from the Sherrie Silver Basis in Rwanda.
This 12 months, GoGettaz expanded its attain, specializing in underrepresented Francophone areas and inspiring improvements addressing local weather challenges and options. The marketing campaign’s success was evident with elevated participation and variety amongst finalists who this 12 months hailed from 11 African international locations. To search out out extra, please discover 12 months’s Prime-12 Deal Ebook: https://apo-opa.co/3XmxjA8
Amath Pathe Sene, Managing Director of the Africa Meals Programs Discussion board, highlighted the significance of youth-driven options. “The way forward for Africa’s meals techniques lies within the arms of its younger entrepreneurs. Their concepts aren’t simply modern – they’re obligatory.”
Attempt Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Econet Group and GoGettaz Africa co-founder, addressed the standing-room-only viewers on the Youth Dome occasion simply earlier than the Prime-12 finalists went on stage for his or her 3-minute pitches and five-minute grilling by the GoGettaz professional judging panel. Excerpted remarks:
“It’s outstanding to see the extraordinary variety of African entrepreneurs who’re pioneering options throughout so many African international locations,” he famous. “To all members, and I’m not simply speaking to those that made the finalists, I’ve at all times mentioned (GoGettaz) is one award through which the winner is anybody who participates, as a result of on the finish of the day, we can provide you an award, nevertheless it’s not an finish in itself.”
“The tip is to construct African enterprises that create jobs, that may scale, that may clear up actual issues as they construct the prosperity of countries,” he remarked. “In case you are a participant, you’re a winner, not simply the finalists, since you are displaying us you may have the boldness, you may have the flexibility, and you’ve got put collectively a enterprise. Pat your self on the again and provides a high-five to your group for taking part… as a result of entrepreneurs attempt, attempt, and check out once more till they succeed.”
To this 12 months’s finalists, I’m so happy with you. I’ve gone by way of the lists and been following the stories. To the winners: Properly achieved. Africa thanks you. I thanks,” he concluded.
Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara Worldwide and co-founder of GoGettaz, emphasised the importance of youth-led innovation in addressing meals safety challenges. “These younger entrepreneurs are remodeling meals techniques with daring, ingenious options. Their influence will resonate far past Africa.”
This 12 months marked a big improve in feminine participation, an necessary milestone in an business typically dominated by males. Morocco, DRC, and Côte d’Ivoire noticed a surge in illustration, additional testomony to the inclusivity and broad regional influence of the 2024 GoGettaz annual marketing campaign and competitors.
Because the 2024 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competitors concludes, GoGettaz and its companions counseled the resilience, creativity, and management of Africa’s younger agripreneurs. With a rising community of innovators, the main target now shifts to fostering mentorship and policy-making that helps youth and ladies in agriculture.
To be taught extra about this 12 months’s finalists and to remain knowledgeable about upcoming alternatives, go to https://GoGettaz.Africa and observe our journey towards remodeling African agriculture by way of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 2024 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competitors.
Contact:
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Media Liaison
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GoGettaz Co-Founders:
Yara Worldwide: https://www.Yara.com/
Econet Group: https://www.EconetAfrica.com/
GoGettaz Companions:
Africa Meals Programs Discussion board: https://AGRF.org/
Alliance for a Inexperienced Revolution Africa: https://AGRA.org/
Mastercard Basis: https://www.MastercardFDN.org
SNV Netherlands Improvement Organisation: https://www.SNV.org/
U.S. Company for Worldwide Improvement: https://www.USAID.gov/
Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions: http://www.SACAU.org/