Photo Credit: subman
Business & Opportunities

Youth African Agritech Innovators Receive $1.5M Investment To Accelerate Agriculture Across Africa

February 3, 2023
How Africa News
Photo Credit: subman

 

According to Forbes, three African youth-led Agritech companies will receive $1.5 million in grants to expand solutions for the challenges that African smallholder farmers face. In addition to the investment, the companies will be mentored.

The funding comes from the 2022 AYuTe Africa Challenge, an annual competition that recognizes young agritech innovators from across the continent.

“We envision combining the power of African youth with the many possibilities of emerging technologies to support smallholder farmers across Africa to grow their businesses and incomes—a transformative force we call AYuTe,” AYuTe’s website writes.

The three winners are:

  • Kenya’s DigiCow
  • Botswana’s Brastorne Enterprises
  • Nigeria’s ThriveAgric

With the new investment, “they will be able to scale up innovations that hold the potential to disrupt agriculture on the continent and reposition the sector as a rewarding career path for the youth,” according to the outlet.

Trending
Get to Know James Norman, the Serial Innovator Behind Fast-and-Furious Customized Cars

As climate change has greatly impacted African farmers, 22 million people are at risk of hunger. Initiatives such as AYuTe Africa Challenge aim to help the youth lead agricultural transformation for urgent change.

“At a time when Africa is facing unprecedented food-related challenges, it is incredibly inspiring to see these young African champions firmly focused on an agriculture-led future that provides farmers with the innovations they need to succeed,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, senior vice president of Africa Programs at Heifer International, per the outlet.

DigiCow, Brastorne Enterprises, and ThriveAgric all are a part of tackling the digital divide.

“We’ve developed the technologies, strategies and partnerships we believe can build the largest network of productive, profitable farmers Africa has ever seen,” said Uka Eje, co-founder and CEO of Thrive Agric.

He continued: “Investors are responding to our potential and this prestigious award from Heifer International will accelerate our plans to expand across the continent.”

 

Leave a Reply