The youth are the future!
Forbes reports that three African youth-led Agritech businesses are set to receive $1.5 million in grants to expand solutions for the hurdles that African smallholder farmers face. In addition to the investment, the businesses will receive mentorship.
The support comes as a result of the 2022 AYuTe Africa Challenge, an annual competition that awards young agritech innovators 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.
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.”
