By Eyasu Zekarias
Young innovators across Africa are driving transformative change in the agricultural sector by developing new technologies aimed at closing critical gaps and enhancing food security. Recent competitions organized by Heifer International have spotlighted and funded promising agritech solutions proposed by Africa’s youth, highlighting their vital role in shaping the continent’s agricultural future.
At the AYuTe NextGen 2025 competition held in Kampala, Uganda, four young agritech innovators from different African countries were recognized for their innovative approaches to addressing pressing challenges in the continent’s food system. The event, themed “Agricultural Technology Generation is on the Rise,” gathered leaders, investors, policymakers, and development partners to discuss major issues such as climate change, limited market access, and financing shortages for smallholder farmers.
Out of more than 100 applicants from 10 African countries, 11 finalists presented their innovations to an expert jury. Among the winners, Kenya’s Carolyn Mwangi was honored for developing climate change-resistant seedlings, while Ghana’s Nana Opoku received recognition for creating a digital platform that connects farmers with investors to secure funding.
The agricultural market in Africa, currently valued at $280 billion, is projected to grow to $1 trillion by 2030, with youth involvement playing a critical role in job creation and sector growth. Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President of Africa Programs at Heifer International, emphasized the impact of young entrepreneurs: “There are over 2,000 agricultural technology start-up companies operating on the continent, most of which are led by African youth. These young agricultural entrepreneurs are creating opportunities at all levels in the farming value chain. They are changing the way we produce food, exchange information, and solve climate problems.”
Parallel to the NextGen event, the AYuTe Ethiopia 2025 awards program recently took place, focusing specifically on young Ethiopian agritech innovators. The competition awarded cash prizes ranging from $7,500 to $15,000 to the top five innovators, who will also receive support to implement their ideas. The challenge aims to tackle obstacles faced by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, encouraging technologies that boost productivity, income, financing access, and resilience.
Despite Africa’s vast agricultural potential—boasting 60% of the world’s uncultivated fertile land—the sector remains technologically underdeveloped. Experts attribute this lag to inadequate policy support, poor infrastructure, and limited funding for agritech startups, which have hindered progress.
By empowering youth-led innovation, initiatives like Heifer International’s AYuTe competitions are fostering sustainable solutions that promise to transform agriculture across Africa, improving livelihoods and strengthening food security for millions.
