By Merit Ibe
The top 12 agrifood entrepreneurs from 11 African countries are set to pitch their innovative business solutions at the prestigious $160,000 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition Finals during the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF). These young entrepreneurs have emerged as leaders in Africa’s agrifood sector, showcasing extraordinary innovation and a visionary approach to sustainable agriculture.
From a pool of nearly 2,000 applicants from across the continent, these twelve trailblazers have risen to the top after rigorous evaluations, including a semi-final round of online interviews. Their efforts have earned them a trip to Kigali, Rwanda, in early September, where they will present their ventures live on stage at the GoGettaz Africa Finals during the annual AFS Forum. This week-long event offers invaluable exposure and networking opportunities with global industry leaders, potential investors, and influential policymakers in the agriculture and food sector.
Along with a chance to win one of two $50,000 Grand Prizes, the finalists will also be eligible for GoGettaz Impact Awards totaling an additional $60,000. The AFS Forum provides these young entrepreneurs, aged 18-35, a unique opportunity to build strategic partnerships and elevate their agribusinesses to new heights.
The entrepreneurial ventures competing for this year’s GoGettaz Africa prizes demonstrate innovative approaches to improving rural livelihoods, promoting responsible water usage, minimizing post-harvest loss, and tackling agricultural waste sustainably and creatively. These ventures are recognized not only for their profitability but also for their positive impact on communities and the environment.
By supporting Africa’s young leaders, GoGettaz is investing in the next generation of agrifood innovators, playing a crucial role in shaping a more prosperous, productive, and environmentally friendly future for African agriculture. Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International and GoGettaz co-founder, remarked, “The passion and innovations demonstrated by these young entrepreneurs are truly inspiring.
Africa needs impact-leaders in the food system. Many of our young GoGettaz agripreneurs are heavily affected by extreme and unpredictable weather, especially in areas where water scarcity is already an issue. It is heartening to see that young food systems leaders, like our twelve GoGettaz finalists, are operating climate-resilient and innovative ventures. We are very excited to see them in action at the GoGettaz finals.”
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Econet Group and GoGettaz co-founder, emphasized, “This is what Africa’s future looks like, and it is a bright future. Africa is a continent of talented entrepreneurs. The innovative products, business models, and groundbreaking technologies being developed today by our GoGettaz entrepreneurs are amazing. Not only are our young business leaders working to launch and grow profitable ventures that create good jobs and prosperity across Africa’s agrifood sector; many are also tackling climate and development challenges that have perplexed global experts for years. To us, GoGettaz means having a solution-seeking, action-focused entrepreneurial mindset! We salute them all.”