A princely sum of US$100,000 is up for grab in a competition organised for small-scaled young agripreneurs across the African Continent.
The Award is targeted at youth-led agrifood businesses in Africa, as unveiled by Generation Africa in the 2023 edition of the Gogettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition.
As published by Pluboard, a Nigerian-based media outfit, in its 8 May, 2023 edition, the competition is open to all African agripreneurs between 18 and 35 years.
The prospective applicants should however be the founders or co-founders of their innovative and scalable agrifood businesses.
According to the report, applications for the agripreneurs are open from 8 May to 19 June 2023.
The competition will peak with a final contest at the AGRF Summit to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, later in September.
Up for grab is the sum of US$50, 000 each to two lucky young male and female small-scaled agripreneurs to upscale their businesses.
“Generation Africa is commemorating its fifth birthday and over the last half-decade, the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition has established itself as the biggest, annual agripreneurship competition in Africa.
“By identifying and supporting innovative, high-potential agribusinesses, Generation Africa aims to inspire millions of youths to pursue a career in the fast-evolving agrifood sector.
“The organisation’s support efforts continue to grow and include a bespoke Generation Africa Fellowship Programme (GAFP), specially curated scholarship opportunities, advocacy platforms and more,” it was reported.
Explaining further, Dickson Naftali, Head of Generation Africa, stated: “Agripreneurship is the biggest, most important opportunity in Africa.
“Especially with the power of emerging technologies in the sector, we want African youth to grab this opportunity with both hands.”
He said: “A strong, African-led agrifood sector is our best hope for a prosperous continent without hunger and malnutrition.
“But we must develop our agrifood sector better, more sustainably, and more responsibly.”
The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition seeks to fast-track the growth of agribusinesses with the potential to ensure food security and provide dignified employment.
It aims at achieving this in collaboration with top mentors, a network of global industry leaders, and a growing community,
Among other criteria, the agripreneurs applying for the $100, 000 Award must be citizens of an African country, with their business headquarters located in any part of the Continent.
After the semi-final process, 12 finalists will be invited to pitch their businesses to a panel of expert judges.
Finalists will also be given facilitated access to the AGRF Agribusiness Deal Room to grow their network with potential investors, partners, and collaborators.
The award ceremony will also take place at the AGRF Summit.
Beyond the US$50,000 grand prize each, additional Impact Awards of US$2,500 each will be awarded to four innovative businesses who make a positive social and environmental impact.
This must manifest in their contributions to climate-preneurship, food security, poverty reduction, and/or job creation in their communities.
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA, said: “In just five years, the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition has become a critical platform for identifying and supporting young African entrepreneurs who are boldly launching businesses in the agrifood sector.
“In the process they are creating wealth for themselves and their families and driving economic growth on the continent.
“We are excited to see the innovative and scalable solutions that the next generation of agripreneurs will bring to the table.”
Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yara International and Generation Africa Co-Founder and Ambassador, also commented:
“In order for Africa and the world to achieve a nature-positive food future, capacity-building and empowerment of farmers and agri-entrepreneurs – especially women and young people – is critical.
“Generation Africa and the GoGettaz Competition play a vital role in helping to support this continent’s best and brightest who are contributing to regional and global, sustainable food security,” he said.
Strive Masiriya, Generation Africa Co-Founder, and Founder/Executive Chairman of Econet Group and Cassava Technologies, also remarked:
“When Svein Tore and I first talked about engaging youth in Africa’s agrifood sector, we hadn’t yet faced a global pandemic or huge disruptions in the food supply chain.
“As the fastest growing demographic on earth, our young African entrepreneurs are now imagining new agribusiness models, harnessing the power of agritech and innovative food science technologies to create new markets and prosperity.
“They’re remarkable. A long way to go but the aim is for Africa to be a net food exporter, not the other way around!”
Naftali added: “The agrifood sector is the key: jobs, food security, cutting-edge technology, professional growth, resilient communities, even mitigating the effects of climate change.
“When our young people believe in the potential this industry holds for them, Africa will be transformed. It is very dynamic.”
Prospective agripreneurs for the competition are advised to go to: http://GoGettaz.Africa for more information.
