Four young agripreneurs from Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana have been crowned winners of the AYuTe NextGen 2025 competition, Africa’s leading platform for youth-led agricultural innovation, organized by Heifer International.
The event wrapped up in Kampala after three days of dynamic pitches, collaborative discussions, and visionary sessions themed “AgTech Generation Rising.
“The competition, which attracted over 100 entries from 10 African nations, showcased transformative solutions for smallholder farming.
“Eleven finalists pitched to a panel of experts from agriculture, finance, climate, and tech sectors, with winners selected in two categories: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Access to Finance and Markets.
In Climate-Smart Agriculture, Carolyn Mwangi of Kimplanter Seedlings and Nurseries (Kenya) won for producing climate-resilient seedlings for smallholder farmers.
Maryanne Gichanga of Agritechs Analytics (Kenya), offering solar-powered sensors for real-time farm monitoring, was the first runner-up.
In Access to Finance and Markets, Nana Opoku of Grow For Me (Ghana) took the top prize for his platform connecting farm sponsors with farmers for profit-sharing.
Richies Attai of Winich Farms (Nigeria), whose platform links farmers to factories with credit and insurance support, was the first runner-up.
“This win is a testament to our team’s dedication at Kimplanter,” said Mwangi.
“It’s proof that Africa’s agricultural future lies in innovation and youth determination.”Opoku echoed the sentiment:
“This award is a game-changer for Ghana’s smallholder farmers, unlocking finance and hope. It’s a victory for them.”
AYuTe NextGen is cementing its role as a launchpad for disruptive agritech ideas. Adesuwa Ifedi, Heifer International’s Senior Vice President of Africa Programs, highlighted youth’s transformative impact.
“With over 2,000 youth-led agritech startups in Africa, these innovators are revolutionizing food systems and building resilience,” she said.
The event featured sessions like “Growing a Unicorn in Agriculture” and “Africa for Africa: Same Soil, Many Paths,” addressing funding, policy, and youth inclusion.
Speakers called for catalytic capital, supportive policies, and investments in digital infrastructure, emphasizing mentorship and market access as keys to scaling agritech.
Participants from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Senegal underscored the event’s pan-African spirit.
Heifer International reaffirmed its commitment to fostering youth-led innovation and inclusive agricultural growth across Africa.
