2024 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize winners announced

In a celebration of African agrifood innovation, two young entrepreneurs were awarded the prestigious GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition Grand Prizes at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 in Kigali.

GoGettaz judges selected Fatima El Khou, founder, CEO and head of Research & Innovation from Jafife, and Dr Iddi Mohammed Faried, co-founder and CEO of Kodu Technology, to each receive $50 000 for their groundbreaking solutions in agriculture.

El Khou’s company Jafife is revolutionising the agrifood supply chain in Morocco with digitalised solar-powered technology that transforms crops and seafood into long-lasting dried food products maintaining nutritional value and quality. Utilising renewable energy, Jafife’s food products and natural dyes provide eco-conscious solutions across industries, while empowering local producers.

Dr Faried’s company Kodu Technology has introduced a scientific innovation in Ghana that transforms banana and plantain fibres into eco-friendly sanitary pads for women, addressing health and hygiene challenges. Kodu Technology’s innovation not only creates a sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional menstrual products with a mission to eradicate ‘period poverty’ in rural communities but also supports local agriculture and contributes to the circular economy by repurposing agricultural waste.

“These young agripreneurs have shown that Africa’s solutions to food systems transformation are already being implemented,” said Dr Agnes Kalibata, president of AGRA. “Their drive, creativity and commitment to building sustainable agribusinesses are exactly what we need to achieve lasting change across the continent. It’s inspiring to see such transformative ideas come to life.”

In addition to the grand prizes, four young entrepreneurs were each awarded a $15 000 Impact Award, recognising their transformative contributions across critical areas including rural livelihoods, technology, job creation, improving rural livelihoods, natural resource use, climate resilience, nutrition, as well as youth and women’s empowerment.

The 2024 GoGettaz Impact Award winners:

Technology Impact Prize

Charles Oyamo – Rethread Africa, Kenya

Rethread Africa converts agricultural waste from smallholder farmers into sustainable bioplastics, providing eco-friendly materials for various industries. Rethread’s technology reduces the reliance on synthetic materials and increases farmers’ income without additional labour, promoting sustainable agriculture.

Job Creation and Improving Rural Livelihoods Impact Prize

Tisya Mukuna – La Boite, DR Congo

La Boite produces La Kinoise coffee, cultivated and transformed entirely in Kinshasa, managing the entire value chain from plantation to processing. By reviving abandoned coffee plantations and supporting local co-operatives, La Boite improves agricultural practices and create economic opportunities through its “One Cart, One Job” programme.

Resource Use and Climate Impact Prize

Salimata Toh – AGRIBANANA, Côte d’Ivoire

AGRIBANANA transforms banana plant waste into eco-friendly products like natural fibres, paper pulp and biodegradable packaging. AGRIBANANA’s patented process adds value to agricultural waste, promoting sustainable consumption and reducing environmental impact.

Job Creation, Nutrition and Gender Impact Prize

Riantsoa Mialinarindra – Sakafo Madagascar

Sakafo Madagascar processes fruits and vegetables grown by small-scale farmers into traceable, nutritious food products. Safako’s holistic ecosystem supports sustainable farming practices, reduces post-harvest loss and promotes a circular economy with composting and clean energy initiatives in Madagascar.

Additionally, each of the remaining 6 finalists received a GoGettaz “Young Catalyst Award” of $1 000 each, recognising their excellence and catalytic contributions to grow, transform and positively impact Africa’s agrifood systems:

Deborah Nzarubara – Grecom, DR Congo

Grecom specialises in the production, sale and transformation of beekeeping products using its NYUKI TECH platform. Grecom’s platform enables apiculturists to track and manage hives remotely, ensuring optimal production and bee health, while connecting small producers to market information and customers.

Arristine Mendes – SHADDAÏ Aquaculture, Senegal

SHADDAÏ Aquaculture produces fish feed without fish meal, using alternative protein sources and lysis technology for digestibility. This innovation protects the environment by reducing overfishing while providing high-quality feed to support sustainable aquaculture.

Mogale Maleka – Agang Bokamoso Farms, South Africa

AB Farms’ patented vertical hydroponic system operates efficiently during water and power shortages, using 90% less water and 10 times less land than traditional farming. AB Farms’ vertical farming system enables farmers to produce nutritious crops that are virtually pesticide-free, in urban areas, on degraded land or in areas with poor soil conditions.

Bruk Getahun – ChipChip, Ethiopia

ChipChip.Social uses an innovative ‘group buying’ model to provide affordable, quality food to urban families while empowering farmers. ChipChip’s platform aggregates demand, reducing logistics costs and offering consumers wholesale prices, which are at least 20% lower than market rates.

Mohamed Amine Bensalem – Hayat Technology, Tunisia

Hayat Technology’s GrowIt system uses AI-driven sensors and real-time data analysis to optimise water usage and enhance crop management. This advanced irrigation technology is accessible and affordable for farmers, improving productivity and sustainability.

Mostafa Hassanen – Plug’n’Grow, Egypt

Plug’n’Grow specialises in hydroponic and aquaculture solutions, enabling growers to produce premium quality crops with minimal resources. Plug’n’Grow’s systems reduce capital and operational costs by 70% compared to traditional methods, optimising resource efficiency and crop yields.

This year, GoGettaz expanded its reach, focusing on underrepresented Francophone regions and encouraging innovations addressing climate challenges and solutions. The campaign’s success was evident with increased participation and diversity among finalists who this year hailed from 11 African countries.

Amath Pathe Sene, managing director of the Africa Food Systems Forum, highlights the importance of youth-driven solutions: “The future of Africa’s food systems lies in the hands of its young entrepreneurs. Their ideas are not just innovative – they are necessary.”

Strive Masiyiwa, founder and chair of Econet Group and GoGettaz Africa co-founder, addressed the standing-room-only audience at the Youth Dome event just before the Top 12 finalists went on stage for their three-minute pitches and five-minute grilling by the GoGettaz expert judging panel.

“It’s remarkable to see the extraordinary number of African entrepreneurs who are pioneering solutions across so many African countries,” he noted. “To all participants, and I’m not just talking to those who made the finalists, I’ve always said (GoGettaz) is one award in which the winner is anyone who participates because, at the end of the day, we can give you an award, but it’s not an end in itself. The end is to build African enterprises that create jobs, that can scale, that can solve real problems as they build the prosperity of nations.”

Svein Tore Holsether, president and CEO of Yara International and co-founder of GoGettaz, emphasised the significance of youth-led innovation in addressing food security challenges. “These young entrepreneurs are transforming food systems with bold, inventive solutions. Their impact will resonate far beyond Africa.”

This year marked a significant increase in female participation, an important milestone in an industry often dominated by men. Morocco, DRC and Côte d’Ivoire saw a surge in representation, further testament to the inclusivity and broad regional impact of the 2024 GoGettaz annual campaign and competition.

As the 2024 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition concluded, GoGettaz and its partners commended the resilience, creativity and leadership of Africa’s young agripreneurs. With a growing network of innovators, the focus now shifts to fostering mentorship and policy-making that supports youth and women in agriculture.