Young agribusiness innovators to participate in the Africa Green Revolution Forum

Representatives from East Africa youth-owned startups and small and medium-sized enterprises were nominated by Young Innovators in Agribusiness 2015 Edition to participate in this year's African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF 2015) in Lusaka, Zambia. Their main focus is to equip the youth with skills to establish and run sustainable enterprises along agricultural value chains. This year's edition is made possible through USAID's project, the East Africa Trade and Investment Hub, Syngenta and Inter-Region Economic Network.

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The youth aged between 18-35 years from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia run businesses that support agribusiness in their respective countries. They are part of the entrants in the second edition of the agribusiness incubating competition dubbed "Young Innovators in Agribusiness Competition."

The selection targeted early bird applicants who had submitted entries by September 15. The competition follows last year's successful Agribusiness competition that attracted over 800 participants from sub-Saharan Africa. The overall competition remains open until September 30 and will target 120 start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

According to James Shikwati, the competition's team leader, the nominees will showcase their business prospects, network with fellow youth, interact with potential partners and exchange views on best practices and contemporary issues pertaining to the sustainable development of Africa's agricultural and agro-industrial sectors.

The six nominees all have businesses associated with the agricultural value chain. Abrhame Eudria`s from Ethiopia focuses on hiring farm machinery to farmers, supplying farm chemicals and offering farm credit services. Vava Angwenyi from Kenya, runs a social impact enterprise that works with smallholder coffee farmers. Pascal Furaha from Rwanda focuses on pepper production and capacity building for farmers. Nyiringabo Ignace`s, also from Rwanda, equips farmers with quality seeds and emerging technologies in the seed sector. Catherine Mbondo from Kenya focuses on honey production while Noah Ssempijja provides credit facilities and farm inputs to youth and women in Uganda.

Goal

The overall goal of the "Young Innovators in Agribusiness Competition" is to equip participating youth who own start-ups and SMEs with an aim of ensuring they run sustainable enterprises that attract potential investors and stakeholders through competition.

Specifically the competition aims to:
• Promote the establishment and strengthening of existing start-ups and SMEs
• Demonstrate the interconnectedness of players along the agricultural value chains
• Promote investment, job creation and productivity in the agribusiness sector

Eligibility

• East African youth as well as youth from Ethiopia, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar
• Business should be youth owned/founded by individuals or groups aged 18-35 years
• The youth should have a start-up or small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) involved in the agricultural value chain.
• The business should be in the second year of operation
• The business should hold a registration certificate and business profile

Competition

The 12 months competition process will involve training and mentorship for the top 120 entries (60 start-ups and 60 SMEs) at the Toyota Kenya Academy in Nairobi. The participants will receive accelerated training, business skills development, and exposure to the regional investor network. The top 30 finalists will participate in the Agribusiness Innovation and Trade Fair conducted by IREN and its partners, in May 2016 at Kigali in Rwanda. The top six finalists will receive seed capital amounting to USD 20,000.

Application forms, competition guidelines, and awards information are available on the competition website.