Top 12 Finalists Announced for 2024 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition

The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition has unveiled its Top 12 finalists for 2024, featuring twelve exceptional agrifood entrepreneurs from eleven African countries. These young innovators will compete for a share of US$160,000 in prizes at the finals during the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum).

The finalists, selected from nearly 2000 applicants, will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, in early September to pitch their business solutions live on stage. They will also have the opportunity to network with global industry leaders, investors, and policymakers.

Finalists and Their Ventures:

Women Agripreneurs:

1. Salimata Toh – AGRIBANANA, Côte d’Ivoire: Transforms banana plant waste into eco-friendly products.
2. Deborah Nzarubara – Grecom, DR Congo: Produces and manages beekeeping products through the NYUKI TECH platform.
3. Fatima El Khou – Jafife, Morocco: Uses solar dryers to create long-lasting dried food products and natural dyes.
4. Tisya Mukuna – La BOITE, DR Congo: Produces La Kinoise coffee, managing the entire value chain from plantation to processing.
5. Riantsoa Mialinarindra – Sakafo Madagascar, Madagascar: Processes fruits and vegetables into traceable, nutritious food products.
6. Arristine Mendes – SHADDAÏ Aquaculture, Senegal: Produces fish feed using alternative protein sources to support sustainable aquaculture.

Men Agripreneurs:

1. Mogale Maleka – Agang Bokamoso Farms (AB Farms), South Africa: Utilizes a patented hydroponic system to produce nutritious crops.
2. Amir Redwan Ahmed – ChipChip, Ethiopia: Implements a “group buying” model to provide affordable, quality food to urban families.
3. Habib Mestiri – Hayat Technology, Tunisia: Develops the GrowIt system using AI-driven sensors for optimized water usage and crop management.
4. Iddi Mohammed Faried – Kodu Technology, Ghana: Creates eco-friendly sanitary pads from banana and plantain fibres.
5. Mostafa Hassanen – Plug’n’Grow, Egypt: Specializes in hydroponic and aquaculture solutions to optimize resource efficiency.
6. Charles Oyamo – Rethread Africa, Kenya: Converts agricultural waste into sustainable bioplastics.

Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International and GoGettaz co-founder, praised the finalists: “The passion and innovations demonstrated by these young entrepreneurs are truly inspiring. Africa needs impact-leaders in the food system, and our finalists are leading the way with climate-resilient and innovative ventures.”

Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Econet Group and GoGettaz co-founder, echoed these sentiments: “Africa is a continent of talented entrepreneurs. Our GoGettaz finalists are tackling climate and development challenges with groundbreaking technologies and innovative business models.”

Amath Pathe Sene, Managing Director of the Africa Food Systems Forum, added: “The GoGettaz Finals at the AFS Forum draw huge crowds every year. The 2024 finalists are exceptional and are addressing the multifaceted challenges facing our agrifood sector. The delegates attending this year’s summit will be very impressed.”

The finalists will receive personalized pitch training in preparation for their presentations at the GoGettaz Africa Finals.