GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition 2024 has named Moroccan Fatima El Khou, founder and Head of Research and Innovation at Jafife, and Ghanaian Dr Iddi Mohammed Faried, co-founder and CEO of Kodu Technology as winners of this year’s competition.
The grand prize winners each received USD $50,000 to scale their businesses. Jafife aims to revolutionize agri-food supply chain in Morocco with digitalized solar-powered technology that transforms crops and seafood into long-lasting dried food products while Ghana’s Kodu Technology transforms banana and plantain fibers into eco-friendly sanitary pads for women, addressing health and hygiene challenges.
According to Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Econet Group and GoGettaz Africa co-founder, “It’s remarkable to see the extraordinary number of African entrepreneurs who are pioneering solutions across so many African countries,” he noted. “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.”
In addition to the grand prizes, four young entrepreneurs were each awarded a $15,000 Impact Award, recognizing their transformative contributions across critical areas. The Impact Award winners include Kenya’s Charles Oyamo with Rethread Africa which converts agricultural waste from smallholder farmers into sustainable bioplastics, providing eco-friendly materials for various industries. DR Congo’s Tisya Mukuna, La BOITE produces La Kinoise coffee, cultivated and transformed entirely in Kinshasa, managing the entire value chain from plantation to processing and helping to revive abandoned coffee plantations and supporting local cooperatives.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Salimata Toh, AGRIBANANA transforms banana plant waste into eco-friendly products like natural fibres, paper pulp, and biodegradable packaging. Madagascar’s Riantsoa Mialinarindra, Sakafo processes fruits and vegetables grown by small-scale farmers into traceable, nutritious food products.
Additionally, each of the remaining 6 finalists received a GoGettaz “Young Catalyst Award” of $1,000 each, recognizing their excellence and catalytic contributions to grow, transform, and positively impact Africa’s agrifood systems:
- Deborah Nzarubara – Grecom, DR Congo. Grecom specializes in the production, sale, and transformation of beekeeping products using its NYUKI TECH platform. Grecom’s platform enables apiculturists to track and manage its 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 (AB 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. 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 optimize 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 specializes 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, optimizing resource efficiency and crop yields.
Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara International and co-founder of GoGettaz, emphasized 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.”