AFRICA – The African Development Bank is calling for agribusiness plans entry submission for its AgriPitch competition, which will see the winner bag a seed funding prize of US$120,000.
The AgriPitch competition is part of the AfDB’s fourth African Youth Agripreneurs Forum (AYAF), one of the continent’s platforms for African youth in agriculture start-up scene.
It is open to youths aged 18 to 35 who hold African nationality or citizenship and who submit their application online by 23rd October.
“The COVID-19 pandemic may keep us from networking in person in 2020, however, the Bank and partners are gearing up to present a dynamic, knowledge-rich Forum online – as well as the most seed funding AgriPitch has ever awarded competitors.”
Edson Mpyisi – Coordinator of the Bank’s Enable Youth Program responsible for the event.
Selected entries will be invited to showcase their agribusiness startup plans at the AYAF to be held online for the first time this 3 -17 November, 2020.
“The African Youth Agripreneurs Forum and AgriPitch Competition has always been a high-energy gathering for young entrepreneurs in agriculture to meet, share experiences – and work the room for that next big investment,” said Edson Mpyisi, Coordinator of the Bank’s Enable Youth Program responsible for the event.
“The COVID-19 pandemic may keep us from networking in person in 2020, however, the Bank and partners are gearing up to present a dynamic, knowledge-rich Forum online – as well as the most seed funding AgriPitch has ever awarded competitors,” he added.
This year’s AYAF and AgriPitch competition is undertaken in collaboration with partners like UN Women, the African Leaders for Nutrition and the Affirmative Finance Action for Women Africa initiative.
Under the theme Driving sustainable nutrition and gender inclusivity in Africa’s agri-food systems: youth agripreneurs seize the decade, the forum intends to attract hundreds of participants from across the continent including youth agripreneurs and representatives from agribusiness companies, academia, development organizations, financial institutions and government agencies.
AYAF and AgriPitch aims to provide the knowledge, confidence, financing and networking boosts to grow their startups and make a greater impact.
“The event highlights how youth agripreneurs address nutrition and gender inclusivity while serving as entrepreneurial leaders within their communities and being involved in the agribusiness sector,” said Bank Director for Agriculture and Agro-Industry, Martin Fregene.
“AYAF and AgriPitch aims to provide the knowledge, confidence, financing and networking boosts to grow their startups and make a greater impact,” he added.
Competition winners will be named in three categories: early start-up, mature start-up and women-empowered businesses.
In addition to receiving seed funding prizes and post-competition mentoring, winners will be invited for the AYAF online DealRoom.
The DealRoom connects expansion-ready, youth-led African businesses with global investors.
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