NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s agritech innovators took center stage on June 11, as the winners of the AYuTe Africa NextGen competition were announced at its inaugural gathering in Kigali, Rwanda.
The event, themed “Reimagining Africa’s Agriculture in the Next 50 Years,” celebrated young agritech pioneers and agripreneurs from across Africa.
Kenya’s Rising Star: Silo Africa
AYuTe Africa NextGen, an initiative by Heifer International—a global non-profit dedicated to ending hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture—honored three outstanding young agritech entrepreneurs, with Kenya’s Silo Africa securing second place.
Kenya’s Silo Africa, founded by Eliud Rugut, emerged as a significant winner.
This innovative agritech company offers digitized grain silos that help smallholder farmers reduce post-harvest losses and protect their households from climate impacts.
Silo Africa’s win underscores Kenya’s leadership in leveraging technology to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience.
Celebrating All Winners
First Place: Thur Biotech
Thur Biotech from Ethiopia, founded by Samson Alemu, clinched the top spot.
The company produces sustainable bacterial biofertilizers that serve as a superior alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Third Place: Extension Africa
Nigeria’s Extension Africa, founded by Tajuddeen Yahaya, secured third place.
The company delivers data-driven private extension services, transforming rural youth into an agribusiness extension workforce that connects smallholder farmers to global markets, business advisory services, and sustainable farming methods.
Kenya’s Role in a Tech-Driven Agricultural Revolution
The AYuTe NextGen event attracted a distinguished audience, including Rwanda’s cabinet members, global and regional stakeholders in agriculture and youth development.
Rwanda’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Honourable Eric Rwigamba, emphasized the essential role of youth and technology in reshaping Africa’s agricultural future.
“We cannot reimagine the future of Africa’s agriculture without young people or technology. I am inspired by the innovations of all the 15 AYuTe NextGen finalists and look forward to seeing their impact on the continent,” Rwigamba remarked.
Presenting the awards, Heifer International President and CEO Surita Sandosham encouraged the winners to see themselves as architects of a transformed agricultural landscape.
“At Heifer International, we are energized by the tremendous potential we see in young African innovators. Their creativity and dedication to developing cutting-edge solutions that empower smallholder farmers in Africa,” Surita Said.
Kenya’s Silo Africa, along with the other top winners, joins an elite group of AYuTe Champions, including Hello Tractor, Heifer’s partner in its Mechanization for Africa initiative.
This program has achieved global acclaim for its tech-led pay-as-you-go tractor rentals, significantly increasing farmers’ incomes and creating a vibrant agribusiness ecosystem.
