KAMPALA, UGANDA – Africa’s brightest young agri-tech innovators are heading to Kampala for the AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology) NextGen 2025 Conference, taking place from June 17 to 19. This high-impact event, created and organized by Heifer International, is a flagship platform designed by youth, for youth, where technology meets agriculture and the continent’s most promising agri-tech entrepreneurs take center stage right here in Kampala.
With the theme “AgTech Generation Rising,” the 2025 conference will bring together young innovators, investors, policymakers, and development partners. It’s a clear call to recognize and support the game-changing solutions Africa’s young minds are building to revolutionize food systems.
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Africa faces a significant challenge: it has the fastest-growing population globally, projected to reach 4.3 billion by 2100. Over 60% of its population is under 25, making it home to the world’s fastest-growing youth demographic. Simultaneously, the continent’s food system is stressed by climate change, market volatility, and outdated infrastructure. Young people often struggle to access capital, mentorship, and viable markets in agriculture, and many view the sector as old-fashioned and unprofitable. This leads to a skills shortage in a field vital for continental food security.
AYuTe is Heifer International’s strategic response to these critical issues. By focusing on youth-led innovation, the initiative redefines agriculture as a modern, profitable, and tech-enabled industry. It positions young Africans not as mere beneficiaries, but as the actual architects of Africa’s agricultural renaissance.
The 2025 AYuTe NextGen conference follows an intense, continent-wide competition that attracted over 100 applicants from 10 countries. After rigorous technical assessments in Lagos and Nairobi, 11 finalists emerged. These innovators will pitch their climate-smart, market-ready solutions live before a distinguished panel of investors, policymakers, and ecosystem enablers. They’ll have the chance to secure catalytic seed funding, mentorship, and a place in the innovation ecosystem provided by Heifer and its strategic partners. The solutions on display, from drone technology to AI-driven analytics, truly reflect the ingenuity, passion, and drive of Africa’s next generation.
“This is the AgTech generation rising, ready, capable, and already leading,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President for Africa Programs, Heifer International. “With AYuTe NextGen, we are spotlighting youth as the true architects of Africa’s agricultural future and giving them the tools and partnerships they need to scale solutions that build resilient, inclusive food systems.”
Dayo Aduroja, Africa Youth and Innovation Lead at Heifer International, added that young people are proving Africa’s agriculture can be both innovative and profitable. “This year’s competition generated many bold, creative solutions from across the continent. The conference provides a platform where ideas meet opportunity, and solutions gain the capital and support needed to scale.”
What makes AYuTe NextGen unique is its focus on youth leadership at every level. This isn’t a conference where young people are on the sidelines; they are the speakers, designers, moderators, and creators. Interactive forums, fireside chats, and investor conversations will be led by youth, tackling issues from digital disruption and climate resilience to policy reform and inclusive financing. These are authentic, unfiltered conversations designed to spark investment and scale innovation.
The conference matters for several reasons:
- For Youth:It’s a rare opportunity to showcase ideas, learn from peers, and connect with partners who believe in their potential.
- For Investors:It provides access to pipeline-ready innovations and the next wave of AgTech startups shaping Africa’s food economy.
- For Policymakers:It offers a firsthand look at what youth-led innovation can achieve with the right policies and ecosystem support.
Now in its fourth year, AYuTe NextGen has supported dozens of startups across Africa. Their innovative solutions have impacted more than 650,000 direct beneficiaries and over 1.2 million indirect beneficiaries across the continent. Past winners like Thrive Agric (Nigeria), Thur Biotech (Ethiopia), and Digicow (Kenya) are scaling their businesses and bringing transformative change to smallholder communities.
The 2024 Ugandan winner of the country-level competition, Assumpta Nakalema, developed a solar-powered egg incubator that is already reducing post-harvest losses and energy dependency for poultry farmers. As she puts it: “The AYuTe NextGen platform doesn’t just identify innovations, it builds the ecosystem needed for sustained growth and impact.”
Ifedi further acknowledged the support of Heifer International’s existing partners and called for increased collaboration among stakeholders to enable youth-led agricultural development. She urged investors, funders, and governments to recognize that supporting young innovators today means securing Africa’s food future tomorrow.
“To Africa’s young innovators, your time is now. Step forward with your vision. The continent is ready. To investors, policymakers, and funders, be part of this movement. The future of African agriculture is tech-driven, youth-led, and unfolding in real time. Let us work together to co-create an inclusive, resilient food future,” Ifedi concluded.
