KAMPALA – Heifer International is hosting the AYuTe NextGen 2025 Regional Event at Speke Resort & Conference Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala. The event brought together Africa’s brightest young Agri-tech innovators to showcase their solutions to food insecurity, climate change, and economic opportunity.

The 3-day conference theme, “AgTech Generation Rising,” reflected the bold spirit and transformative ideas shaping the future of Africa’s agriculture. Over the three days, 11 AYuTe Finalists, selected from over 100 applicants across 10 countries, will present their youth-led technologies that are already changing the lives of farmers, families, and communities.

Mr. William Matovu, Heifer International Country Director – Uganda, emphasized the importance of agriculture in Uganda. “This is a country where, according to our 2024 Census, agriculture is critical – with 61% of households engaged in crop production while 37% are involved in livestock.”

“Yet, our youth – about 70% of our population – have largely turned away from the very sector that could unlock their greatest potential. Today, as you will see through the minds and eyes of these young changemakers, we’re witnessing that truth evolve into something even more powerful – agriculture as a catalyst for technological revolution, economic empowerment, and continental transformation.”

Ms. Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International, highlighted the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystems. “Just last month, Lagos, Johannesburg, and Kampala were named among the top 20 of the world’s fastest growing and most dynamic emerging tech ecosystems,” she said.

“These rankings are not just accolades, they are proof. Proof that Africa is no longer following the global innovation story. Africa is the innovation story. Uganda’s leadership in youth empowerment, agricultural transformation, and technology-driven growth is exactly what this moment calls for, and exactly why Uganda is the ideal home for this year’s AYuTe NextGen gathering.”

The young innovators shared their experiences and challenges. Ms. Zilla Mary Arach, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at EzyAgric, discussed how her company is transforming the agricultural sector. “EzyAgric is transforming the agricultural sector by making it easy for farmers and merchants to access financing, inputs, and markets,” she said. “We’ve come a long way in almost 10 years, growing from zero revenue to 3 million in annual turnover, and from zero downloads to 400,000 smartphone users.”

Ms. Arach also shared a challenging experience with an investor. “One of the most intriguing emails we received was from an investor who liked our team and understood the challenges, but couldn’t invest due to liquidity issues,” she said.

“They also shared a reality check, stating that Agtech is a sector of broken dreams, citing lack of digital connectivity and other road challenges. However, today we’re growing strong, and I believe four key things stand out within the investment circle. There’s a complete mismatch in time frames; we’re reporting to investors in quarters, while farming is done in seasons.”

Mr. Eluid Rugut, Founder and CEO of Silo Africa, discussed the challenges of being labeled as high-risk. “Yes, we’ve been labeled as high-risk, and many investors are hesitant to engage with us,” he said. “However, agriculture and the food sector is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The question is, why are we considered high-risk? Who should bear the risk of testing new models and learning? Shouldn’t investors be willing to take on this risk and support us on our journey from a zero-revenue startup to a multi-million-dollar company?”

Mr. Moses Nyabila, CEO of ABI Development Limited, highlighted the disconnect between the abundance of capital seeking investment opportunities and the limited number of businesses that are investment-ready.

“There’s a disconnect between the abundance of capital seeking investment opportunities and the limited number of businesses that are investment-ready,” he said.

He noted, “This mismatch in expectations needs to be addressed, which is why we’re here today. As a catalytic investor, ABI invests in businesses that are ready for the next round of funding. We’ve identified a few challenges that need to be overcome. Firstly, some enterprises are too small, and we need to see more ambition. Secondly, it’s crucial to test concepts with real customers, particularly smallholders, to ensure that the solutions address their needs and can be converted into profit.”

The event was officiated by Hon. Bright Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Industry. “This event aligns with Uganda’s development agenda, the Next Gen Initiative, which supports our strategic objective of transforming from a peasant-based economy to a modern, prosperous nation within 30 years,” he said.

“Innovation, especially when driven by young people, is instrumental in shifting our agricultural sector from subsistence-based practices to commercial, technology-led systems. This is echoed in Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4), which aims to sustainably grow the economy, create jobs, and mobilize resources for national development.”

The conference is a call to action, urging young innovators to engage with real farmers, pilot and scale their innovations, and collaborate with agricultural institutions and farmer networks. The government of Uganda committed to enacting supportive policies, refining regulatory frameworks, and continuing investment in digital transformation to support agribusiness.