Accra: The third edition of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference has been held in Accra, charting the course for opportunities in innovation, technology, and youth entrepreneurship to enhance food security. The two-day session provided the platform for Africa’s next generation of innovators to be inspired to take the future of the continent’s food security into their hands.
According to Ghana News Agency, Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), in partnership with Kosmos Energy and AGRA, hosted the event, bringing on board policymakers, investors, industry experts, private sector, and agribusiness leaders. Mr. Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, the KIC Executive Director, noted that the AIA conference platform has been created by KIC to give young people and industry experts the opportunity to engage, network, and gain insights into opportunities for transforming the agricultural sector through innovation and technology that support the growth of youth-led agri-MSMEs and start-ups.
He underscored the importance of collaborative partnerships within and across industries to support youth innovations. Mr. Gyan-Kesse emphasized that KIC remains open to partnerships that amplify collective impact, empower young people, strengthen agribusinesses, and promote sustainable growth. He highlighted that KIC’s programs had already supported agritech entrepreneurs and impacted thousands of young people across Ghana, with 81 funded startups in the 16 regions of Ghana, working together with partner universities and colleges.
Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Ghana, commended KIC for prioritizing innovation to transform the agri-industry and empowering start-ups and young entrepreneurs to grow and scale. He highlighted the strides the government was making in the agro sector to create direct and indirect jobs, mentioning policy initiatives like the School Farm to create awareness for young people on job opportunities.
Dr. Betty Annan, Country Director of AGRA, lauded the conference’s focus on youth-led innovation and encouraged the youth to take advantage of entrepreneurship development training. The conference was chaired by Professor Godfred A. Bokpin, with Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Foster providing thought-provoking notes to start off the proceedings.
Topics discussed at the program included Food Innovation and Product Development, Youth at the Centre of Agricultural Transformation, Digital Tools Transforming Food and Agriculture, and Addressing Resilient Climate Change. Key highlights of the event included masterclasses on Food Regulation and Compliance, Food Preservation and Storage Techniques, and an Agribusiness Clinic.
Young start-ups seeking potential investors had the opportunity to prove themselves in the Deal Room, pitching their businesses to potential investors. The conference also hosted a marketplace exhibition of start-up innovations, products, and services. The theme of the conference was ‘African Youth Leveraging Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems’, supported by companies such as Promasidor, Evivi Foods, New Age, Complete Farmer, Qualiplast Ghana, and Blue Skies Company.