RiceAfrika Technologies is a startup with a big vision: to build an Africa that can feed itself and the world.
It’s a tech-driven agriculture optimisation service provider that connects smallholders with the equipment and materials they need to increase food production and tap into a structured market. And with such critical ambitions, it’s probably no surprise that RiceAfrika won the Technology for Humanity award at LEAP 2023.
We asked Ibrahim Maigari (Founder and CEO at RiceAfrika Technologies) what happened next – and what advice he’d give to YOU if you’re thinking about pitching your startup in 2024’s Rocket Fuel Competition.
“We started RiceAfrika Technologies to solve the problems of hunger and food insecurity in Africa that is as a result of the under-productivity of our smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers produce 80% of the food we eat in Africa – and we thought any effort to solve the perennial hunger (over 300m people are facing severe hunger in Africa according to the UN/FAO) in Africa must start by improving the productivity of the smallholder farmers.
“This underproductivity starts from a lack of access to mechanisation (in land preparation and harvesting), lack of access to high-yielding seeds, lack of environmentally good chemicals, lack of farm extension services, lack of affordable fertiliser, and lack of access to a structured market.
“We started the company to create a solution to these problems.”
“We entered the competition because we wanted validation of our business model from experts; and the global recognition and support of the LEAP platform. We also needed the cash prize to boost our operations.”
“Humbled, because it is a privilege to be selected among hundreds of innovative companies from all over the world. It is also an inspiration for us to do more, as well as a validation that we are on the right track. Beyond the cash prize, for our company to be selected as the best in the category of Technology for Humanity is something we will never forget.”
“Since winning the competition we’ve achieved so many things, apart from the global recognition. Here are some specific milestones:
Our goal is to extend the fertiliser loans to 2,500 farmers owning 1,350 hectares of farmland in 2023 in Nigeria.
“We are expanding to Rwanda before the end of 2023, and Ghana by the Q1 of 2024, God willing. We’re updating our FarmEASY mobile platform to include more features. We will import more essential farm equipment like threshers, land levellers, tillers, and harvesters that can handle other crops like maize, sorghum, and soya beans. And we’re also exploring the importation of more spare parts.”
“They should develop a unique business model with a clear and measurable impact. They should have a thorough understanding of their business and/or product. They should be confident and master the art of pitching under pressure.
“And also know that impossible does not exist. If we can do it, you can do it too.”
Thanks to Ibrahim Maigari at RiceAfrika Technologies. Be a part of the 2024 Rocket Fuel Competition.
Liked this article? Check out our food event, happening on 29-31 October, 2023 in Riyadh, InFlavour.
InFlavour is the Saudi Government's official trade event for the global F&B ecosystem, meaning it is the only event the industry needs to attend for legitimate connections and expansion in to the region. Over 40,000 attendees, 600+ Exhibitors, 200+ Speakers (and celebrities) and 200+ Investors will come together in October to do more than just trade, working towards a more efficient, sustainable and profitable future for food.
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