EDC and Mastercard Foundation Award Grants to 12 Female Agro Entrepreneurs

In an effort to foster innovation in the agricultural value chain and create new opportunities for young female entrepreneurs, the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, in collaboration with GEN Nigeria and the Mastercard Foundation, has enhanced the Agro-Hack Challenge initiative by awarding grants to twelve female-led agro firms in Nigeria.

At the recently concluded 5th edition of the Agro-Hack Challenge held at the EDC office, All Green Limited clinched the top prize of one million Naira (₦1,000,000). Glorious Farm Gate secured the second position, receiving seven hundred and fifty thousand Naira (₦750,000), while Vickey Goshen Eco Farm emerged as the second runner-up with a prize of five hundred thousand Naira (₦500,000).

Additionally, nine other firms were awarded one hundred thousand Naira (₦100,000) each for their participation in the challenge.

The participating firms, representing the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, included Market AI, Juvison Enterprise, Glorious Farm Gate, Elafagon Nigeria Limited, Vickey Goshen Eco Farm, Yar Galadimas Business Empire, Sehaj Energy Resource, Mrs. Muna Rice Shield, Triple A, Farm Box, Awari Olounge Omode, and All Green Ivy Limited.

L-R: Head Alumni Relations and Support Services, Member Enterprise Development Centre Management Board, Dr. Nnenna Ugwu; Founder/Group Managing Director, Agroinfo Tech, Okediji Ayooluwajoba; CEO, Alon Green Recycling, Oludolapo Olusanmoku; and Coordinator, Lagos Agrinnovation Club, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food System, Funmi Omoyele; during the Agrohack media conference held in Lagos

Speaking at the pitch session, Dr. Nnena Ugwu, Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services and a member of the EDC Management Board, emphasized the importance of the initiative. She stated, “This event is organized to see how they can help to address innovative ideas across the agricultural value chain and help accelerate and create new opportunities for these very young Nigerians, particularly the female-led agro value chain companies.”

She further explained, “The programme was initially designed for both male and female-led agro businesses, but this one is only for female-led agro businesses. It is a segment that we are interested in because women are not really interested in agricultural business, and to encourage them, we have to design a programme to address their needs.”

Participants of the Agro-Hack Challenge undergo various accelerator programmes, including boot camps and mentoring sessions, equipping them with the necessary business support and strategies to navigate challenges in the agro value chain both in Nigeria and globally.

Organized by EDC and GEN Nigeria in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the Agro-Hack Challenge aims to empower and transform young female entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools and financial support needed to thrive in the agricultural sector.