The EMRC-Rabobank Project Incubator Award, which rewards innovation in Africa, once again spotlighted several unique agricultural projects coming out of Africa.
Maria Odido, representing Bee Natural Uganda, was named the overall winner and received a cash prize of US$15,000 and international media attention.
Bee Natural has been producing bee related products such as honey, wax and candles in Uganda since 2007. It employs 23 beekeepers and trains them in order to improve their production methods. It then links them to equipment providers to enable them to increase and improve productivity. The business wants to diversify into other products such as the processing of carrot and pineapple jam, as well as orange marmalade and is working with Makerere University in this regard.
EMRC-Rabobank Project Incubator Award 2010
"In entering the Project Incubator Award, a company/person can get recognition for their activities and can also measure themselves against other participants and meet with people and organisations, to see if they are on the right path or not. To be selected to present your company to this great audience, whether one wins or not, gives a company leverage and recognition."
Standing out from within the crowded private sector, they have demonstrated excellence in business. Through social impact and sustainability they represent a truly innovative African private sector.
EMRC-Rabobank Project Incubator Award 2009
"The AgriBusiness 2009 brought us some much-needed business exposure. We were able to attract the attention of several organizations, some from the cashew nut sector and others not. We have also become members of the African Cashew Alliance (l’Alliance pour le Cajou Africain), which helps reinforce product quality in the production process."
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AFIF Entrepreneurship Award 2009
"This victory gives my company credibility to those who don’t know us yet. It’s an achievement that shows our commitment to the community, not to mention the obvious financial benefits. We plan to utilise this prize in two key areas: to help in expediting our goals to start packaging by the end of the year (buying the packaging materials etc.), and also to facilitate training sessions/tutorials on the benefits of cooperatives and other such models that would give local farmers more leverage in the marketplace."
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Information is the ‘food’ which feeds economic growth. Read the latest news impacting Africa’s Private Sector.
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Ensuring food security, reducing poverty by increasing the integration and regional synergies of Central Africa (Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea) is the challenge of CEMAC (Economic Community of Central African States).
Rwanda assembly begins, at the rate of 1,000 a year, with Polo and Passat. Capacity for 5,000 units is planned
Rwanda assembly begins, at the rate of 1,000 a year, with Polo and Passat. Capacity for 5,000 units is planned
Volkswagen has launched integrated mobility in Rwanda which includes local vehicle assembly, mobility services and a sales and service retail outlet called CFAO Volkswagen Rwanda.
Kenya has positioned itself as one of the most prominent startup destinations in Africa.
With the rise of innovation hubs and accelerator programs in Kenya, there has been great growth for entrepreneurs with over 600 hundred start-ups in the country.
Access to internet and a great education system are also some contributors to the increase in startups and innovation.
The World Bank said sub-Saharan Africa’s economy growth was projected to reach 3.1 percent in 2018, and an average of 3.6 percent between 2019 and 2020.
Addis Ababa — Information technology is being utilised more than ever to improve agriculture in East Africa.
The world talks a lot about the digital revolution, but few connect it to the coming agriculture revolution, especially in Africa. Digital solutions have huge potential for helping farmers boost productivity and connect to financial tools and markets around the world.