The Kofi Annan Foundation has officially opened the application process for the second edition of its prestigious Award for Innovation in Africa. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with esteemed institutions such as the Austrian Federal Chancellery and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) Innovation Accelerator, seeks to foster innovative digital solutions in the realms of food security and agri-tech across the African continent.
Austria, recognizing the substantial potential for innovations in Africa, is keen on providing support for the continent as the program is designed to enhance the impact of agriculture, aligning with the overarching goal of propelling progress across the continent.
Notably, the call for applications is extended to all African social entrepreneurs with purpose-driven enterprises, emphasizing measurable social impact and a sustainable business model.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must be social entrepreneurs offering digital or technology-driven solutions tailored for communities in Africa. The proposed innovations should align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger, with a focus on food security and improved nutrition.
The innovations should address one or more of the following priority topics:
- Inclusion of marginalized groups in food security.
- Improved nutrition for women.
- Circular solutions and the reduction of post-harvest losses.
- A concentrated effort on SDG Zero Hunger, Goal 2 through technology.
In light of the recent UN report on the “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023,” which highlights the urgent need to transform agri-food systems globally, the Kofi Annan Foundation’s program assumes added significance.
The report highlights the persistent elevation of global hunger levels, projecting that nearly 600 million people will experience chronic undernourishment by 2030, hence, the need for formidable actions in achieving the SDG target to eradicate hunger, particularly in Africa.
Africa, at the forefront of the digital economy with its burgeoning and youthful population, presents a unique landscape for innovation. The continent currently boasts one of the world’s highest rates of entrepreneurship, with women in Africa being twice as likely to initiate businesses compared to their counterparts.
Recognizing that not all societal and social issues can be exclusively addressed at the government level, there is a pressing need for digital and innovative ideas to tackle the challenges in the agricultural sector.