A total of eight dynamic African young women-led businesses emerged as winners of the 2023 YouthAdapt challenge.
Each business will receive grant funding of up to $100,000, as well as comprehensive mentorship and coaching as part of a 12-month accelerator program.
The winning ventures focus on sectors affected by climate change: agriculture, energy efficiency, disaster risk management, water resources, and biodiversity conservation:
Deborah Nzarubara (ETS Grencom), Democratic Republic of Congo: Leveraging big data, ETS Grencom provides real-time weather data, bolstering agricultural productivity and supporting pollinating bees for sustainable farming practices.
Mirriam Chapi (Chapi Core Tech), Zambia: Through the EaseOn Track app, Chapi Core Tech has empowered over 5,000 women farmers, facilitating clean energy adoption and enhancing agricultural output.
Eddah Wanjiru (Arinifu Technologies), Kenya: The Smart Brooder & Kuku Smart innovation utilise Internet of Things technology, offering poultry solutions and operational insights, benefitting Kenya’s farming community.
Fatoumata Diaby (Jeune Agro-Innovatour), Mali: Jeune Agro-Innovatour’s E-Compost software transforms invasive water hyacinth into premium compost, championing sustainable agricultural practices.
Beth Koigi (Majik Water Technologies), Kenya: Majik Water Technologies pioneers atmospheric water harvesting, providing vital water resources to drought-stricken farming communities in Kenya.
Lucy Wangari (Onion Doctor Limited), Kenya: Using the Internet of Things and machine learning, Onion Doctor Limited monitors onion crops, optimising sustainability and profitability for Kenyan farmers.
Daniella Ushindi Viruvuswagha (ETS Chemchem Agro), DRC: Their ApiConnect app employs Machine Learning for strategic beehive placement, significantly boosting honey production in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Stephanie Meltus (Green Eden Farms), Nigeria: Green Eden Farms utilise Scaregrow technology to offer real-time insights, enhancing productivity and resilience in Nigerian agriculture.
The focus of this 2023 challenge was on female-owned enterprises pioneering Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, virtual reality, robotics, Internet of Things, quantum computing, additive manufacturing, blockchain, and fifth-generation wireless for climate adaptation.
About YouthADAPT
Jointly organised by the African Development Bank Group and the Global Center on Adaptation, and supported by the Africa Climate Change Fund, YouthADAPT is an annual competition for young entrepreneurs leading micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in Africa with innovative climate change adaptation solutions. Since its launch in 2021, the YouthADAPT initiative has provided more than $5 million to 33 young entrepreneurs from 19 African nations.