Third Edition of Agricultural Innovation for Africa Conference Held in Accra

The third edition of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa Conference has been held in Accra, setting the stage for bold discussions on innovation, technology, and youth entrepreneurship as key drivers of food security and agricultural transformation across the continent.

The two-day conference, organised by the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) in partnership with Kosmos Energy and AGRA, convened policymakers, investors, private sector leaders, and agribusiness experts to explore how technology can empower Africa’s next generation of agri-innovators.

“The Agricultural Innovation for Africa platform was created by KIC to give young people and industry experts the opportunity to engage, network, and explore ways to transform the agricultural sector through innovation and technology,”
Mr Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director, KIC

Mr Gyan-Kesse emphasised the need for collaborative partnerships to amplify collective impact and sustain youth-driven agribusiness initiatives. He revealed that KIC currently supports 81 funded startups operating across all 16 regions of Ghana, working in partnership with universities, the Mastercard Foundation, and Kosmos Energy to drive agricultural innovation.

Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, lauded KIC’s efforts in empowering youth-led startups, stressing that government initiatives such as the School Farm Programme are designed to create awareness and employment opportunities for young people within the agricultural value chain.

Dr Betty Annan, Country Director of AGRA, praised the conference for spotlighting youth innovation, urging young entrepreneurs to complement their technical expertise with entrepreneurship development training to ensure sustainability and growth.

The event was chaired by Professor Godfred A. Bokpin, an Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, while Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, an Agronomist and Development Specialist, served as the conference provocateur, delivering a thought-provoking keynote address.

Key topics discussed included:

• Food Innovation and Product Development
• Youth at the Centre of Agricultural Transformation
• Digital Tools Transforming Food and Agriculture
• Addressing Climate Resilience in Agriculture

The conference featured masterclasses on food regulation and compliance (FDA), food preservation techniques (CSIR–Food Research Institute), and an Agribusiness Clinic led by Africa Skills Hub.

In addition, young agritech entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their businesses to investors in a special Deal Room and showcase their innovations at a marketplace exhibition.

Held under the theme “African Youth Leveraging Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems,” the conference reaffirmed the vital role of youth innovation in building a resilient and sustainable agricultural future for Africa.