Ana Paula de la O Campos’ Post

Harnessing Technology and Innovation: Africa’s Pathway to Sustainability In a compelling call to action, leaders across the African continent have voiced a unified message: investing in science, technology, and innovation is essential for building a prosperous, just, and sustainable future. The Sixth African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, served as a platform for this pivotal discussion. The forum, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and other partners, emphasized the role of innovative solutions in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. Ethiopia’s Minister for Technology and Innovation, Belete Molla, highlighted the nation’s initiatives in transforming the food system, focusing on agricultural productivity, self-sufficiency, and climate change resilience. These efforts are part of Ethiopia’s broader strategy, “Digital Ethiopia 2025,” which aims to leverage the youth’s innovative potential to create employment opportunities. Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme Support at the ECA, underscored the importance of investing in human capital, research and development, and the adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and genomics. These technologies have the power to transform lives, lifting millions out of extreme poverty and advancing the well-being of households across the continent. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, Africa’s commitment to science and technology stands as a beacon of hope. It is a reminder that through innovation and strategic investment, we can overcome challenges and usher in an era of sustainable growth and equity. Join the conversation on how we can further support and invest in Africa’s technological renaissance. Follow me 👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼Shikhar for a sustainable empowering drive. #SustainableDevelopment #TechInnovation #Africa #STIForum #DigitalTransformation Original Source https://lnkd.in/dUVbHqHW

Transforming Africa's Agriculture through Innovation. As an AgriTechPrenuer, I'm passionate about harnessing innovation to drive sustainable farming, food security, and economic growth across Africa. My Mission: Empowering Youth, Women, and Refugees. I believe that agriculture can be a powerful tool for social change. That's why I'm dedicated to empowering marginalized communities, including youth, women, and refugees, to become key players in Africa's agricultural transformation. Join My Journey! Together, let's leverage technology, entrepreneurship, and community-driven initiatives to: 1. Boost agricultural productivity and food security 2. Enhance economic opportunities for marginalized groups 3. Foster sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices 4. Promote innovative solutions for Africa's agricultural challenges Key Focus Areas: 1. Digital Agriculture: Leveraging tech for precision farming, market access, and supply chain optimization 2. Sustainable Farming: Promoting climate-smart agriculture, organic farming, and regenerative practices 3. Youth Empowerment: Providing training, mentorship, and funding for young agricultural entrepreneurs 4. Women's Economic Empowerment: Supporting women-led agricultural initiatives and enterprises Get Involved! Let's collaborate to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous agricultural sector in Africa. Share your ideas, experiences, and expertise in the comments below. Stay Updated! Follow me for regular updates on my journey, insights from the field, and opportunities for collaboration. #AgriTech #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #YouthEmpowerment #WomenInAg #RefugeeSupport #AfricaRising #InnovationForImpact

Small and medium agricultural enterprises (agri-SMEs) are Africa’s largest employer and economic engine—and the key to transforming food systems and improving food security for the continent. Yet three out of four agri-SMEs can’t access formal bank financing, and are too large for microfinance, creating an estimated $100 billion gap in unmet demand for financing. How can donor governments, development finance institutions, African governments, and the private sector catalyze action to strengthen food value chains in Africa through innovative financing, and better support small and medium agricultural enterprises? This was mostly discussed at the World Economic Forum in 2023. This year, 2024, several projects are being implemented by Development programs. The projects include addressing gender gaps and youth employment, and climate wiseness. There is hope to see positive results in the next few years.

🌍 How can we nourish a growing population while generating economic opportunities and preserving our natural assets? 🌱 This critical question was central to the GFCC's 2023 "Innovate the Sustainable Future" Call-to-Action and remains a key focus in our ongoing discussions for the 2024 Call-to-Action. This year, we are exploring sustainable growth and how to incorporate more people into the economy and distribute prosperity across social groups and demographics to ensure long-term sustainability. 🚀 Join us for an online expert session where we'll explore innovative strategies and technologies shaping the future of food and agriculture. We'll hear from experts in the UK and Zimbabwe about the groundbreaking work happening in their regions, providing a global perspective on this pressing issue. ▶ If you are a GFCC Member or Fellow, feel free to learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eKpwRpqS ▶ If you are not yet a GFCC Member or Fellow, feel free to learn more about how to become one here: https://lnkd.in/eUnrB-Jd #Sustainability #Innovation #Agriculture #EconomicGrowth

As the Post-Malabo roadmap begins to take shape, the question remains: What innovative strategies can African countries adopt to ensure every dollar spent drives meaningful impact? 💡 We look forward to welcoming @Myrtho Vlastou to share insights from Incofin cvso on their work in food systems transformation and how they’re driving sustainable change in agricultural sectors in Colombia, India, Kenya, and Cambodia.🌱 Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore solutions for transforming food systems and maximizing the impact from every investment to achieve #GoodFood4All. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4fWZJZ6 #RoadtoKampala | #FoodSystems | #Agriculture | #Investment #Sustainability | #Africa | The Consortium of African Youth in Agriculture and Climate Change (CAYACC) | Carin Smaller | Oxfam in Southern Africa | AGRA

❝Developing thriving rural economies that provide good food and decent jobs has a stabilizing power.❞ said IFAD President Alvaro Lario heading to the unprecedented G7 Agriculture Forum for Africa.   💡An innovation of the Italian #G7 Presidency, the forum aims to foster a dialogue between G7 and African nations on the opportunities and challenges in Africa’s agriculture sector. ➕Small-scale farming supplies up to 70% of the food in Africa and provides livelihood opportunities to hundreds of millions of people, playing a key role in the continent’s food security. 🔢Estimates show that economic growth in agriculture is two to three times more effective at reducing poverty and food insecurity than growth generated in other sectors. 🟢As millions of young people enter the job market in Africa each year, President Lario will also underline how digitization, technologies, and access to finance can make rural areas more attractive to young people and help them create small businesses along food value chains. ➡ https://ow.ly/JbOw50Tv2wW

Zimbabwe's Agriculture expert Dr Mano will be sharing nuggets in this session.Deep practical innovative strategies will be discussed!!!

Africa's agricultural transformation isn't a distant aspiration—it's unfolding now, driven by the ingenuity of our youth. Their ideas, however, require more than applause; it demands strategic investment and unwavering support.   At the recently concluded 2nd Interactive Session on Youth & Women in Agriculture in Nigeria, I had the privilege of engaging with those who inspire me most-- brilliant young women and men. I met innovators like Idoko Adole Paul of Soilless Farm Lab EYiA Farm, a company using cutting-edge aeroponics technology to grow crops without soil and working to increase automation in farming. This is just one of such innovations that can help beat global hunger that affects 783 million people, with Africa accounting for 288 million.   The African Development Bank Group is committed to nurturing such potential of youth on the continent. We believe that investing in our youth is investing in Africa's prosperity. Their resilience, determination, and innovative spirit are the seeds from which our agricultural revolution will grow. It is for this reason our Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) envisions "a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and integrated Africa," with a strong focus on youth and women. Building on our Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) Strategy, we aim to create 25 million jobs and equip 50 million young people with essential skills over the next decade. Our ENABLE Youth initiative is turning words into action, with $490 million invested across 15 countries, benefiting over 40,800 youth and creating 64,000+ jobs. This is not just about discussing youth in agriculture – it's about actively investing in Africa's future--the youth and women.   More on Soilless Farm Lab: https://sfarmlab.com/   #AfDBinNigeria #IntegrateAfrica #YouthinAgric #Soillessfarm

Women: The Key to Africa's Agricultural Transformation At Walisha Foundation, we recognize that women are the backbone of African agriculture, producing up to 70% of the continent's food. Yet, these remarkable women face significant challenges in accessing resources and markets, hindering their potential and the growth of the agricultural sector. Our mission is to empower women farmers like Constance, a resilient mother from rural Rwanda, who tends her wheat fields with her baby strapped to her back, laboring for hours under an unrelenting sun. The work is never ending and time consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. We believe there are better ways for Constance to tend to both her family and her wheat field while seeing them both prosper. We're revolutionizing the narrative of “business as usual” for these female farmers by providing: 1. Financial literacy training and access to microloans 💰 2. High-quality seeds and sustainable farming inputs 🌱 3. Direct connections to profitable markets 🏪 4. Mobile technology for real-time agricultural information 📱 By investing in women farmers, we're not just improving individual livelihoods; we're catalyzing sustainable change across entire communities. When women farmers are empowered, they can increase their income substantially, directly impacting family nutrition, education, and overall well-being. As business leaders and professionals, we have a unique opportunity to support this transformation. Your involvement, whether through partnerships, mentorship, or financial support, can help us scale our impact and create lasting change in African agriculture. Join us in building a future where women farmers thrive, driving economic growth and food security across the continent. Together, we can cultivate change and grow a more prosperous Africa. #WomenInAg #EmpowerHer #SustainableAgriculture #AfricanDevelopment To learn more about how you can contribute to this vital mission, visit our website or connect with us directly.