The Agribusiness Idea Competition: This focuses on selected crop value chains namely staple foods (cassava, maize or rice) or Vegetable cash crops (such as tomatoes, cabbages or potatoes). The contestant is required to identify a bottleneck or problem that makes the particular crop’s value chain inefficient and offer a replicable practical solution that can be invested in as a business. 

The best 25 contestants will each receive a USD$ 1,000 grant to test the viability of their idea (proof of concept) and converge in Nairobi in August for a pre-Gala forum. The top 3 will head for Finals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to receive awards of USD$10,000, USD$7,500 AND USD$5,000 respectively.

The Agribusiness Communication Competition: This focuses on messages that encourage African youth to invest in agriculture related ventures. Contestants are required to develop a multimedia agricultural messaging that targets the youth. The messaging should have as its objective how to make agriculture “Cool” among African youth. Each contestant is required to submit a 3 minute video clip that promotes agriculture as a cool option for the youth to venture in.

The contestants of best 10 entries will be hosted for a fully paid for pre-Gala Forum in Nairobi. The top 3 agricultural communication entrants will proceed for Finals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where each will receive awards of USD$ 5,000, USD$ 3,500 and USD$ 2,000.

The top winners will have a chance to mingle with some of Africa’s most influential thought leaders receive due recognition and internship opportunities in leading agribusiness organizations. For more information please visit the website http://www.agribiz4africa.com/.