As the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition 2024 draws to a close, we are excited to introduce our esteemed panel of judges, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. The #Top12 Finalists will be evaluated on various criteria including innovation, impact potential, scalability, financial sustainability, and the ability to contribute to the development of the agri-food sector in Africa. The judges will also be looking to award ventures that make a significant impact in one or more of the following areas: rural livelihoods, nutrition, climate, technology, gender, natural resources, and job creation.
Ada Osakwe
Managing Partner Agrolay Ventures, AGRA Board Member, and Youth Ambassador for Generation Africa (Nigeria)
Ada Osakwe is a Nigeria-based entrepreneur and investor with a formidable career spanning over 20 years across infrastructure, consumer retail, food, and agriculture. She has seamlessly transitioned from investment banking, development finance, and private equity into public service and entrepreneurship. As the Founder of Agrolay Venture, Ada has made angel investments in 16 early-stage, high-growth African companies. She is also the visionary behind Nuli Foods, a thriving restaurant chain in Nigeria that champions sustainable agriculture by exclusively using produce from smallholder farmers.
Fina Kayisanabo
Private Sector Development Team Lead, Rwanda’s Economic Growth Office USAID (Rwanda)
Fina Kayisanabo leads the Private Sector Development Team at Rwanda’s Economic Growth Office under USAID, where she plays a crucial role in driving Rwanda’s economic development agenda. With a focus on empowering the private sector, Fina’s work ensures that strategic partnerships and innovative programs are implemented to foster sustainable growth and development across Rwanda. Her leadership is pivotal in aligning Rwanda’s private sector strategies with national economic goals.
Jane Baldwin
Head of Agrifood System, Pan African Programs, Mastercard Foundation (Canada)
Jane Baldwin is an international development leader specializing in transforming agri-food systems. With over 15 years of experience, she has led multi-stakeholder partnerships focusing on youth employment and entrepreneurship across sub-Saharan Africa. At the Mastercard Foundation, Jane heads the Agrifood System for Pan-African Programs, where she continues to champion initiatives that empower young people in the agricultural sector. Her expertise is rooted in a strong background in psychology and public health, driving impactful change across the continent.
Nana Amoah
Director of Gender, Youth, and Inclusiveness, AGRA (Ghana)
Nana Amoah is AGRA’s Director of Gender, Youth, and Inclusiveness, bringing over 15 years of experience in youth-centric and gender-lens strategy design. As a development economist, Nana excels in program management for inclusive economic development and institutional capacity building. Her role at AGRA involves orchestrating collaborations between continental and country program teams to ensure that gender and youth considerations are embedded in all initiatives. Nana’s work is critical in driving AGRA’s mission to enhance food security and agricultural prosperity across Africa.
Tchegoun Koba
Global Technical Advisor, Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship, SNV Netherlands Development Organization (Senegal)
Tchegoun Koba is a seasoned applied labour economist from Benin, with over 15 years of experience in youth development across Africa. As SNV’s Global Technical Advisor for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Tchegoun leads efforts in fostering youth inclusion and entrepreneurial innovation in the agrifood sector. His expertise spans roles at Save the Children International and the UNDP, where he focused on youth empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected areas. Tchegoun is committed to advancing the SDGs, particularly in areas like financial inclusion, decent employment, and climate action.
Luis Alfredo Pérez
Senior Vice President Africa, Yara International (Guatemala)
Luis Alfredo Pérez, currently serving as Senior Vice President of Africa at Yara International, is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. His journey with Yara began in his home country of Guatemala, and he has since held key leadership roles across Latin America, Spain, and the Philippines. In these positions, he led significant initiatives, including collaborations to support rice smallholder farmers. His impact in the agrifood sector expanded further with the launch of the Action initiative across East Africa in 2020. Luis holds a technical degree in Plastics Technology from the TGM Institute in Vienna, Austria, and an Economics degree from UFM University in Guatemala.
These exceptional judges are set to bring their vast knowledge and insights to the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition 2024, ensuring that the best of Africa’s agripreneurial talent is recognized and rewarded.
GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Finale Competition Pitch
- Date: Tuesday, 3 September 2024
- Time: 11:30 am CAT
- Location: Youth Dome, Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
Follow @GoGettazAfrica on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube) and participate in their journey towards transforming agriculture in Africa.
GoGettaz Co-Founders:
Yara International: https://www.yara.com/
Econet: https://www.econetafrica.com/
GoGettaz Partners:
Africa Food Systems Forum: https://agrf.org/
Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa: https://agra.org/
Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions: http://www.sacau.org/
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation https://www.snv.org/
U.S. Agency for International Development: https://www.usaid.gov/
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