UM6P, IFA Launch Africa Agtech Startup Showcase Competition

Rabat – Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), a world leader in sustainable agriculture, launched today the Africa Agtech Startup Showcase competition.

With the participation of international startup projects, the contest’s goal is to help connect entrepreneurs with potential partners and investors to address one of Africa’s agricultural challenges, thus contributing to the broader goal of achieving sustainable agriculture worldwide, the two parties said in a joint statement.

“This initiative stems from our unwavering commitment to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship on the African continent and contribute to its inclusive and green development across all areas of activity, including agriculture,” noted UM6P President Hicham El Habti.

Given its aspiration to be a globally respected contest for startups, this worldwide competition is open to entrepreneurs with ideas of creative solutions to the challenges facing African countries as they navigate emerging worldwide disruptions in the Agriculture sector and vie to achieve food security in the near future.

Startups from around the world can apply online in one of five categories: soil health and plant nutrition, advisory and information services, market access solutions, supply chain services, and financial services, noted the joint statement, adding that the deadline for applications is November 30, 2022.

According to the contest’s website, startups can still apply even if they are not in one of the five listed categories, as long as they are developing innovative Agtech solutions to address one of the difficulties confronting African agriculture.

The IFA and UM6P examiners will evaluate proposals based on competition criteria such as impact, innovation, and relevance to African smallholder farmers, the statement explained.

The results of the contest will be announced in May 2023 at the IFA Annual Conference, the fertilizer industry’s largest event, and the winning startup will earn a €20,000 ($19,995) reward.