The State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Lt Col (Rtd) Dr. Bright Rwamirama, has urged young innovators, investors, and policymakers to co-create a transformative future for African agriculture powered by technology and youth leadership.
He made the remarks on Tuesday as he officially opened the three-day AYuTe NextGen 2025 Conference ongoing at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
In his remarks, Minister Rwamirama emphasised Uganda’s strong commitment to youth inclusion in agriculture through policy, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
“Uganda has shown unwavering commitment to youth engagement in agriculture through policy frameworks and strategic initiatives. One such effort is the National Strategy for Youth Employment in Agriculture which reinforces our alignment with broader continental frameworks,” Rwamirama said.
He further pledged continued government support for technology adoption, youth entrepreneurship, and an enabling regulatory environment, stressing that youth-led innovation is key to transforming the sector:
“Our Constitution mandates the state to stimulate agricultural, industrial, and technological advancement. As such, we pledge continued government support to strengthen the regulatory environment and encourage technology adoption and youth entrepreneurship.” the minister stated.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Rwamirama noted that the conference is more than a dialogue, stating: "It is a call to action. To young innovators: Engage with the real needs of real farmers in real communities. Use Uganda’s enabling environment to pilot and scale your innovations,”
Running until Thursday, and organised by Heifer International, the AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology) NextGen Conference is a launchpad for youth-led innovations reshaping Africa’s agriculture.
The conference is showcasing bold young agri-innovators from across the continent, presenting scalable, tech-driven solutions under the themes: Access to Finance, Access to Markets, and Climate-Smart Agriculture.
The conference also coincides with AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda 2025, a national competition where innovators will share Shs222 million in cash grants, mentorship, incubation, and visibility.
*Real Innovations, Real Impact*
Day one saw the first cohort of innovators pitch directly to a panel of investors and industry leaders.
The innovators included; Baraka Chijenga of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa, Caleb Edwards of WamiAgro, Nana Opoku Agyeman-Prempeh of Grow For Me Africa.
Others were Abrhame Endrias of Green Agro Solution (Lersha App), and Riches Attai of Winich Farms.
According to the organisers, these are not just concepts, but real-world solutions addressing the needs of smallholder farmers across Africa, from Ghana and Kenya to Nigeria and Uganda.
In her keynote address, Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International, praised Uganda as an ideal host and a growing innovation hub.
“Uganda is the perfect stage for the youth movement that is rising, and Kampala sits at the heart of one of Africa’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems,” Sandosham said.
She stressed that the AgTech Generation is already shaping food systems and urged stakeholders to invest more deeply in youth-led solutions.
“Africa is no longer following the global innovation story. Africa is the innovation story. The AgTech generation does not need our permission, they need our partnership," Sandosham noted.
William Matovu, Heifer International’s Country Director for Uganda, echoed the transformative power of youth-led agriculture, highlighting that 61% of Ugandan households are engaged in crop farming, and that the youth demographic, making up nearly 70% of the population, is now turning toward agriculture with renewed vision.
“When Heifer first planted roots in Uganda two decades ago, we believed sustainable agriculture could transform lives. Today, we see agriculture becoming a catalyst for technological revolution and economic empowerment,” Matovu highlighted.
He emphasized that AYuTe NextGen is more than a competition, but a catalyst where youth leadership meets strategic partnership.
“This is where African solutions meet global scale. This is where the future of food systems is being written, by youth, for Africa, and for the world," Matovu said
The AYuTe NextGen 2025 will not just a showcase of talent, but a movement redefining agriculture for the continent.
Finalists were selected from over 100 applicants across 10 countries.
Their innovations will span critical areas like soil health, financing tools, climate adaptation, and access to value chains.
“These are not theoretical solutions, they are already changing the lives of farmers, families, and communities. Whether you walk away with a prize or not, you are already leaders of Africa’s food future," Sandosham said.
The AYuTe NextGen 2025 continues through June 19, celebrating the potential of Africa’s youth to turn agriculture into a thriving engine for innovation, resilience, and inclusive prosperity.