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Agri-Business Innovation Challenge 4.0

Improving healthy food supply chain in Nigeria

About the Challenge

Solutions for Food Supply Chain

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition, in partnership with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC), is proud to announce the final cohort of the Agribusiness Innovation Challenge (AIC 4.0).

Over the past four cohorts, the Agribusiness Innovation Challenge has attracted and supported some of Nigeria’s most promising agritech startups working to improve the food supply chain. As we launch this fourth and final edition, we remain focused on identifying, developing, and scaling innovative solutions that address food safety, nutrition, and climate resilience—key pillars for securing Nigeria’s food future.

This last cohort is especially significant as it marks the culmination of a successful multi-year journey under GAIN’s Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples Project. The Challenge continues to offer technical assistance, mentorship, and targeted business support to women and youth-led agritech startups, strengthening their capacity to access finance and bring impactful innovations to scale.

Are you ready to be part of the final group of changemakers transforming Nigeria’s food systems?

Applications are now open to eligible agritech startups across Nigeria.

Let’s close this chapter with bold, scalable solutions for a healthier, more sustainable food supply chain.

Eligibility

  • Women and Youths aged 18-35 years (Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply)
  • Applicants must have agri-business innovations that can address and solve the Food Supply Chain challenges in Nigeria.
  • Shortlisted candidates should be willing to commit to all programme deliverables.
  • Finalists should be willing to test and replicate their solutions in the following states of Nigeria; Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Ibadan
  • All Applicants must have businesses registered with  the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
  • Previous beneficiaries are ineligible to apply

Challenge Areas

This challenge welcomes solutions or viable products that address FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN challenges with an outcome of achieving food safety and quality as well as healthier diets for all. Examples of solutions may include and not limited to the following thematic areas:

Last-Mile Distribution Networks

• Deployment of technology-enabled distribution networks to improve access to agricultural inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, in remote areas.
• Optimization of logistics and transportation routes to reduce costs and improve efficiency in last-mile delivery.

Innovations for Agricultural Productivity and Efficiency

• Optimization of processing techniques, equipment, and operations to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality and consistency.
• Adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices, energy-efficient technologies, and waste-reduction strategies to minimize environmental impact and resource use.
• Integration of automation and digitalization solutions to streamline production processes and ensure product traceability and safety.

Innovations for Post-Harvest Loss Management

• Post-harvest management and storage involves addressing the critical stage of the agricultural value chain that occurs after harvesting, focusing on preserving the quality, freshness, and nutritional value of agricultural products until they reach consumers. This challenge aims to foster the development and implementation of innovative solutions to improve post-harvest handling, storage, processing, and distribution practices.

What we offer

Shortlisted early-stage startups with a Minimum Viable Product  should expect to go through the following process from the programme; 

Terms and Conditions

  • Participants of the Agribusiness Innovation Challenge/events stand a chance to win sponsored grant and technical assistance prizes. However, the Judges have the sole responsibility of, and discretion in selecting winners, and the judges’ decisions are final.
  • The value of these prizes is to be at the sole discretion of the organizers.
  • Prize winners must use cash or technical assistance prizes for business or research purposes related to agritech innovation.
  • Participants who are awarded a prize shall be obliged to sign a grant agreement with GAIN detailing how they intend to use the prize funds, including a disbursement schedule.
  • The judges and/or organizers shall have the right to withdraw any cash prize from a participant who fails or refuses to comply with the obligation in this clause.
  • Prize recipients will be expected to share periodic reports detailing how the funds are being used, as agreed with the organizers.
  • To the fullest extent permitted by law, the organizers will not be liable for the cancellation/postponement/change of sponsored prizes.

Application Process

Applications are open to all eligible agri-tech startups in Nigeria.

Application closes 7th, May 2024

Further enquiries can be directed to info@nigeriacic.org

Our Past Winners

Empowering Nigeria’s food supply chain—innovations by our past winners are leading the way