Heifer International Calls for Stronger Local Partnerships to Transform Agriculture in Africa

At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Heifer International urged governments, donors, investors, and development partners to strengthen their commitment to local partnerships as a way to accelerate agricultural transformation across the continent. The organization stressed that collaboration among governments, smallholder farmers, youth innovators, cooperatives, the private sector, and development actors is key to building resilient food systems and sustainable rural prosperity.

Agriculture employs nearly two-thirds of Africa’s workforce, yet the sector receives less than 4% of commercial lending. According to the African Development Bank, the financing gap stands at $80 billion annually. Smallholder farmers and agri-SMEs—who produce up to 70% of Africa’s food—continue to face limited access to credit, weak infrastructure, and high borrowing costs. Bridging this gap, Heifer noted, requires not only new financial resources but also smarter, farmer-centered partnerships.

The organization highlighted the critical role of grants and philanthropic funding in agricultural development. When aligned with local realities and effective partnerships, such funding can catalyze innovation, unlock private investment, and provide flexibility for youth-led enterprises to test and scale solutions in real farming environments.

“The future of African agriculture will be built on strong partnerships and funding that helps innovations move from ideas to scale,” said Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International. “Philanthropic support is essential, and by working alongside governments, cooperatives, and the private sector, we can ensure these funds go further in strengthening local food systems.”

Driving Impact Through Innovation

Heifer showcased several initiatives demonstrating how this approach delivers results:

• AYuTe NextGen (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology Next Generation): A flagship program supporting young innovators and agri-tech solutions that address key challenges for smallholder farmers.

• Nigeria: Partnership with Hello Tractor has enabled more than 20,000 farmers to access affordable mechanization services, boosting productivity.

• Uganda: Youth-led start-ups supported under AYuTe NextGen have expanded mobile-based livestock health and crop advisory services, attracting private investment.

• Kenya and Rwanda: Partnerships with dairy cooperatives have reduced milk spoilage by up to 30%, raising farmer incomes and making the sector more competitive.

According to Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President for Africa Programs at Heifer International, these successes show the power of locally-led collaboration:

“Farmers must be treated as business partners, young innovators need opportunities to prove their models, and finance must be structured to share risks fairly. Above all, partnerships rooted in local realities create the trust and resilience needed for long-term growth.”

Inclusion at the Core

Heifer emphasized that women and youth—who form a large share of Africa’s farming and agribusiness workforce—must be central to agricultural transformation. With Africa’s median age at 19 and women making up nearly half of the agricultural workforce, inclusive partnerships are crucial to expanding access to land, finance, and markets.

Regional frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) call for over $100 billion in agri-food investment, with 30% of opportunities dedicated to women and youth. Heifer’s work illustrates how these commitments can be turned into tangible, community-driven action.

Speaking on behalf of AYuTe NextGen winners, Carolyne Mwangi, CEO of Kenya-based Kimplanter Seedlings and Nurseries, reinforced the message:

“Across Africa, young entrepreneurs are delivering solutions—from mechanization services to cold-chain logistics. What they need are partners who understand farming realities and who can connect them to markets. This is how resilience and growth are built.”

A Call to Action

Heifer concluded that lasting change in African agriculture requires moving beyond fragmented, short-term interventions toward systems that bring farmers, governments, investors, and development partners together. With stronger local partnerships and inclusive support, smallholder farmers can grow their incomes, investors can discover viable opportunities, and countries can strengthen food security for their growing populations.

About Dangote Group

Dangote Group is one of Nigeria’s most diversified business conglomerates, renowned for its excellent business practices and commitment to quality products. With its operational headquarters in Lagos, the Group has built a strong reputation across West Africa.

Job Vacancy: Power Plant Operations Manager

Location: Obajana, Kogi State
Company: Dangote Cement Plc

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Power Plant Operations Manager to oversee and support general shift activities at our power plant. The successful candidate will assist the Sectional Head (Operations) in ensuring optimal plant performance, adherence to safety standards, and uninterrupted power supply for cement operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise general shift activities to ensure plant performance and safety compliance.

• Organize and monitor scheduled testing of firefighting systems, including documentation updates.

• Ensure equipment health and maintain pending job lists for planning and execution.

• Support staff in managing emergencies effectively and safely.

• Prepare and maintain accurate production reports and plant records.

• Manage housekeeping, safety, and environmental activities in the plant.

• Develop and implement SOPs; conduct in-house training programs for field staff.

• Provide training to improve staff skills, minimize downtime, and ensure smooth operations.

• Assist in preparing SOPs for critical activities in collaboration with the Section Head.

• Post production data accurately into SAP.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent).

• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in gas-based power plant operations.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Creativity and ability to think innovatively.

• Proficiency in office productivity tools and SAP for production reporting.

• Deep knowledge of power plant systems and their interactions.

• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong data analysis and reporting abilities.

Benefits

• Private Health Insurance

• Paid Time Off

• Training & Development Opportunities

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should Click Here to Apply.

Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2025 – Call for Applications

The International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the G20 Global Land Initiative and UNCCD, is inviting applications from young entrepreneurs under 35 for the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO). This initiative supports youth-led green and circular economy businesses and land restoration solutions by offering training, mentorship, global networking, and investment readiness support.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, businesses must be:

• Founded and led by youth under 35 (Founder, Co-Founder, or CEO).

• Legally registered and operating under one of the following tracks:

  • Land Restoration (e.g., reforestation, soil rehabilitation).

  • Green & Circular Economy (e.g., renewable energy, waste innovation).

Strongly encouraged to apply:

• Female entrepreneurs.

• Founders from LDCs, SIDS, and landlocked countries.

• Persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.

Funding & Support

Selected participants will receive:

• Equity-free seed funding of up to USD 100,000 (Land Restoration track).

• Legal and IP support.

• Tailored mentorship and capacity building.

• Visibility on global platforms.

• Winners of the Youth Ecopreneur Awards will also receive USD 10,000 each.

Before You Apply

• Application takes 30–40 minutes to complete.

• Have the following ready: Passport, Business Certificate, Pitch Deck.

• Application must be completed in one sitting.

• Review the application questions beforehand [here].

Fast-Track Option

If your business is beyond the early startup phase and ready to scale, you may apply for the Fast Track, which allows you to skip the 10-week Bootcamp and move directly to the Accelerator stage.

To qualify, your business must have:

• Proven market traction.

• Consistent revenue or a clear path to profitability.

• A scalable model and a full-time committed team.

• Be investment-ready.

Applicants must upload a short motivational video. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 15-minute interview during the week of September 14th.

Only businesses registered in developing countries are eligible. [View the list of eligible countries here].

Deadline: [Insert deadline if available]
[Click Here to Apply]