Africa’s foremost youth-focused agricultural technology event, the AYuTe NextGen Conference, will take place in Kampala from June 17 to 19, 2025. Organised by Heifer International, the annual gathering will bring together young agri-tech innovators, investors, policymakers, and development partners from across the continent.
Now in its fourth edition, the AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology) NextGen Conference has become a central platform for advancing youth-led agricultural innovation in Africa. This year’s theme, “AgTech Generation Rising,” underscores the critical role of young entrepreneurs in transforming Africa’s food systems through technology-driven solutions.
“This year’s competition generated many bold, creative solutions from across the continent,” said Dayo Aduroja, Africa Youth and Innovation Lead at Heifer International. “The conference provides a platform where ideas meet opportunity, and solutions gain the capital and support needed to scale.”
The 2025 edition follows a competitive selection process that attracted over 100 applicants from 10 African countries. Eleven finalists, chosen after intensive technical assessments in Lagos and Nairobi, will present their innovations live in Kampala before a panel comprising investors, policymakers, and sector leaders. The finalists will compete for seed funding, mentorship, and entry into an innovation ecosystem supported by Heifer and strategic partners.
Innovations to be showcased include drone-enabled agricultural services, AI-powered decision-support tools, and climate-smart technologies. Heifer International said the focus is on market-ready solutions that address pressing challenges in African agriculture, including access to finance, data, and climate resilience.
What distinguishes AYuTe NextGen, organisers said, is its youth-centred structure. From keynote sessions to panel discussions and breakout workshops, young people will lead every part of the three-day event. The agenda includes interactive forums, fireside chats, and investor engagement designed to enable tangible partnerships and scale.
“To Africa’s young innovators, your time is now,” said Senior Vice President of Heifer International, Adesuwa Ifedi. “Step forward with your vision. The continent is ready. To investors, policymakers, and funders, be part of this movement. The future of African agriculture is tech-driven, youth-led, and unfolding in real time.”
The Kampala event builds on the momentum of past editions that have supported agri-tech enterprises impacting over 650,000 direct beneficiaries and more than 1.2 million indirectly across the continent. Notable alumni include Thrive Agric (Nigeria), Thur Biotech (Ethiopia), and Digicow (Kenya), all of which have grown into sector leaders with regional footprints.
One such success story is Uganda’s 2024 AYuTe country-level winner, Assumpta Nakalema, whose solar-powered egg incubator has helped poultry farmers reduce post-harvest losses and energy costs. “The AYuTe NextGen platform doesn’t just identify innovations,” Nakalema said. “It builds the ecosystem needed for sustained growth and impact.”
Heifer International is calling for stronger multi-sector collaboration to scale youth-led solutions. “Supporting young innovators today means securing Africa’s food future tomorrow,” said Ifedi. “Let’s work together to co-create an inclusive, resilient food future.”
AYuTe NextGen 2025 will be held at the Serena Hotel, Kampala, with participation expected from representatives across East, West, and Southern Africa.
