Heifer International Africa

Continuing the Dialogue at the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) 2024. During the panel discussion on the theme of “Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation: Shaping the Future of Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa,” Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President for Africa Region at Heifer International, spoke about the pivotal role of technology and financing in transforming agriculture: “I want to highlight the role of technology as a critical tool for addressing challenges in agriculture. When we talk about Africa, one of the key barriers we face is infrastructure and digital literacy. We cannot afford to wait for it to catch up. Instead, we must think innovatively about leveraging technology to bridge these gaps. For instance, we're seeing progress where technology solutions are being implemented to support local smallholder farmers who may not be tech-savvy. Young people rooted in the community are stepping up, delivering essential services such as access to market information or weather forecasting, which are critical for smallholder farmers. However, achieving this transformation requires significant investment—both in technology and financial support for these initiatives. Stakeholders must recognize how interconnected these issues are. Whether it’s funding infrastructure, capacity building, or ensuring equitable access to technology, we must ask: when, where, and who should we engage to ensure coordinated investment that makes a meaningful impact?” At Heifer International, we are committed to championing innovative solutions and partnerships that empower smallholder farmers, foster resilience, and drive Africa’s agricultural transformation. Follow Heifer International Africa Africa for more. #AWIEF2024 #TechnologyInAgriculture #HeiferAfrica #Agripreneurship AGRA, The World Bank, OCP AFRICA, Nedbank, Hello Tractor, ignitia, ThriveAgric, AYuTe Africa, Heifer Nigeria, Heifer International Ethiopia, Heifer International Uganda, Heifer International Tanzania

“If we are to empower women and increase their incomes, we must address the systemic barriers holding them back. When we examine the agricultural value chain, we see that supporting women in agriculture has been a focus for many years. However, access to resources remains a significant challenge—not only for women but also for youth. Access to land, in particular, continues to be a major hurdle. In food systems, there is a noticeable discrepancy in profit margins across the value chain. The further away you are from the farm, the higher the profits tend to be. Unfortunately, those closest to the farm, including smallholder farmers, often face the greatest risks and lowest returns. Women's participation across the value chain also varies. While many women are active at the farm level—managing poultry and small-scale livestock alongside domestic responsibilities—they are often excluded from advanced, technology-enabled areas like sophisticated processing. Heifer International is committed to breaking down these systemic barriers and empowering women to fully participate in and benefit from agricultural transformation. This includes equipping women with the technology, tools, and access needed to engage in higher-value, more complex areas of the value chain.” Senior Vice President Africa Region, Heifer International, Adesuwa Ifedi, speaking at Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) 2024. Follow Heifer International Africa for more updates! #AWIEF2024 #WomenInAgriculture #HeiferAfrica #AgriculturalTransformation Heifer Nigeria, Heifer Senegal , Heifer International Kenya, Heifer International Ethiopia, AYuTe Africa

Heifer International is live at the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) 2024 in Cape Town. Our Senior Vice President for Africa, Adesuwa Ifedi, took part in an inspiring panel discussion on “Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation: Shaping the Future of Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa.” She joined a distinguished lineup, including Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah (AGRA), Michael O'Sullivan ( World Bank Africa Gender Innovation Lab), Habiba Mouttaki (OCP Africa), Dr. Nirmala Reddy (PhD) (Nedbank), and Roseline Mapuranga (Tsehla Hydroponics), with Lesley Donna Williams (Lesley Donna Williams Consulting) as the host. Ms. Ifedi highlighted the importance of giving women across the agricultural supply chain the technology, tools, know-how, and access they need to unleash their talents and increase their incomes. Follow Heifer International Africa for more! #HeiferAfrica #AWIEF2024 #WomenInAgric Heifer Nigeria Heifer International Tanzania, Heifer International Uganda, Heifer International South Africa

Heifer International Africa's Women Development Lead, Leticia Mpuya, will be part of Heifer's delegation to the 2024 Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF). Passionate about empowering women in agriculture and driving inclusive growth across Africa, Leticia will engage with industry leaders, changemakers, and fellow advocates to shape a brighter, more inclusive future for African women. Africa has the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs in the world, with about 25% of women in sub-Saharan Africa starting or managing a business. Through partnerships across various sectors and countries, Heifer International has witnessed the remarkable impact women entrepreneurs can have when provided with the tools to succeed. When supported with resources, mentorship, and market access, women reinvest significantly in their families and communities, enhancing food security and fostering thriving rural economies. Follow Heifer International Africa for live updates and insights from this important gathering. 📍 Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) 📅 November 28-29, 2024 #AWIEF2024 #WomenEmpowerment #HeiferAfrica #Agripreneurship Heifer Nigeria, Heifer International Rwanda, Heifer International Tanzania, Heifer International Uganda, Heifer International Kenya, Heifer Senegal

Senior Vice President Africa Region, Adesuwa Ifedi will be speaking at the 2024 Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF). The Forum, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on November 28 and 29, 2024 is a convening of key players in the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Join Adesuwa and other dynamic leaders as they discuss “Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation: Shaping the Future of Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa.” Women make up the majority of smallholder farmers, and small-scale farming contributes to one-third of the world’s food supply, which is vital for nourishing the planet's 7.9 billion people. Heifer International partners with smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods and living income, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and building resilience against climate change. By supporting smallholder farmers, we empower thousands of entrepreneurial women, equipping them with the expertise, tools, resources and financing necessary to unlock their potential. We look forward to contributing to discussions at #AWIEF2024 drawing on over 50 years of experience working with smallholder farmers in Africa. Join us for crucial discussions on empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable growth on the continent. 📍 Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) 📅 November 28-29, 2024 Follow Heifer International Africa for live updates and insights from this important gathering. Heifer International Heifer Nigeria Heifer International Rwanda Heifer International Tanzania Heifer International Ethiopia Heifer International Kenya Heifer Senegal #HeiferAfrica #WomenEmpowerment #Agripreneurship #InclusiveGrowth

On this #InternationalMensDay, we put our spotlight on a few Heifer staff and innovator partners who are driving transformation in agriculture and food systems across Africa. Their dedication, passion, and resilience are shaping a sustainable future for families, communities, and the continent. Heifer Staff: 🌍 Ignatius Nmakwe – Administration and Procurement Lead, Heifer International Africa. Leading Heifer Africa's procurement efforts, Ignatius ensures innovative solutions drive food security and lift communities across the continent. 🇺🇬 Kennedy Okuu – Manager, Energy Program, Heifer International Uganda. Kennedy brings solar and water services to farmers, empowering communities and inspiring others to embrace agriculture for sustainable development. 🇳🇬 Tajuddeen Abubakar – Access to Innovative Finance Manager, Heifer Nigeria. Tajuddeen empowers smallholder farmers with access to finance, helping them turn subsistence farming into successful business ventures. 🇰🇪 Primason Ngala – Project Driver, TRANSFORM, Heifer International Kenya. Primason has dedicated 19 years to Heifer Kenya, helping farmers move from subsistence to commercial farming and inspiring the next generation of agribusiness leaders. Agri-Innovators: 🇳🇬 Ayodeji Arikawe – Co-Founder, ThriveAgric Ayo is dedicated to improving smallholder farmers’ productivity and believes this is the key to Africa’s ability to feed itself and the world. 🇰🇪 Eliud Rugut – Founder and CEO, Silo Africa Eliud empowers young men to embrace farming, using technology and sustainable methods to create lasting change and a better future for Africa. 🇳🇬 Tajudeen Yahaya – CEO, Extension Africa Tajudeen celebrates the resilience of farmers, motivating all to embrace hard work and purpose in agriculture to build stronger food systems and communities. Together, they demonstrate that agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s future. They’re committed to empowering communities, inspiring change, and creating sustainable food systems. #InternationalMensDay #MenofHeiferAfrica #SustainableAgriculture #AgriInnovation Mastercard Foundation DigiCow Africa Ltd Hello Tractor Heifer International

This #InternationalMensDay, we shine a spotlight on the journeys of three men transforming their lives, communities, and Africa’s food systems. Through resilience, hard work, and innovation, they embody the spirit of sustainable change. 🇺🇬 Alex Kanak – Farmer and Community Agro Vet Entrepreneur, Uganda Alex gives fellow dairy farmers vital support as a Community Agro Vet Entrepreneur, improving livelihoods and encouraging young people to embrace agriculture. 🇳🇬 Alhaji Aliyu Usman – Farmer, Nigeria Alhaji Aliyu has transformed his life and those around him, using Heifer's support to uplift his family and inspire his community. 🇷🇼 Twizerimana Jean de Dieu – Farmer, Rwanda Twizerimana embodies the power of innovation in agriculture. Through Heifer’s PRISM project, he has transformed his family's future and demonstrated the potential of sustainable farming practices. Together, they exemplify how agriculture can create lasting change, empower families, and build a more sustainable future for all. #InternationalMensDay #MenofHeiferAfrica #SustainableAgriculture Hello Tractor, ignitia, ThriveAgric, Heifer International Rwanda, Heifer Nigeria, Heifer International Uganda, Mastercard Foundation, DigiCow Africa Ltd, Brastorne, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

At the 2024 World Food Prize Foundation's Borlaug Dialogue event, Heifer International CEO Surita Sandosham joined global leaders, experts and stakeholders to discuss the need for a business-driven approach to agricultural development for smallholder farmers to overcome poverty. Speakers emphasized several priorities for supporting smallholders, many of which align with Heifer International’s approach, including helping producers compete in formal agricultural markets, utilizing tech and facilitating solutions that consider mixed farming systems, ecosystem health and climate resilience. Read the full event takeaways here: https://bit.ly/4fH5Lg9 #FoodPrize24 #AgriculturalDevelopment #SmallholderFarmers #Sustainability

A recap on the Mechanization for Africa Initiative launch in Rwanda, rolled out in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and in partnership with Heifer’s implementing partner, Hello Tractor  For the farmers receiving the tractors, access to tractors means being able to farm more efficiently, enjoying a better quality of life and a higher economic return on their investments. Heifer remains committed to support smallholder farmers by providing them with training, equipment, technical support and access to finance.  #HeiferImpact #HeiferAfrica #Rwanda #Tractor #Agriculture #Mech 

In Ethiopia, where poverty, food insecurity, drought and limited job opportunities drive migration, many pastoralists like Fatuma Sahle face considerable obstacles in selling their livestock such as limited access to markets. Through the Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project, a government initiative backed by Heifer International Ethiopia, Fatuma and her community gained access to larger, more reliable markets and received resources to elevate the health and productivity of their goats. This assistance led to a more stable income, empowering them to provide for their families at home. Read how Heifer International equips smallholder farmers to earn a steady income at home and offer them the freedom to choose whether to stay rooted in their communities here: https://bit.ly/3YFvf7Z   #migration #smallholderfarmers #sustainablelivelihoods