KOKO Networks’ Post

Today, I’m proud to announce that FRESH Networks comes out of ‘stealth mode’. After three years of incubation within KOKO Networks, today we’re officially launching our initiative to bring safe, affordable milk to Kenya’s low-income communities. This journey began with a vision to make a real difference. 68% of marketed milk in Kenya is unsafe and sold through informal channels to low-income families. Why? Because it’s the only option people can afford. But we’re changing that. Our smart milk distribution technology will transform how dairies distribute milk. Our innovative network of smart milk dispensers, supported by an IoT-enabled cold chain, makes safe, affordable milk accessible to everyone. We’ve tested our solution in the market, and are now ready to launch the fourth version of our technology in Kenya. Follow our LinkedIn page for the latest updates on our journey to making safe milk affordable and accessible to all: https://lnkd.in/d66QdK9y #ZeroHunger #FoodSecurity #Nutrition #SDG2 #Innovation #Impact #Partnership #Kenya Austrian Development Agency World Food Programme WFP Innovation Accelerator Kofi Annan Award for Innovation in Africa Kofi Annan Foundation

"Packaging: The Power Behind the Product" Earlier this month, I was contacted by COLEAD, an association of private-sector operators in the Agri-food sector, regarding the 18th Innovations Session organized by the Pan-African Farmers' Organization (PAFO) and COLEAD. The session centered on Innovations in #packaging, specifically exploring opportunities for entrepreneurs and #SMEs in #Africa. It was held online last week. On the panel, I was joined by four dynamic entrepreneurs representing diverse ventures: Jhines Factories from Benin, specializing in processing and packaging tomatoes; Dercolbags Packaging Limited Company from Ghana, creators of the innovative "SmartPack Exchange" sustainable packaging service; Phronesis Foods Nigeria Ltd from Nigeria, experts in processing and packaging local Nigerian foods; and Direne Packaging and Business Advisory Services Kenya, presented avocado processing and export packaging Together, they showcased their groundbreaking innovations. A consistent trait among African entrepreneurs is their determination to process and package Agro-food products, innovating and diversifying for scalability and commercialization. Last week, while listening to my fellow panelists, we observed their challenges with design and branding, investing in unsuitable packaging materials and machinery, managing distribution issues, and handling packaging waste. Packaging is a complex system requiring specialized knowledge.   Packaging offers potential solutions like "Save Food Packaging" to reduce food loss and waste. New technologies like Smart Packaging and a Circular economy framework, along with initiatives like AfriStar.africa, an awards program that showcases the very best of the African packaging industry. As an MSME in Africa, where can you seek support from packaging professionals? Notably, institutes, associations, and federations dedicated to packaging exist in 10 out of the 54 African countries, all under the umbrella of the African Packaging Organization, which is a member of the World Packaging Organization. These institutions serve to educate and disseminate knowledge among packaging professionals and MSMEs. Have you heard of them? However, packaging institutions require robust development partners and government funding to bolster their capacity and infrastructure, enabling them to provide services and training tailored to MSMEs. Indeed, packaging plays a crucial role in preserving Agro-foods. #Packaging #Africa #MSMEs#IOPPK#APO#WPO "Join us now to revolutionize packaging in Africa!"

At EATO, we’re creating the largest African food network—a platform that connects people to authentic African cuisine and highlights SMEs producing sustainable, high-quality products. Recently, we partnered with the EDM Festival, held in Accra this past weekend, we showcased exceptional food and drinks businesses and celebrated African culinary innovation alongside the continent’s vibrant music scene. One standout vendor was KOA Natural, a company dedicated to upcycling cocoa pod pulp—a byproduct often discarded—into a fresh, naturally stimulating juice free of added sweeteners, preservatives, or additives. KOA’s approach reduces food waste and provides an additional income stream for Ghanaian cocoa farmers. In a recent panel discussion with Alexander Onukwue from Semafor, I was asked why investors should consider EATO when most funds currently flow towards AI, fintech, climate, and healthcare startups. My answer was clear: food technology is a billion-dollar industry. As we build the leading African food network at EATO, we will drive transformative change. By creating a community-driven food network for African cuisine and products like KOA, we support local businesses and open new revenue channels for African farmers, chefs, and SMEs, expanding their local and international reach. In one innovative, tech-enabled solution leveraging AI, EATO and our partners are addressing critical problems we see in the African food ecosystem by: * Reducing Waste * Supporting Farmers * Promoting Sustainability * Fostering Innovation * Empowering Local SMEs Together, we drive transformative change and create a more resilient food landscape across the continent and beyond! #EATO #AfricanFoodEcosystem #SustainableAgriculture #FoodWaste #SupportFarmers #Innovation #EmpowerSMEs #FoodNetwork #Startup #Africaninnovation #EDMFestival

Abundish fosters creativity and innovation by revolutionizing the traditional food distribution model in Nigeria. The company leverages technology to streamline the supply chain, connecting farmers directly to consumers, which encourages innovative approaches to logistics, quality control, and customer engagement. In terms of creativity, Abundish embraces local solutions, which opens opportunities for exploring sustainable packaging, eco-friendly practices, and community-driven marketing strategies. The focus on affordability and freshness challenges the team to think outside the box and continuously innovate in areas such as food preservation, delivery methods, and digital platforms for seamless transactions. By prioritizing accessibility and innovation in its operations, Abundish helps reshape the food industry in Nigeria, creating room for new ideas that benefit both producers and consumers.

Very excited to support Larbi Alaoui Belrhiti and Youssef Mamou along with the rest of the YoLa Fresh team in building the next big thing in Morocco and beyond! 🚀 🚀 Yola Fresh is transforming the agricultural supply chain by sourcing produce directly from smallholder farmers whilst building a robust, tech-driven supply chain. This approach reallocates margins to the key players—farmers and retailers—creating a more efficient value chain. The potential for growth in Africa’s agricultural sector is immense. According to FAO, the continent holds approximately 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land. Agriculture contributes 35% to Africa’s GDP and employs more people than any other sector. Despite this, Africa only contributes 10% to the world’s agricultural output and spends $78B annually (85% of its food consumption) on imports. Challenges such as limited market access, insufficient credit, and low digitization impede land and labor productivity. Additionally, the agricultural supply chain is plagued by inefficiencies, including multiple intermediaries and significant resource wastage. Technology can address these issues by driving substantial value within Africa’s agricultural sector. However, agtech remains an underserved market with regards to venture capital funding. Looking forward to seeing and supporting more innovative technologies in this space! Algebra Ventures #Morocco #Agtech #VC

🌍 Powering the Sustainable Sourcing of African Commodities - A New Market Entry Powered by Digital Traceability 🌱 Join the FoodTech Demo Day in Launceston on 14th November to discover Terralima and 9 other innovative Food and Agritech startups! 🚀 👉 Sign up for Demo Day online: https://lnkd.in/d7BQZ__E 👉 Sign up for Demo Day in-person: https://lnkd.in/dB4pqt7a The launch of Nuru Tea 🍃, a premium Kenyan tea brand, marks a pivotal step for Kenya’s tea industry. This new brand is the result of a partnership between Crove Unique and Terralima, aiming to bring Kenyan tea to global markets like Australia and Singapore. Traditionally focused on bulk exports, Crove Unique is transitioning to branded products that resonate with international consumers 🌍. Terralima’s advanced digital commodity chain platform 📈 supports this shift by ensuring transparency and sustainability at every stage of Nuru Tea’s journey, from the fields of Kenya 🌱 to retail shelves worldwide 🛒. By integrating farm-to-market traceability, Terralima guarantees quality and builds consumer trust at each step 🏆. “We are excited to see Nuru Tea, a brand that embodies Kenya’s rich heritage 🇰🇪, enter new markets with the support of the Terralima platform,” said Roy Njoka, CEO of Terralima. This innovative market strategy reflects the evolving agri-business sector, where technology and tradition converge to create sustainable growth 🌿. Supported by Startupbootcamp Australia's FoodTech Tasmania Program 🇦🇺, Terralima’s involvement in the accelerator enables them to scale solutions that address food value chain challenges worldwide 🌐. The partnership with Crove Unique and the international launch of Nuru Tea showcase Terralima’s role in advancing cross-border commerce with transparency and efficiency ✨. Find out more about Terralima here: https://lnkd.in/duiTEnfA #Startupbootcamp #SBC #StartupGrowth #Sustainability #Terralima #Traceability #FoodTechTasmania #FoodInnovation #AgriTech #FoodTechTasmania2024DemoDay

🚀 Transformative Partnership Announcement! 🚀 Sabi, the $1 billion GMV B2B e-commerce platform, is proud to partner with Nigerian agricultural companies Nectar Fresh Foods and Meadow Foods, with support from the Nigerian government, to tackle supply chain challenges in the Oyo State Forest Reserve. The Oyo State Aggregation Project aims to create a reliable supply chain for premium crops like cashew nuts and shea nuts, creating hundreds of jobs and driving economic growth in small communities. Spanning a vast 250,000-hectare forest and utilizing advanced drone technology, this initiative integrates access, technology, and innovation for sustainable resource management. Under Sabi’s leadership, we will invest over ₦52 million to provide local farmers with financial, operational, and infrastructural support. Meadow Foods will ensure high standards for processing and compliance, while Nectar Fresh Limited will lead community engagement and development. "This initiative marks a significant step towards creating a more reliable and community-focused agricultural supply chain in Nigeria,” said Ademola Adesina, president and co-founder of Sabi. Together, we are fostering economic growth and community development in Oyo State, empowering small farmers, and ensuring market access for Nigerian agricultural exports. 🌿🤝🌍 #Sabi #Agriculture #OyoState #SustainableFarming #CommunityDevelopment #SupplyChainInnovation

🌱 Exciting Announcement on the 3MTT Innovative Challenge: Introducing Food Marketplace (FMP) 🌾 I'm thrilled to share our latest team project, Food Marketplace (FMP), an innovative app designed to revolutionize the way we connect farmers with buyers and tackle food wastage head-on. Habeebar AbdulAzeez Abdulsalam Abdulhakeem Oba Mallam Dogo FMP is more than just an app—it's a game-changer in the agricultural industry. By bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, we're empowering local farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers with the tap of a finger, reducing food wastage and promoting sustainability. 🌍🥦🍅 But that's not all—FMP goes beyond simply facilitating transactions. Our platform also creates a sense of community by fostering user engagement and agent support which connects farmers to storage and processing facilities, making it easier than ever for farmers to reach new markets and maximize their impact.🤝 Together, let's create a more sustainable future, one delicious meal at a time. 🌱🍽️ #FoodMarketplace #Sustainability #FarmersFirst #3mttKwara #3mttlearningcommunity #3MTTInnovativeChallenge 3MTT Nigeria Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani Cypherdevs Muiz Adebowale

🇺🇬 | Meet Alice Natukunda, John Cherek and Derick Komwangi, who tell us how digitization is changing the game for #SmallScaleCoffeeFarmers and coffee cooperatives in Uganda! Coffee cooperatives in the country have started using the digital app Trace from Fairfood to streamline farmer payments and transactions, with the goal of increasing transparency and traceability in the value chain, from producer to consumer. This is an important step that supports compliance with a new regulatory environment that requires greater insight into the value chain. Companies like Fairtrade Original are now able to trace the coffee they purchase back to the producers and show that the producers received a living income reference price for their produce. This project is implemented by Fairfood and Solidaridad East and Central Africa under the RECLAIM Sustainability! programme, in collaboration with the Ankole Coffee Producers Cooperative Union (ACPCU) and Nyeibingo Growers Co-operative Society. Find out how digitization in coffee improves the prospects for farmers in Episode 3: Accelerate disruptive innovations! And check out more videos from this impact series! Produced in collaboration with MAKMENDE Media. Fairfood TrustAfrica BWI Indonesia Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken #RECLAIMsustainability #PowerofVoices #Transparency #TraceableCoffee #Uganda #TraceabilityTools #SmallScaleAgriculture #SpecialtyCoffee

Meet Yebo Fresh a South African FoodTech company transforming the way groceries are delivered. 😁😁 Founded by Jessica Boonstra (@jessicaboonstra), Yebo Fresh is making grocery delivery accessible and affordable for all communities. 🌍 Overview: Yebo Fresh was founded to provide convenient and affordable online grocery delivery services to underserved communities. Founders' Backgrounds: Jessica Boonstra, with a background in logistics and supply chain management, aimed to address the challenges of grocery access in South Africa. Challenges and Overcoming Them: Ensuring reliable delivery to underserved areas was a significant challenge. Yebo Fresh overcame this by building a robust logistics network and partnering with local delivery services. Achievements: Yebo Fresh has delivered thousands of grocery orders, improving food access and convenience for many families. Quote from Founder: "Our mission is to make grocery shopping easy and accessible for everyone, regardless of their location." – Jessica Boonstra Sources: https://zurl.co/M21E #MotivationMonday #FoodTech #AfricanInnovation #BizVitalSigns #Yebofresh Follow us for more stories of innovation and success!