The United Nations University-Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) has awarded a total of US$74,000 in grants to ten exceptional agriculture technology innovators as part of its Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies (INFoCAT) challenge. Each innovator received a US$7,400 grant to scale up their businesses and advance sustainable development solutions in Ghana.
Selected from over 100 AgriTech entrepreneurs, the beneficiaries include iSOLAR Ghana, Harvest Ease Innovators, and Amuga Welding and Machine Shop, among others. Their innovations range from smart solar-powered irrigation systems to advanced agricultural mechanization and biogas technology.
The INFoCAT challenge aims to support low-cost, clean energy-powered AgriTech innovations, particularly those led by women and youth farmers in Ghana, Senegal, and Cote D’Ivoire. The goal is to expand access to sustainable energy technologies, increase agricultural productivity, and boost income.
INFoCAT Project Coordinator, Dr. Ferdinand Tornyie, highlighted the significance of the challenge, noting that it is part of a larger project to integrate small businesses into the green transition. The selected innovators have been paired with experts to refine their technologies and ensure practical implementation.
One of the standout innovations will receive an additional US$34,000 for further upscaling and business expansion. Robust auditing measures are in place to ensure the funds are used appropriately and effectively.
Professor Christopher Gordon, former Director of the Institute of Environment and Sanitation Studies at the University of Ghana, encouraged participants to collaborate and innovate to compete effectively on an international scale. He emphasized the importance of creating synergies and developing value chain innovations to attract investors.
UNU-INRA continues to amplify African voices and showcase solutions made in Africa through its research and training initiatives, supporting sustainable development and green energy transitions across the continent.
