He is currently serving as Google’s new director for West Africa. Before his appointment to the role, Olumide served as the company’s head of consumer apps for Sub-Saharan Africa. The Computer Science graduate from the Obafemi Awolowo University previously worked with global tech companies, including Microsoft and Nokia.

In his current role, Olumide oversees Google’s business in West Africa, including training young people in digital skills.

However, the sector faces several challenges, including low productivity, climate change, and rural poverty.

Aside from government policies, technology plays a transformative role in reshaping agriculture in Africa, offering innovative solutions to longstanding challenges and creating new opportunities for sustainable growth.

From precision farming to mobile and digital solutions, these technological innovations are spearheaded by tech leaders passionate about the continent’s agricultural ecosystem.

With innovation as their guiding star, these individuals are cultivating a transformation that will not only feed nations but also cultivate hope, opportunity, and lasting change across the continent.

Empower Africa shines a spotlight on 30 who are reshaping the future of agriculture in Africa through technology.

These personalities are the embodiment of progress, utilizing technology to transform traditional farming practices into dynamic, efficient, and sustainable endeavors.

Their efforts transcend mere innovation; they represent a movement that propels communities forward and nurtures a continent’s potential.

Let’s dive in:

1. Jehiel Oliver – CEO of Hello Tractor
2. Lucy Wangari – Founder, Onion Doctor
3. Taita Ngetich – Founder & CEO of Synnefa
4. Nana Opoku – CEO of Grow For Me
5. Dickson Kahuro – Founder of OxFarmAg
6. Thomas Njeru – CEO and Co-Founder at Pula
7. Hazem Salaheldin Eltawab – CEO and Founder at ReNile
8. Benoit De Vigne – Co-Founder of Terraa
9. Nabil Ayoub – Head of Product @Agridata
10. Moulay-Rachid Cherkaoui – Entrepreneur in FoodTech
11. Alloysius Attah – Co-Founder & CEO Farmerline
12. Aisha Raheem-Bolarinwa – Founder at Farmz2U
13. Russel Luck – CEO swiftVEE
14. Elisha Caleb – CEO and Founder at Agrotech Plus
15. Francis A. Obirikorang – CEO and Co-Founder of AgroCenta Technologies
16. Stefano Carcoforo – Co-Founder of iProcure
17. Ikenna Nzewi – CEO @ Releaf
18. Uka Eje – CEO, ThriveAgric
19. Uzoma Bailey Ayogu – CTO at Releaf
20. Eli Pollak – Founder of Apollo Agriculture
21. Raphael (Kofi) Afaedor – Co-Founder & CEO @ Kyosk Digital Services
22. Aboubakar Karim – CEO of Investiv Group
23. Judy Njogu-Mokaya – Founder, VunaPay
24. Femi Adekoya – Founder at Integrated Aerial Precision
25. Susan Njihia – Board Member, Digital Agriculture Association
26. Abdiwak Bekele – Co-founder and CTO of Omishtu-Joy Agtech Eng
27. Olivia Aseitu Kipo – Founder of Kobaa farms
28. Larbi Alaoui Belrhiti – Founder & co-CEO @ YoLa Fresh
29. Deborah Ogunyemi – AgriTech Enthusiast
30. Betty Mbithi – Co-Founder, Vunatec

She is the co-founder of Sommalife, an agritech social enterprise that empowers smallholder women farmers in West Africa. Sommalife provides support services for local producers to increase their business income and contribute to environmental conservation sustainably.

Mawuse has over ten years of experience in the development sector, focusing on women’s empowerment and agritech. She is a passionate advocate for gender equality and believes that empowering women farmers is essential to achieving food security and sustainable development.

Under Mawuse’s leadership, Sommalife has reached thousands of women farmers in northern Ghana. The company provides women farmers access to finance, training, and market linkages. Sommalife has also helped to protect over 630 acres of shea parklands in the Upper West Region. Mawuse’s work has been recognized by several awards, including the African Women in Agribusiness Award and the Young Agripreneur of the Year Award.

He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Investiv, an agricultural consulting firm that uses drones for farming. As a co-founder of this pioneering agribusiness venture, he recognized the immense potential of harnessing technology and innovation to revolutionize the agricultural landscape. Investiv’s mission extends beyond business – it’s about creating lasting impact.

With a focus on agri-tech, Investiv empowers local communities, strengthens supply chains, and contributes to the economic growth of not just one nation, but an entire continent. Karim’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. He’s been hailed as one of the great hopes of the African continent.

His visionary approach to agribusiness and dedication to sustainable growth have earned him a well-deserved place among Africa’s young entrepreneurs who are steering the region toward a brighter future. His recognition as a finalist in the Africa Business Heroes competition also underscores the significance of his work. Karim’s story resonates far beyond the confines of entrepreneurship. It’s a story of possibility, resilience, and the power of belief.

She has held prominent roles in the corporate world and has garnered recognition for her leadership skills and impact. She is currently serving as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp Group), a diversified conglomerate with strategic investments in the Power, Hospitality and Oil and Gas sectors.

She previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, a leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries.

Owen is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and economic development and a mentor to young women. She is a recipient of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)’s Young Business Leader of the Year Award.

She is the founder and CEO of Plum Perfect, a mobile app that helps users find the perfect shade of makeup for their skin tone. Ahmed was born in Nigeria and raised in the United States. She studied chemical engineering at the University of Virginia and business administration at Columbia Business School. After graduating, she worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

In 2014, Ahmed founded Plum Perfect after being frustrated with the difficulty of finding the right shade of makeup. The app uses artificial intelligence to match users’ skin tone to the perfect shade of makeup. Ahmed is also a passionate advocate for women in technology and entrepreneurship. She is a mentor to young entrepreneurs and has spoken at various conferences and events on the topics of technology and entrepreneurship.

In 2016, Ahmed was named one of the “Top 26 Women of Color Diversifying Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley, Media, and Beyond” by Vanity Fair. She was also recognized as a “Top Woman in Digital” by Cynopsis Media and “Black Business and Tech Professionals Changing the Game” by The Huffington Post. Ahmed is a role model for women and entrepreneurs around the world and an inspiration to many.