HEIFER International has announced the launch of the 4th annual AYuTe Africa Challenge in Senegal, offering up to $20,000 in funding for agritech startups working to revolutionise agriculture in the country. The announcement was made at the recent 2025 ANDE Pan African Conference in Dakar, a gathering focused on youth empowerment, digital innovation, and cultural entrepreneurship.
Launched in 2021 under Heifer’s AYuTe Africa NextGen initiative, the competition identifies and supports agritech innovators developing scalable solutions that improve smallholder farmers’ productivity and incomes.
Accelerating growth for agritech startups
The Senegal edition of the AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology) Africa Challenge provides early-stage agritech startups not only with funding but also with mentorship and training to help them scale. Heifer International’s goal is to make agriculture a viable and attractive career path for young Africans by integrating technology across the entire farming value chain.
According to Daouda Ndao, Country Director of Heifer International Senegal, the initiative presents a major opportunity for local entrepreneurs.
‘Senegal’s agricultural sector is critical to our economy, employing 60 percent of our workforce and playing a key role in food security,’ said Ndao. ‘Technology can transform farming, and we are dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs who create innovative solutions to boost productivity and income for smallholder farmers.’
A key step towards Senegal’s food security goals
Senegal’s Minister for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, Mabouba Diagne, who also serves as the country’s AYuTe Ambassador, endorsed the challenge, highlighting its alignment with Senegal’s Food Sovereignty Strategy (SAS), which aims for sustainable food and nutritional security by 2035.
‘By merging technology with traditional farming knowledge, we can strengthen food systems and uplift farming communities,’ said Diagne. ‘We appreciate Heifer International’s continued commitment to Senegal’s agricultural development.’
Previous success and impact
Last year’s winner, Aar Mbay Mi (which means protecting crops in Wolof), developed a bird-repellent device to protect farms from seed-eating birds. Marie Touré, a team member, shared their experience:
‘Winning AYuTe gave us more than just funding—it provided mentorship and expanded our reach to over 20,000 farmers. We encourage startups to seize this opportunity.’
How to apply for the 2025 Challenge
Applications for the 2025 AYuTe Africa Challenge in Senegal open from March to April 2025. To be eligible, startups must:
- Be Senegalese citizens aged 18-35.
- Offer a scalable agritech solution addressing smallholder farmers’ challenges.
- Demonstrate strong demand for their product or service.
Aspiring agritech innovators are encouraged to apply and gain access to funding, mentorship, and market visibility to expand their impact.
Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with over 52 million people worldwide to combat hunger and poverty. Operating in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, Heifer supports farmers in building sustainable livelihoods through innovative agricultural solutions.
