Competition to promote agri-innovation and entrepreneurship in Ethiopia

The Green Innovation and AgriTech Slam (GIAS) 2019 competition will identify innovations and ideas that address the critical challenges affecting the agricultural sector in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA (CTA) – A Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH (GIZ GmbH) sponsored competition that will support Ethiopian agricultural entrepreneurs was launched on 7th August 2019 with a prize fund of an estimated €35,000 (over 1 million Ethiopian birr).

The Green Innovation and AgriTech Slam (GIAS) 2019 competition will identify innovations and ideas that address the critical challenges affecting the wheat, legumes and honey value chains and the digital needs of the entire agricultural value chain.

The nationwide competition has five categories: nutrition and consumer market; agri-inputs and equipment; environmental protection and sustainability; pre-revenue agribusinesses; and post-revenue agribusinesses. GIAS is open to individuals, especially youth and women, private businesses, higher learning institutions as well as government and non-government organizations.

“Digital technologies have the potential to transform the agricultural sector. We are confident that a focus on digital solutions among youth in this regard will help to boost Ethiopia’s future food security and create jobs across the agricultural value chain,” says Ken Lohento, Senior Program Coordinator, ICT4Ag at CTA.

At least ten winners will be recognized at the Grand Award Ceremony on 14 November 2019. They will benefit from capacity building through mentorship, acceleration of their businesses. In addition to cash awards the winners will get capacity building training to support their growth and will also get the opportunity to share their ideas during an exposure visit to Germany.

“Agriculture is the cornerstone of the Ethiopian economy. Disseminating agricultural innovations are essential to increase productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers. By strengthening the private sector, up- and downstream enterprises, and promoting entrepreneurship directed towards challenges of the agricultural sector, the service provision for smallholder farmers can be improved,” says Laura de Guevara, GIZ – Green Innovation Centers – Ethiopia.

CTA’s contribution to the activity is part of its Agritech Movers Ethiopia project which is implemented by the Ethiopian organization Iceaddis. This project is launched in line with the framework of the AgriHack Talent project of CTA. GIZ’s involvement is part of its Green Innovation Centers’ activities.

The Green Innovation and AgriTech Slam is also implemented by Iceaddis on behalf of CTA and GIZ, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) and other players.

For more information or to request an interview, contact:

• Toby Johnson, Team Leader Communications, CTA, +31 (0) 6 10 88 50 80, johnson@cta.int
• Wibishet Fessha Assefa, PR & Communication Advisor, GIZ-Supported Green Innovation Centers (GIC), +251 911 246 420, wibishet.fessha@giz.de
• Markos Lemma, General Manager, Iceaddis, +251 11 667 4804, markos.lemma@iceaddis.com

About CTA
The Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) is a joint international institution of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU). Its mission is to advance food security, resilience and inclusive economic growth in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific through innovations in sustainable agriculture. CTA operates under the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and is funded by the EU.

About GIZ GmbH
The German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH (GIZ GmbH) is a public benefit federal enterprise commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work.

About Iceaddis
Iceaddis is an innovation hub and co-creation space which facilitates technological innovations, creative projects, and startups support. Iceaddis provides young entrepreneurs, local and visiting creatives with professional support and consultancy services. Iceaddis was established in 2011 in Addis Ababa.

Source: CTA