TheCable

The African Food Changemakers (AFC), an organisation that supports agribusiness, has announced plans to train women across the continent on agribusiness value chain. 

In a statement, AFC said the programme, leading African women in food fellowship (LAWFF), will train 31 fellows across five dynamic categories — disruptors, trailblazers, food & beverage narrative changers, top chefs in Africa, and ecosystem enablers.

Ndidi Nwuneli, AFC founder, unveiled the 2024 cohort on March 8, during a virtual launch in collaboration with Sahel Consulting.

“The selection process for these exceptional fellows was rigorous, involving meticulous nomination, thorough screening, and a comprehensive review by an independent selection committee comprised of distinguished leaders in the gender equality movement and the food ecosystem,” the statement reads.

“Each fellow represents a beacon of excellence and innovation, embodying the spirit of progress and inclusivity within the agrifood system.”

AFC said the LAWFF “represents the latest effort” to support agri-food entrepreneurs in Africa, adding that since 2019, several programmes have been implemented, impacting over 22,718 young entrepreneurs across the agriculture value chain.

“The LAWFF programme, with its transformative potential, is not just recognising outstanding achievements but also shaping a future where African women in agriculture shine, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural landscape,” AFC said.

AFC said the programme was “born out of a commitment to amplify, champion, and advance the work of African women changemakers”.

The group said in the inaugural year of 2023, LAWFF empowered over 25 women fellows through intensive training, mentorship, visibility enhancement, media advocacy, and strategic connections.

Nwuneli said the fellowship was “established to address the limited participation of female voices in agricultural dialogues across diverse platforms, including conferences, and to provide support in overcoming the challenges they encounter throughout their careers”.