Deadline: 3rd August 2025
The Youth Agri-Innovation Challenge is part of the the Accelerating Change Through Innovation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE) Project, led by WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and organized and delivered by Challenges Ghana.
The project is dedicated to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions across Ghana. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of promoting inclusive youth employment and entrepreneurship by equipping young people, especially women and individuals from marginalized communities, with the tools, networks, and resources needed to grow their ideas into sustainable businesses.
Guided by the theme “Youth at the Frontlines of Agricultural Transformation” the project places a strong focus on highlighting youth-led agricultural innovations that are viable, sustainable, and designed to create meaningful impact.
As part of this effort, the Youth Agri-Innovation Challenge has been introduced as a two-level national pitch competition to identify, support, and showcase promising young entrepreneurs. The Zonal Pitch stage provides a platform for participants to present their business ideas, receive constructive feedback, and access mentorship and training from experienced professionals. The most outstanding participants will move on to the National Pitch Event, where they will compete for funding and opportunities to scale their businesses.
This initiative plays an essential role in building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem within agriculture and agribusiness while empowering youth to contribute to food security, economic development, and long-term sustainability across Ghana.
Zonal Pitch Week
In the first stage of the competition, 80 entrepreneurs will be selected from four zones across Ghana. This group will include 40 participants with innovative business ideas and 40 with early-stage agribusinesses. Each participant will receive training, pitch their ideas or businesses, receive expert feedback, and connect with mentors.
Zonal Breakdown
- Northern Zone: Upper East Region, Upper West Region, North East Region, Northern Region
- Middle Zone: Savannah Region, Bono Region, Ahafo Region, Bono East Region
- Transition Zone: Ashanti Region, Western North Region, Western Region
- Southern Zone: Central Region, Eastern Region, Greater Accra Region, Volta Region, Oti Region
Benefits
The top 24 finalists from the zonal pitch events will advance to the National Pitch Event in Accra, where they will compete to win a share of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 160,000) in grant funding to grow their agribusiness ventures
- Business development and pitch readiness training
- Mentorship and coaching from experienced industry professionals
- Access to investors, funders, and professional networks
- Opportunity to secure funding to launch or scale your business
- National visibility and recognition for your innovation
Eligibility
Ideation Stage Track
This track is designed for individuals or teams with new business ideas at the concept or development phase. Applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 and 35 years
- Have a business idea, proof of concept, or minimum viable product
- Be a current student or a recent graduate (within the last three years) of an ATVET institution, Farm Institute, or Agriculture College in Ghana
- Be operating or planning to operate within the agriculture or agribusiness value chain
- Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
Click here to apply for the Ideation Stage
Early-Stage Business Track
This track is intended for individuals who are already running agribusinesses and are ready to scale. Applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 and 35 years
- Be actively operating within the agriculture or agribusiness value chain
- Have been in operation for more than six months and less than three years
- Maintain financial records for at least the past three months
- Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
Click here to apply for the Early-Stage Business
For more information.