Preparing next generation of entrepreneurs to transform Africa’s food ecosystem

Sahel Consulting and Nourishing Africa held a virtual conference on Monday, 22nd March 2021, to

celebrate the launch of a new book titled: Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses and discuss the theme – “Preparing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs to Transform Africa’s Food Ecosystem.” Over 600 participants from across the globe joined this virtual event.

In her welcome address, the author, Mrs. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, who is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sahel Consulting and the Chair of Nourishing Africa, highlighted the journey that led her to write the book, including her experiences as an entrepreneur in the food and agriculture sector and her engagement with entrepreneurs across Africa. She also shared the critical ingredients for starting and scaling successfully and resilient businesses. She underscored the need for Africans to own and drive the transformation of food systems on the continent.

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The keynote speaker, Dr. Shawn Baker, Chief Nutritionist of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), emphasized the immense potential of the food and agricultural sector to absorb the teeming population of young people on the continent. He commended the practical how-to approach taken in the book and expressed delight at the inclusion of the much-needed chapters on leadership team management and technology to address the dearth of resources on these areas in the landscape.

Rebecca Marsh, representing the Routledge Publishing team, also commended the practical, action-oriented, can-do approach taken by the book in addressing the most pressing issues of sustainability and resilience from multiple perspectives.

The distinguished panelists – Nathalie Akon Gabala, Regional Director – West, Central and Northern Africa of Mastercard Foundation, Professor Chris Ogbechie, Dean and Professor of Strategic Management of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, the Chief Executive Officer of blueMoon Ethiopia, Mr. William Asiko, Managing Director of the Rockefeller Africa Regional Office and Mrs. Mbali Nwoko, Founder and CEO of Green Terrace, South Africa provided valuable insights on the theme – “Preparing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs to Transform Africa’s Food Ecosystem.”

Mrs. Mbali Nwoko highlighted the importance of support networks for key players in entrepreneurial development and her commitment to facilitating access to these networks for emerging entrepreneurs through blogging and podcasting. Prof. Chris Ogbechie also described interventions of the Lagos Business School aimed at attracting young people to the agricultural sector, such as the Agribusiness Management Programme. He further noted the urgent need to enhance the quality of the agriculture curriculum in tertiary institutions to include experiential learning.