In a significant step toward ensuring long-term food security, the SAHE Foundation, in partnership with Agro Nigeria, has launched the Global Youth AgriTech Network. The initiative, unveiled in Akwa Ibom State during this year’s Children’s Day celebration, aims to nurture a new generation of leaders in technology-driven agriculture.
Held at the Ati Annang Foundation Library Avenue in Ikot Ekpene, the hybrid event was themed *“Becoming Young Champions of Tech-Enabled Agriculture.”* It attracted a wide audience and underscored the importance of youth engagement in transforming agriculture across Africa.
The occasion also honored the legacy of the late Emmanuel Etokebe, former chairman of the SAHE Foundation, whose early vision for the organization continues to shape its mission.
Delivering the keynote address, Akpasam Ekanem, a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State University, highlighted Nigeria’s position at the brink of an agricultural revolution. With a youthful population and rapidly advancing digital tools, Ekanem said the country has an unprecedented opportunity to merge innovation with agriculture to address critical challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, and poor market access.
“We are not just here to discuss agriculture,” he said. “We are here to reshape its future—powered by technology, led by innovation, and driven by young Nigerians.”
He stressed that agriculture is no longer just about manual labor but increasingly driven by intelligence and innovation. From drones in Kaduna to mobile apps in Enugu, AI in Ogun, and data analytics in Kano, Ekanem described a new model of agriculture built on the fusion of business, technology, and impact.
He pointed to precision agriculture—powered by drones, sensors, and satellite imaging—as one of the transformative tools available to the sector. He also cited Nigerian agri-tech entrepreneurs like Onyeka Akumah of FarmCrowdy as proof that young innovators can revolutionize agriculture.
“You don’t need perfect conditions—just vision and drive,” he told aspiring agri-tech entrepreneurs.
Ekanem urged youth to embrace digital learning, acquire skills in coding and agri-tech, and explore entrepreneurship through small-scale projects and agri-hackathons. He also called for stronger youth collaboration and engagement with both public and private sectors for better policy support, financing, and infrastructure.
Founder of SAHE Foundation, Idongesit Mbaram, reaffirmed the event’s purpose—to empower children not just as consumers of technology, but as its creators and drivers, especially in agriculture.
“In a world increasingly shaped by technology, it is crucial that our children become innovators and leaders,” she said. “By equipping them with the tools of tech-enabled agriculture, we are not only securing their future but also ensuring food security and sustainable development for our country and the world.”
The launch of the Global Youth AgriTech Network signals a bold move toward repositioning agriculture as a dynamic, youth-led sector essential to Africa’s sustainable future.
