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AYuTe NextGen

AGTECH GENERATION RISING

About AYuTe NextGen

AYuTe NextGen gathering serves as a vibrant platform within the AYuTe Africa NextGen initiative by Heifer International. The 2025 edition, scheduled for June 17th - 19th, 2025, at the Speke Resort and Conference Center, Munyonyo, Uganda, will be a dynamic event themed “AgTech Generation Rising”.

The conference will feature bold, youth-led conversations and solution-driven panels, envisioning an agricultural future shaped by a new generation of tech-enabled innovators. Attendees can also explore an immersive expo showcasing cutting-edge innovations in agritech and agribusiness.

A major highlight is the AYuTe NextGen Regional Competition Finale, where standout agritech innovators will pitch solutions in three key areas: Access to Markets, Access to Finance and Climate-Smart Agriculture—all aimed at unlocking scalable solutions for Africa’s smallholder farmers.

Through collaborative dialogue, experiential learning and engagement, AYuTe Next Gen encapsulates the vitality of African youth, the spirit of innovation, and the empowerment of young people. This convergence of elements aims to catalyze prosperity for smallholder farmers while fostering sustainable growth in agriculture across the continent.

What awaits you at AYuTe NextGen?

  • Exclusive access to some of Africa's biggest investors, VCs and industry leaders.

  • Discover business and career opportunities that exist in Africa’s agriculture.

  • Make your voice heard! Participate in engaging and insightful youth-led conversations.

  • Watching live pitches of some of Africa's brightest minds.

  • Immerse yourself in the latest innovations transforming agriculture in Africa.

  • Enjoy the best of Ugandan culture and entertainment!

  • The AYuTe Africa NextGen, an initiative of Heifer International, was established in 2021 as an agribusiness innovation initiative designed to catalyze ground-up innovation that address challenges faced by smallholder farmers at scale, providing the incubation and catalytic financing needed for these businesses to scale. AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth and Technology) combines the power of African youth with the many possibilities of emerging technologies to support smallholder farmers across the continent grow their businesses and incomes.

    Central to the initiative is a competition that encourages the development of agritech businesses, particularly by young Africans who might not otherwise engage in agricultural innovation. Winners get cash prizes and technical support to scale their innovations and subsequently support more smallholders.

    The program also seeks to elevate agriculture as a desirable career for young Africans with several opportunities for leveraging and integrating technology from farm to market, making the sector more attractive to the next generation of farmers. Heifer International’s support for these innovators also extends to leveraging innovative capital and strategic partnerships to help the AYuTe Africa Champions translate this funding into business expansion strategies.