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AFRICAN AGRI INVESTMENT AWARDS 2026
Recognizing the need to highlight African agricultural success, the African Agri Council proudly presents the 2nd Annual Agri Investment Indaba Awards. These awards celebrate innovation, sustainability, profitability, scalability, and entrepreneurship within the sector. Join us as we showcase the continent’s achievements and drive a positive narrative for investment in African food and agriculture
ADVISORY/AWARDS AUDIT PARTNER
2026 CATEGORIES
2025 CATEGORIES & WINNERS
Youth Engagement Award
Prof Gabbey Malope, Founder of Toutele Agriculture College, presents the Youth Engagement Award to Matsunke Malefane, accepting on behalf of winner Savanna Circuit Technologies Limited.
Winner: Savanna Circuit Technologies
Sustainability Champion Award
Changwe Kumalinga, CFO of Good Nature Agro, presents the Sustainability Champion Award to Prof. Gabbey Molope, accepting on behalf of winner SheFarms BV.
Winner: SheFarms BV
Agri-Tech Pioneer Award
Sibusiso Manana, Head of Agriculture at the Technology Innovation Agency, presents the Agri-Tech Pioneer Award to Monizé Kotzé, accepting on behalf of winner Apollo Agriculture.
Winner: Apollo Agriculture
Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Kiggundu accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the esteemed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, former President of the African Development Bank.
Winner: Dr. Akinwumi Adesina
Rising Star Award
Rising Star Award winner Zaaid Rinquest, Food Scientist for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, is celebrated for his work expanding agri-processing support to rural communities.
Winner: Zaaid RInquest
Woman of the Year Award
Thobi Mkhize, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Mondi SA, honoured for her decades of work integrating communities into the forestry value chain.
Winner: Thobi Mkhize
Innovation in Food and Agri Award
Leona Archary, CEO of the Agricultural Development Agency, presents the Innovation in Food and Agri Award to Christine Maina, accepting on behalf of winner COLDHUBS.
Winner: COLDHUBS
Deal of the Year Award
Cajou Espoir (Togo), an organic cashew processor, recognised for a technical assistance deal that integrated modern beekeeping to support over 1,500 smallholder farmers.
Winner: Cajou Espoir
OUR 2025 JUDGES
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David Akinin
Chief Executive Officer,
Jabu Logistics
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Ivor Price
Founder,
Food for Mzansi
Prof. Gabby Gostina Malope
Founder & Group CEO,
Toutele Academy
Marla Naidoo,
Regional Director:
Southern Africa, Rainforest Alliance
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Leona Archary,
Chief Executive Officer,
Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA)
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Dirk Hannekom,
Chief Executive Officer,
Agri All Africa
David Mthombeni,
Founder,
Gegana Farming
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Henry Collins Kaliisa,
Founder & Managing Director, Agro-Dynamics Limited, Uganda
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Mikateko Branny Maluleke
Chief Executive Officer,
Berakot Farms
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Dr Simphiwe Mngomezulu,
Lecturer,
University of KwaZulu-Natal
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Paulina Criticos,
Group Chief Business Growth Officer, Westfalia Fruit
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Kafui Adjogatse,
Senior Innovation Manager, IDH Trade, Farmfit Intelligence, Netherlands
Changwe Kumalinga,
Chief Financial Officer, Good Nature Agro, Zambia
Christine Maina,
Chief Executive Officer, East Africa Venture Capital Association (EAVCA)
2024 CATEGORIES & WINNERS
Deal of the Year Award
Recognizing transformative transactions in the African food and agriculture sector.
Winner: GAEA Foods
Woman of the Year Award
Celebrating the achievements of an outstanding woman in advancing agriculture and food security.
Winner: Susan Payne, Chief Executive Officer, Holistic Agricultural Investments Group
Sustainability Champion Award
Honoring commitment to sustainable practices and promoting long-term ecological balance.
Winner: Urban Farm Technology
Rising Star Award
Honoring emerging talent and dedication in African agriculture.
Winner: SIPRI Mills
Innovation in Food and Agriculture Award
Recognizing groundbreaking innovations that enhance productivity and sustainability in the sector.
Winner: Sustainable Planet
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizing a lifetime of exceptional contributions to African agriculture.
Winner: Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President, AGRA
ADVISORY/AWARDS AUDIT PARTNER
Auditing Partner: Moore Group
The African Agri Council partnered with Moore Group as the official audit sponsor for the Agri Investment Indaba Awards. Moore Group ensured that the judging process adhered to the highest standards of fairness, accuracy, and transparency by auditing and verifying the final scores of the judges.
During the awards ceremony, following the MC's acknowledgment of the judges, Monize Kotzé from Moore Group shared a few words:
"Good evening, everyone. As your auditing partners, we are pleased to confirm that the judging process adhered to the highest standards of fairness and transparency. We’ve reviewed and verified the calculations, and I’m happy to report that all award categories are perfectly aligned. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!"
This year’s awards reinforced the African Agri Council’s commitment to recognizing excellence and fostering innovation and sustainability within the food and agriculture sector. We look forward to celebrating even greater achievements in the years to come
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