Connect with us

Business

Applications Open for the 7th Annual GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition – Africa’s Youth Agrifood Entrepreneurs Invited to Drive Food Systems Transformation with a US$160,000 Prize Pool

Published

on

GoGettaz

Africa’s high entrepreneurship rates further underscore the continent as a potential global leader in youth-driven enterprise, innovation, and job creation

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 3, 2025/APO Group/ –The 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize launches its seventh annual competition today in search for Africa’s most promising young co-founders and founders across Africa who have launched businesses across Africa’s agrifood value chain “from seed to fork”. Judges will be looking for innovative, scalable, and impact-driven agripreneurs (aged 18 to 35) who have built tech-savvy, sustainable businesses tackling food security, job creation, and equitable economic growth. Applications are open from 3 April to 10 June 2025. https://GoGettaz.Africa

In September 2025, GoGettaz finalists will pitch their businesses live on stage in Dakar, Senegal during the annual Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) taking place 31 August to 5 September 2025. Two grand prizes of US$50,000 each will be awarded to the most outstanding male and female-led agribusinesses. An additional US$60,000 in Impact Awards will recognize businesses excelling in key areas such as technology, innovation, nutrition, food security, improving rural livelihoods, climate resilience, gender equity, natural resource conservation, and job creation.

The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition is an integral part of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), the world’s premier forum for African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical action and share lessons that will empower Africa’s young leaders for food systems transformation.

With the 2025 AFSF theme “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation,” the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize competition is set to empower youth entrepreneurs from across West, Northern, Southern, Central, and Eastern Africa who looking to showcase, grow, and scale, their agrifood businesses.

As Africa faces mounting challenges of lack of infrastructure, access to finance, job creation, and food insecurity, its youth are stepping up as powerful agents of transformation. From the bustling trade hubs of West Africa to the agricultural heartlands of Southern Africa, young innovators are developing solutions that not only tackle immediate crises but also pave the way for a sustainable future. The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition serves as a platform for these change-makers, offering mentorship, exposure, networking, and resources to enhance their impact across Africa’s diverse regions.

“I am continually amazed by the ingenuity and determination of the young entrepreneurs we meet through the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition each year,” said Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yara International and GoGettaz co-founder. “Their ability to leverage technology and innovative business models showcases the immense potential of the agrifood sector and the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in sustainable development. As we launch the 2025 campaign, we are inspired by the opportunity to empower and support young entrepreneurs who are enhancing job creation, uplifting communities, and nourishing Africa’s growing population.”

With Africa set to represent one-quarter of the global population and one-third of the world’s youth by 2050, according to United Nations projections, the continent’s youth, over 70% who are younger than 30 years of age, hold immense potential. Africa’s high entrepreneurship rates further underscore the continent as a potential global leader in youth-driven enterprise, innovation, and job creation.

“Africa’s youth are brimming with creative energy and ideas to solve myriad problems with innovative solutions,” remarked GoGettaz co-founder Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Econet Group who also served as Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa for several years.

“They aren’t waiting around for the perfect conditions; they are seizing the moment and embracing technology to revolutionize the agrifood industry across the continent,” he noted. “They are launching remarkable ventures, but to ensure they can grow and scale, our youth need the right support, access to capital, skills, and enabling environments to grow their young businesses into multimillion-dollar pan-African and global agribusinesses.”

“Our amazing young entrepreneurs deserve both recognition and support, which is why GoGettaz exists.” he said.

Since its inception in 2019, the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition has spotlighted diverse young entrepreneurs building innovative agribusinesses from traditional farming operations to high-tech AI-driven ventures. The 2025 competition is open to all African agripreneur-led businesses with headquarters on the African continent. Applications will be accepted in English and French.

The 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition is a rallying point for Africa’s brightest young minds to pioneer transformative solutions and drive meaningful change

“The 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition is a rallying point for Africa’s brightest young minds to pioneer transformative solutions and drive meaningful change.” said Amath Pathe Sene, Managing Director of the Africa Food Systems Forum.

“As Africa leads the charge in innovating for resilience, I am eager to see the groundbreaking climate-smart solutions that emerge from the 2025 contestants. The 2024 winners set a high standard by using innovative techniques aimed at preserving nutritional value using renewable energy and natural fibers to produce eco-friendly sanitary pads, improving health and hygiene. With food security under threat, exacerbated by climate change, Africa’s agripreneurs are rising to the challenge, transforming agricultural practices, and spearheading sustainable technologies.” he said.

Beyond the prize money, top finalists will gain access to mentorship, training, introduction to investors, and other opportunities for collaboration.

How to Apply

GoGettaz invites young African agripreneurs across the continent to join the GoGettaz vibrant community and participate in the 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition. Eligible applicants must :

  • Be 35 or younger at the time of submission.
  • Be a citizen of an African Union member country.
  • Serve as a founder or co-founder of a legally registered venture operating in Africa (ventures must be registered by 10 June 2025).

Application Process :

  1. Join the GoGettaz Community: Follow @ GoGettazAfrica on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube to connect with peers and industry leaders. Share your journey using hashtags #GrowEntrepreneurs and #TransformFood.
  2. Visit the GoGettaz Website: Access resources, eligibility details, terms and conditions, and updates at https://GoGettaz.Africa.
  3. Submit Your Entry: Complete the online competition application on the website. You can save and revisit your application to ensure quality. https://GoGettaz.Africa
  4. Meet the Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 10 June 2025 to be considered for the US$160,000 prize pool and a chance to pitch LIVE at the AFSF Summit in Dakar, Senegal in September.

For additional details, to apply, or to learn how you can contribute to driving sustainable food systems transformation in Africa, visit https://GoGettaz.Africa. Stay engaged by connecting with @ GoGettazAfrica on social media.

Application Deadline: 10 June 2025

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition

Business

Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

Published

on

The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

Published

on

As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Continue Reading

Business

Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

Published

on

The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version