Accelerating Innovation & Sustaining Futures β Acelera's Impact on Angola's Agri-Food Ecosystem
Africa Tech Talks
Intro
This chapter delves into the significance of structured programs for entrepreneurs, highlighting the need for mentorship and targeted support in validating business ideas. It also discusses a program designed to enhance practical knowledge for students and foster a supportive community for those in the agri-tech and food-tech sectors.
Join us for an insightful episode of Africa Tech Talks featuring Luimar Silva from Aselera Angola and Soha Nasser from Acelera Agro, as they unveil their pivotal role in nurturing Angola's entrepreneurial landscape and revolutionising its agri-food sector.
Discover Acelera Angola's primary mission, founded in 2017, to boost and support a conducive entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, facilitating the transition of nascent ideas into real, sustainable businesses. Luimar details how Acelera provides comprehensive end-to-end support, from validating solutions and business modelling for new ideas to market expansion and scaling for more mature ventures.
They act as a vital bridge, connecting entrepreneurs with the right mentors, specialists, and institutions, offering diverse programs, events, mentorship formats, and even co-working facilities. Learn about their Growth Lab program, specifically designed for seasoned startups to structure their businesses, enhance their appeal to investors, and accelerate their growth.
The conversation then shifts to Aselera's broader contribution to Angola's economic development. Luimar explains their focus on job creation, strengthening the private sector, and driving economic diversification away from oil and gas. They address the critical challenge of ensuring business sustainability in a country where much entrepreneurial activity stems from necessity.
Soha Nasser introduces Acelera Agro, a powerful spin-off dedicated to transforming the agri-food sector across Angola and Sub-Saharan Africa. She highlights the pressing challenges in this sector, including a dire lack of infrastructure, technical capabilities, and crucially, the need to make agriculture appealing to the youth6. Acelera Agro uniquely replicates Acelera Angola's support model while also operating its own farms, providing hands-on practical experience for agricultural engineering students and experimental grounds for agri-tech entrepreneurs. Furthermore, their food production on these farms ensures a sustainable revenue stream for the organisation.
Gain insights into the lessons learned from their engagement with farmers and agripreneurs, particularly the urgent need for improved infrastructure and mechanisation to increase the current low agricultural yield in Sub-Saharan Africa. Soha shares Acelera Agro's personal mission to convince young people that agriculture offers immense potential for growth and innovation, challenging the perception that it is solely linked to poverty.
Looking ahead, the discussion explores Acelera's vision for the next 6-24 months, emphasising increased focus on import substitution to reduce Angola's reliance on foreign goods, the development of food processing for added value, and the critical demand for innovative solutions in agricultural logistics and infrastructure.
Finally, the episode underscores the transformative role of technology and innovation in agriculture, from biotechnology and improved seeds to IoT, drones, big data, and machine learning, all crucial for enhancing productivity, reducing significant food waste, and ensuring global food security. Don't miss this compelling discussion on how Acelera is building a robust, sustainable future for Angola and beyond, with all their programs being free for entrepreneurs through the support of their partners.
π Connect with the Guests
Luimar Silva
* π LinkedIn: luimarsilva
* π Project Website: acelerangola.com
* π± Instagram: @acelera_angola π LinkedIn (Acelera): /company/acelera-angola
Soha Nasser
* π LinkedIn: soha-nasser
* π Project Website: acelerangola.com/agrowebsite
* π± Instagram: @acelera_agro LinkedIn (Acelera Agro): /company/acelera-agro
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