By Joseph NIYOMUKIZA
Founder of Greenrev Gr
Youth Entrepreneur at LLDC3
As we look towards the coming decade, it is clear that technology will play a crucial role in unlocking agricultural opportunities in Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
As the founder of Greenrev Gr, a company pioneering agricultural innovation through controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) and urban farming in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Central African Republic and Malawi, I’ve seen firsthand how we can drive transformative change in LLDCs.
Significant opportunities lie in the agricultural sector, specifically through CEA and urban farming. This entails managing factors such as temperature, humidity, light, carbon dioxide levels and nutrient supply to create ideal conditions for crops, often in enclosed or semi-enclosed structures like greenhouses or vertical farms. While in the open field we call it Semi-CEA where we only manage factors such as humidity and nutrients.
These technologies have the potential to revolutionize food security and sustainability in LLDCs like Rwanda, Uganda, the Central African Republic and Malawi, where the agriculture sector is vital. By leveraging CEA, we can ensure year-round production of high-value crops such as horticulture and cereals, which are essential for both local consumption and export.
An important complement to CEA is digital transformation. By investing in digital infrastructure and promoting the adoption of smart technologies, LLDCs can enhance various sectors, including education, healthcare and finance. However, as we adopt more technologies, there is a corresponding increase in vulnerability. Therefore, strengthening data privacy protection and compliance is critical.
Ensuring robust data security measures can protect sensitive information and build trust among users, which is essential for the successful implementation of digital initiatives. At Greenrev Gr, we have seen firsthand how integrating technology into our agricultural practices has improved efficiency and output, but it has also required us to be vigilant about data protection to maintain the trust of our stakeholders.
Overcoming bottlenecks in infrastructure, transportation and logistics is key.
In our experience at Greenrev Gr, we have faced delays in delivery, especially in rural areas and a lack of sufficient refrigerated transport for horticultural products. These challenges have at times threatened the freshness and quality of our produce, impacting both local sales and export opportunities.
Developing infrastructure, such as dry ports and railways, is critical. However, at Greenrev Gr, we've also explored innovative logistics solutions, such as collaborating with local transport startups and utilizing a very good dry port in Rwanda to mitigate some of these challenges.
Limited access to finance remains a challenge.
Many entrepreneurs in LLDCs struggle to secure funding for their ventures. By creating innovative financing models, such as impact investing and blended finance, the private sector can provide much-needed capital to businesses that have the potential to drive economic growth and development.
Entrepreneurship hubs can help to build networks and connect with funding opportunities.
There is a need to establish hubs for entrepreneurship, equipped with quality tools and resources to support various sectors. Such hubs can serve as central points for fostering innovation, providing training, mentorship and access to markets, thus empowering entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute significantly to the economic development of LLDCs.
In our experience, entrepreneurship spaces like Norrsken House Kigali, Westerwelle Startup Haus, and Impact Hub have been invaluable. They have provided us with capacity building, networking opportunities and funding, which have been critical to our growth and success.
Collaborative efforts are needed for inclusive development.
For LLDCs to thrive, collaboration between governments, development partners and the UN system is essential. Governments need to create an enabling environment by implementing policies that support business growth and reduce regulatory barriers. Development partners and the UN can facilitate knowledge sharing and provide technical assistance to help LLDCs adopt best practices and innovative solutions. For instance, through the Africa Tech Startup Forum and the support from the African Continental Free Trade Area, we've been able to expand our market reach and learn from other successful startups across the continent.
Moreover, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation is crucial. This can be achieved through capacity building programs that equip young people and marginalized communities with the skills and resources needed to participate in the economy. We have seen the benefits of such initiatives through programs like YouthConnekt Africa, Tech Meets Farming, Circular Economy Innovation Testing Rwanda, Privaboo and Validate Global. These programs have been instrumental in strengthening creative innovation across sectors, including agriculture and technology, particularly focusing on youth and women. By prioritizing inclusivity, we can ensure that the benefits of development are shared equitably across all segments of society.
The sustainable development of LLDCs hinges on our ability to harness the potential of the private sector and foster collaborative efforts across all stakeholders.
By focusing on innovative solutions, addressing infrastructural and financial bottlenecks and promoting inclusive growth, we can unlock the vast opportunities that lie within LLDCs and drive transformative change. Also, prioritizing data privacy protection and compliance will safeguard the digital transformation process, ensuring sustainable and secure development. Establishing entrepreneurship hubs will provide the necessary tools and resources to empower entrepreneurs, driving forward economic growth and development.
Joseph is a youth leader and innovation advocate with extensive expertise in sustainable development, land rights, and climate resilience. He currently serves as the Youth and Innovation Lead at the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) Rwanda - Chapter, spearheading impactful initiatives like Climate Smart Agriculture, Waste to Energy, and Urban Farming. Joseph is also recognized globally as a UN Youth Food Systems Leader and a Global Youth Ambassador for SDG4, committed to driving transformative change in food systems, digital literacy, and youth empowerment across Africa.
