By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA — Youth-led agritech startups across Nigeria are set to compete for funding and growth opportunities as applications open for the 2026 AYuTe Nigeria Challenge.

AYuTe, short for Agriculture, Youth, and Technology, is Heifer International’s flagship initiative aimed at backing proven, farmer-ready innovations with the power to reshape Africa’s food systems.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Thursday, Country Director for Nigeria at Heifer International, Dr Lekan Tobe, said for 2026, the challenge targets climate-smart solutions that are technically sound and capable of improving livelihoods for the millions of smallholder farmers at the heart of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

Tobe said while the regional AYuTe Africa Challenge awards more than US$1 million annually to leading agritech innovators across Africa, the national competitions, including AYuTe Nigeria, award prizes up to $40,000 within each country.

He emphasised that beyond cash grants, the programme is designed to serve as a launchpad for youth-led enterprises developing climate-smart and market-ready technologies that address gaps across agricultural value chains.

“Heifer will provide winners with catalytic funding totaling $40,000, with the grand prize winner receiving $20,000, the first runner-up $12,000, and the second runner-up $8,000. In addition to the cash prizes, Heifer will provide post-award business advisory support to translate their ideas into business expansion strategies.

“Our food systems require more than just incremental change; they require a transformative force. Through AYuTe, we are combining the power of African youth with the many possibilities of emerging technologies. We are not just awarding grants; we are nurturing an innovation pipeline that secures a sustainable and dynamic future for Nigeria’s agricultural sector,” he said.

The Communications Manager of Heifer Nigeria, Chuba Ezeigwe, said that since its inception in 2022, the challenge has had over 2000 entries, with several winners, a push to position young people as central drivers of agricultural transformation.

He explained that the initiative prioritises solutions that address real farmer needs while also supporting enterprises that can scale sustainably and create employment across rural communities.

In his words, “AYuTe is about seeing the big picture. By amplifying youth-led innovations, we are showing that young people are the architects of Nigeria’s agri-future. We are empowering changemakers to create jobs while solving the daily needs and challenges of smallholder farmers.”

This year’s challenge, Ezeigwe said, will culminate in a grand finale in May 2026, where selected finalists will pitch their solutions for a share of the $40,000 funding pool.