Nairobi: The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has unveiled the criteria for the Africa Food Prize 2025, a prestigious USD 100,000 award aimed at acknowledging individuals and organizations that have significantly transformed Africa's agriculture and food systems. The nomination deadline is set for June 30, 2025, with the winner announcement scheduled for September of the same year.
According to Kenya News Agency, the nominees for this year's award will be evaluated based on their contributions to poverty reduction, nutrition security, and livelihood improvements through employment and job creation. The assessment will focus on the impact, sustainability, scalability, and potential to inspire positive change within and beyond their communities.
Boaz Blackie Keizire, AGRA's Head of Policy, Advocacy, and Africa, emphasized during the launch event in Nairobi that the selection process would remain transparent, following the African Food Prize charter under the guidance of the AGRA Board. The criteria will prioritize the impact and scalability of the nominees' work in ensuring food and nutrition security.
Jakaya Kikwete, the Chair of the Africa Food Prize Committee and former Tanzanian President, highlighted that the 2025 nominations aim to discover the next generation of African food heroes whose ingenuity and resilience are shaping a brighter future for the continent. He noted that the Africa Food Prize annually highlights remarkable individuals and organizations dedicated to building a more prosperous and secure Africa.
This year's award will particularly focus on nominees demonstrating commitment in four key areas: sustainable and resilient food systems, inclusive agricultural growth empowering smallholder farmers, women, and youth, technological innovation, and market access and agribusiness development. The prize seeks to connect farmers to markets and promote value addition.
Committee member Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli pointed out the complexity of challenges facing Africa's food systems, while stressing that solutions are within reach. She encouraged nominations for leaders who innovate and challenge the status quo to build a sustainable and equitable food future for all Africans.
The Africa Food Prize, originally launched in 2005 as the Yara Prize by Norway-based Yara International ASA, was renamed in 2015 to emphasize its African identity. Past winners include Zimbabwe's Tindotenda Mhiko in 2024 for his strategic irrigation initiatives and the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) in 2023 for developing numerous bean varieties that enhance farm productivity and profitability.