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WAF and ILF sign strategic MoU to strengthen AgTech innovation ecosystem across Africa
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Tuesday, 26 May, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The World Agriculture Forum (WAF) and Indigram Labs Foundation (ILF), signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to jointly advance AgTech innovation, startup incubation, accelerator programs, entrepreneurship development, and investment readiness platforms across Africa, beginning with an initial engagement in 10 African countries.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Ram Ghatak, Chief Executive Officer, Indigram Labs Foundation, and Mr. Jeff Peet, Director – International Affairs, World Agriculture Forum, in the presence of senior representatives of both organisations.
The partnership brings together WAF’s global multi-stakeholder platform and expanding Country Council network with ILF’s proven expertise in nurturing over 100 agri-startups through incubation, mentoring, acceleration, and market linkage support. The collaboration aims to foster innovation-driven agricultural transformation, support youth entrepreneurship, strengthen climate-resilient food systems, and promote sustainable rural prosperity across Africa.
Africa continues to hold immense agricultural potential but faces challenges related to low productivity, climate vulnerability, limited technology adoption, market inefficiencies, and access to finance. Both organisations believe that strengthening AgTech innovation ecosystems, accelerator programs, and investment-ready agri-enterprises can significantly contribute to resilient food systems, improved farmer incomes, and sustainable agricultural growth.
As part of the collaboration, the initiative aims to: Support high-impact AgTech startups and innovation ecosystems; Establish and strengthen startup incubation and accelerator programmes; Facilitate investment readiness and capital mobilisation platforms; Promote digital agriculture, AI-enabled solutions, and climate-smart farming systems; Strengthen market linkages and agri-enterprise development; Support youth and women entrepreneurship in agriculture; Foster Africa–India knowledge exchange and institutional cooperation; Advance policy dialogue and partnerships with governments and development institutions.
The collaboration is expected to support the development of 500+ agri-entrepreneurs annually, working closely with host governments, corporates, development institutions, financial institutions, foundations, and global organisations operating across Africa’s agriculture and rural development landscape.
Dr MJ Khan, executive director, WAF, said, “Africa stands at the centre of the future of global agriculture. With its vast agricultural potential, growing youth population, and increasing focus on innovation, the continent presents a tremendous opportunity for transformative agricultural development. Through this partnership with Indigram Labs Foundation, WAF seeks to build stronger innovation ecosystems, support entrepreneurs, mobilise investments, and facilitate meaningful collaborations among governments, development institutions, industry, and innovators.”
Dr Ram Ghatak, CEO, Indigram Labs Foundation, said, “Innovation, entrepreneurship, and access to markets and investments are critical for transforming African agriculture. Through this partnership with WAF, we look forward to leveraging our incubation and accelerator experience to help create scalable AgTech enterprises, empower entrepreneurs, and strengthen local ecosystems that can deliver meaningful impact to farmers and rural communities. The collaboration will initially focus on Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and others as the initiative scales. Under the partnership, WAF will provide strategic umbrella support, global positioning, international advocacy, partnership facilitation, and stakeholder engagement, while ILF will lead program implementation, startup scouting, incubation, mentoring, and ecosystem coordination.”
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