JUBA – Eleven innovative ventures in South Sudan have secured 544,000 U.S. dollars through the World Food Programme (WFP) IGNITE Food Systems Innovation Challenge, aimed at driving change in the country’s food system.
The funding scheme launched earlier this year is supported by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the German Development Bank, KfW.
The winners received grant funding ranging from USD 20,000 to USD 40,000, alongside access to expert mentorship, business acceleration, and the chance to establish strategic partnerships.
The top two winners are Africa Cornerstone General Trading and Dream Farm Agribusiness Cooperative.
Both companies are proudly women-led and have demonstrated remarkable commitment to environmental sustainability.
Africa Cornerstone General Trading’s innovation deals in biodegradable and recyclable packaging solutions designed to reduce food waste and lower carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, Dream Farm Agribusiness Cooperative also excelled in recycling poultry manure as organic fertilizer, developing sustainable feed solutions, and employing efficient water-saving housing.
A joint press release issued on Wednesday by WFP, Dr. John Ogoto Kanisio, Undersecretary for Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, affirmed that building sustainable food systems is the cornerstone to boost food security, economic sovereignty, and climate resilience.
“By investing in young, innovative entrepreneurs, we are not only creating jobs, but we are also unlocking rural potential, driving inclusive agribusiness growth, and cultivating a new generation of leaders who will position South Sudan competitively in regional and global markets,” Kanisio said.
“The Ministry is fully committed to this vision, and we call on all partners to join us in empowering youth to lead the transformation of our food systems.”
For his part, Dr. Björn Niere, German Head of Cooperation, said the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge shows the power of homegrown solutions by local entrepreneurs.
“Sustainable food systems need exactly these innovations. They also require strong partnerships, clear standards, and a safe and free environment for ideas to grow,” he said.
Niere added that “Germany is proud to work with WFP, DANIDA, and local partners to ensure that promising ventures can thrive and have a lasting impact on communities.”
Meanwhile, Adham Effendi, WFP’s Acting Country Director in South Sudan, said that “lack of access to finance and technical support is suffocating the innovations of South Sudanese young entrepreneurs.”
“Through generous support from DANIDA and KfW, we are reaching bright and talented entrepreneurs to unlock their potential and provide solutions to food system challenges,” he said.
Nanko Madu, Director of Programs at AfriLabs, said this is more than just a recognition of entrepreneurial excellence, saying it is a turning point for inclusive, homegrown innovation in the country.
“By backing visionary local businesses, we are not only fueling sustainable economic growth but also proving that transformative change can and must come from within. These entrepreneurs are the architects of a more food-secure, climate-resilient future for South Sudan.”
The challenge is a brainchild of the IGNITE Innovation Hub of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and is implemented through its partners AfriLabs and Seed Grow South Sudan in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The IGNITE Food Systems Challenge seeks to find and promote locally driven solutions to food system challenges.
Sudans Post dimwits, where are you going with ceaseless cheap propaganda? Don’t you idiots know that Organisations like WFP get their donations from other countries, multinational corporations and international banking institutions in some cases?
Sudans Post, there are really needy people in North Sudan, Somalia, Abesh (so-called Ethiopia), Middle Eastern countries of Yemen, Gaza and West Bank in Palestine, Syria; Afghanistan in Asia, Haiti in Caribbean islands and so on.
The UN and its organisations can go and IGNITE Funding in those countries and leave South Sudan and South Sudanese people alone.
But as with all targeted and organised propaganda campaigns it is always about South Sudan and South Sudanese people.
And to show these propagandists are pretty much poor at their cheap propaganda campaigns. These low lives have been inform time and time again that countries are NOT developed by the UN, NGOs or donations.
Sudans Post fellows, be warned you are on South Sudan and South Sudanese cross hairs. Your propaganda war machine against South Sudan and South Sudanese has gone too far and has become a big menace to our country and our people existential existence.