Earlier this year in Abuja, Heifer International quietly set the tone for agritech innovation in Nigeria with the launch of the 2026 AYuTe Nigeria Challenge. The initiative is part of Heifer’s broader effort to support young entrepreneurs who are using technology to solve real problems across agriculture, especially for smallholder farmers who still form the backbone of the country’s food system.
AYuTe, which stands for Agriculture, Youth and Technology, is Heifer International’s flagship programme for connecting youth innovation with agricultural development. While the Africa-wide AYuTe Challenge awards over one million dollars annually to agritech startups across the continent, the Nigeria edition focuses specifically on nurturing homegrown solutions that can scale locally and improve productivity, income, and resilience for farmers.
For 2026, the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge is offering a total of forty thousand dollars in grant funding to the top three startups. The winner will receive twenty thousand dollars, while the first and second runners-up will receive twelve thousand and eight thousand dollars respectively. Beyond funding, selected startups will also receive business advisory support aimed at helping them refine their models, strengthen operations, and prepare for growth. The goal is not just to reward good ideas, but to help viable businesses mature into sustainable enterprises.
This year’s challenge places strong emphasis on climate-smart and market-ready solutions. With climate variability, rising input costs, and market access still major concerns for farmers, Heifer International is prioritising innovations that can deliver measurable impact at scale. These include technologies that improve access to information, finance, inputs, and markets, while also strengthening agricultural value chains across different regions of the country.
Since its launch in Nigeria in 2022, the AYuTe Challenge has attracted thousands of applications from young innovators nationwide. Past winners have gone on to expand into multiple states, increase their farmer reach, and deploy digital tools that connect producers more efficiently to buyers and financial services. These outcomes highlight the growing role of youth-led technology in reshaping how agriculture works in practice, not just on paper.
Applications for the 2026 edition are open to Nigerian founders between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five who are leading registered Agri tech businesses with demonstrated traction. The selection process will narrow applicants down to a shortlist before a final pitch event where the winners will be announced. Throughout the process, Heifer International is working with ecosystem partners to ensure that selected solutions are both technically sound and commercially viable.
At its core, the AYuTe Nigeria Challenge reflects a broader shift in how agricultural development is approached. Rather than focusing solely on aid or policy, it recognises that young entrepreneurs, when supported with the right capital and guidance, can build technologies that drive food security, create jobs, and strengthen rural economies. In 2026, that approach is proving to be less about grand promises and more about practical progress.
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