A farm land.Photo from pexels-thomas-fuhrmann-
Eleven ventures in South Sudan have been awarded a total of USD 544,000 in the 2025 WFP IGNITE Food Systems Innovation Challenge, securing funding, mentorship, and partnerships to help transform the country’s food system.
The challenge is an initiative of the IGNITE Innovation Hub of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and is implemented with AfriLabs and Seed Grow South Sudan in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Supported by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the German Development Bank, this year’s edition follows the inaugural event in 2021.
Its goal is to identify and promote locally driven solutions that address food systems challenges while strengthening resilience and fostering inclusive growth.
This support comes at a critical time when South Sudan continues to grapple with chronic food insecurity, climate shocks, and a heavy reliance on food imports.
Winners receive grants ranging between USD 20,000 and USD 40,000 alongside technical mentorship, business acceleration, and opportunities to build strategic partnerships.
According to Dr. Björn Niere, German Head of Cooperation, the challenge has become a platform for local entrepreneurs to demonstrate their potential.
“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. Germany is proud to work with WFP, DANIDA, and local partners to ensure that promising ventures can thrive and have lasting impact on communities.”
The 2025 competition attracted more than 200 entries from across the country.
After a rigorous selection process, the final eleven winners were chosen to represent a wide range of sectors including Agri-tech, post-harvest management, livestock production, and sustainable food distribution.
Among the eleven winners, the top two are Africa Cornerstone General Trading and Dream Farm Agribusiness Cooperative.
Both companies are women-led and have demonstrated strong commitments to environmental sustainability and innovation. A
Africa Cornerstone General Trading focuses on developing biodegradable and recyclable packaging solutions designed to cut food waste and reduce carbon emissions.
And Dream Farm Agribusiness Cooperative has excelled in recycling poultry manure into organic fertiliser, creating sustainable feed solutions, and introducing water-saving housing techniques to improve efficiency in livestock production.
Other winners include
- AgriSmart Farm & Urban Gardens,
- Golden Farm South Sudan Ltd,
- Hope and Care for Development, Long Puou Cooperative Society,
- Lulu Bakes,
- Mading Chan Young Network Economic Development,
- Magwi College of Agribusiness & Management Science,
- National Star Investment Co. Ltd,
- Tropical Wet Organics Ltd.
Nanko Madu, Director of Programmes at AfriLabs, described the awards as a milestone for the country’s innovation ecosystem.
“This is more than just a recognition of entrepreneurial excellence – it’s a turning point for inclusive, homegrown innovation in South Sudan. By backing visionary local businesses, we are not only fuelling 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.”
Together, they represent the diversity and resilience of local innovation across South Sudan showing the potential of small enterprises to scale and contribute significantly to food security and economic stability.
Dr. John Ogoto Kanisio, Undersecretary for Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, underlined the government’s support for the initiative and its broader goals.
“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.”
About WFP:
The United Nations World Food Program is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
About AfriLabs:
AfriLabs has a network of technology and innovation hubs across Africa, committed to driving inclusive innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Through community, capacity building, and collaboration, AfriLabs empowers local hubs to scale impact and shape the continent’s innovation future.
