The search is on for the winner of the 2018 Africa Food Prize – the award recognises outstanding individuals or institutions that are leading the effort to change the reality of farming in Africa from a struggle to survive to a business that thrives.
The $100,000 prize celebrates Africans who are taking control of Africa’s agriculture agenda. It puts a bright spotlight on bold initiatives and technical innovations that can be replicated across the continent to create a new era of food security and economic opportunity for all Africans.
The 2017 Prize was jointly awarded to Hon. Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, a professor and advocate of nutrition from Kenya, and Mme Maïmouna Sidibe Coulibaly, an entrepreneur and agro-industrialist from Mali, for their exemplary efforts in driving Africa’s agriculture transformation.
Hon. Prof. Ruth Oniang’o was recognized as the leading voice of nutrition in Africa and for her relentless advocacy for the availability and affordability of diverse and nutritious crops for millions across the continent. Mme Maïmouna Sidibe Coulibaly, on the other hand, was feted for her mission to produce and supply improved and high-yielding seed that has led to improved incomes and nutrition for millions in Mali and other West African countries
The 2018 winner will be chosen by the Africa Food Prize Committee, an independent body of preeminent leaders that is chaired by the former Nigerian President, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo.
“The past two cycles of the prize show that the continent has strong agricultural leaders in all sectors. We are very grateful to the public for helping us to identify and recognise the best among us by nominating outstanding individuals, institutions and projects. My committee and I look forward to receiving many more nominations this year,” said Obasanjo.
