By:
Robert Kwaku Annor
Smart Africa has
participated in the Global AgriInno Challenge (GAC) 2026 in Hangzhou, China,
joining discussions on agrifood innovation, investment and the conditions
needed to help ventures scale in challenging markets.
The challenge was
co-organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Zhejiang
University and Pinduoduo, bringing together stakeholders focused on innovation
and investment across the agrifood sector.
As part of its
participation, Smart Africa was represented by Rabeb Hamdani on a panel focused
on Agrifood Innovation and Investment. The discussion examined the practical
requirements for building and scaling ventures in difficult markets, including
access to funding, talent and the broader ecosystem conditions needed for
sustainable growth.
Smart Africa said the
discussions highlighted that capital alone cannot resolve the challenges facing
fragmented innovation ecosystems. Entrepreneurs also require connections to
investors, ecosystem builders and policymakers who can help create the conditions
for promising ideas to move beyond early-stage development.
This thinking is reflected
in SANIA, Smart Africa's approach to connecting entrepreneurs, investors,
ecosystem builders and policymakers to strengthen collaboration across the
innovation ecosystem.
Through such connections,
Smart Africa is seeking to improve the prospects for promising ideas to access
the resources, partnerships and enabling environment required to scale.
