Nigerian agri-tech start-up, among World Food Prize finalists
A Nigerian agri-tech startup, Vet Konect Ltd, has been announced as one of the top three global finalists at the inaugural World Food Prize ‘Innovate for Impact Challenge’, recognizing pioneering solutions reshaping global food systems.
Selected from nearly 400 applications spanning 65 countries, Vet Konect joined Argentina’s APOLO Biotech and India’s Capsber Agriscience as standout innovators after a 10-month global competition aimed at spotlighting early-stage, tech-driven agri-solutions.
At the 2025 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Iowa, U.S., Vet Konect’s founder and CEO, Terese Shadrach Akpem, pitched the company’s innovation live before an expert panel, securing first runner-up position and a $10,000 prize.
Vet Konect was commended for reimagining animal healthcare across Africa by leveraging mobile connectivity and artificial intelligence to deliver accessible veterinary services and social protection to livestock farmers, bridging geographical and systemic barriers.
In 2024, the startup had already gained international attention when it was listed among the World Food Prize’s “Top AgriFood Pioneers”, celebrating 38 change agents transforming global food systems.
Argentina’s APOLO Biotech, led by co-founder and CEO Matias Badano, emerged as overall winner, claiming the $50,000 grand prize for its RNA-based solutions addressing climate stress in agriculture and reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides. India’s Capsber Agriscience took third place and $5,000, recognized for its microbiome technology that replaces chemical fertilizers with biological alternatives.
According to Tom Vilsack, CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation, “Innovation is the key to solving today’s agricultural challenges and securing a sustainable future for global food systems. By empowering startups to break new ground, we are cultivating the next generation of visionaries who will help feed the world and protect our planet.”
The Innovate for Impact Challenge, launched in 2024, continues to serve as a platform for visionary entrepreneurs whose scalable, sustainable solutions drive food security and agricultural transformation worldwide.
Source: Business Day
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The emergence of Vet Konect Ltd among global innovators marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s agri-tech ecosystem. It symbolizes how African startups are moving beyond pilot projects to secure their place on international platforms that define the future of food systems. This recognition not only validates local innovation but also demonstrates the continent’s growing influence in shaping sustainable agriculture through technology and data-driven solutions.
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Nigeria’s Expanding Agri-Tech Frontier: Vet Konect’s global spotlight underscores Nigeria’s evolution from traditional agriculture to technology-led agribusiness. This progress affirms the country’s potential as a hub for scalable digital solutions in food systems.
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Reimagining Livestock Health: By merging AI and mobile connectivity, Vet Konect addresses one of Africa’s biggest productivity gaps — livestock health management in rural areas. This innovation can drastically reduce animal mortality and financial loss for smallholders.
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Investor Confidence in African Innovation: Recognition by the World Food Prize strengthens Africa’s reputation as a credible space for agritech investment, inviting venture capital attention toward AI and data intelligence for animal systems.
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Global Shift Toward Biological & Digital Systems: The top three finalists collectively reflect a global transition toward biotechnological, sustainable, and low-carbon agricultural models, which redefine productivity around ecology and efficiency.
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Collaborative Systems Thinking: The competition’s outcome highlights the emerging consensus that transformation will come not from isolated innovations but from interconnected systems integrating technology, nature, and finance.
Conclusion
Vet Konect’s achievement is more than an award; it is a signal of Africa’s readiness to contribute to the next wave of global food innovation. By scaling such systems-driven solutions, the continent can build a future where animal health, technology, and sustainability converge to feed its population and power its economies. For stakeholders, this is a call to strengthen investments in systemic agritech models that drive inclusion, resilience, and shared prosperity.
