IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Somalia 2024

World Vision hosted the Somali Response Innovation Lab in partnership with the World Food Programme, and Somalia hosted the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge 2024.

The event brought together Somali innovators to address the pressing issues of food security and access to humanitarian aid in Somalia. The culminating Pitch Day was completed on Tuesday 10th September showcasing local innovators who had undergone a rigorous two-day boot camp, refining their solutions and business models.

Background information of the event

World Vision, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) Somalia and Shaqadoon, hosted the Ignite Food Systems Innovation Challenge pitch event on Tuesday.

The event brought together local innovators who presented their groundbreaking solutions and business models aimed at tackling food system challenges across Somalia. They pitched their ideas to a panel of judges composed of representatives from donors, WFP, World Vision, and the government, along with a wider audience.

As an innovation partner of WFP Somalia, World Vision’s Somali Response Innovation Lab has been actively working to foster new value propositions through promising innovations in food systems.

Out of 132 applicants, 10 were shortlisted and participated in a two-day boot camp to refine their presentations, and business model to prepare for the pitch event. From the 10 companies that pitched, 5 were selected to advance to the next stage. The five winners, drawn from Mogadishu and Hargeisa, are SomFarm Fresh, Raas Agribusiness, Greenlife Agribusiness Limited, Kaaliye Consulting, and Ruman.

The next step for these winners is a three-month accelerator program, where they will receive mentorship to pilot their solutions, collaborate with end users, and expand their networks.

The IGNITE Food Systems Innovation Challenge was designed to provide local innovators with a platform to showcase their innovative solutions. The event also highlighted local-led approaches to addressing food systems challenges in Somalia, inspired participants, and attracted potential investment in the most promising ideas.

Each innovator had 10 minutes to pitch their business models, emphasizing their solutions’ uniqueness, impact potential, and sustainability to a panel of judges from donors, WFP, World Vision, and the government, who provided follow-up questions and feedback.

The pitches included both in-person presentations in Mogadishu and virtual presentations from finalists based in Hargeisa, facilitated through Shaqodoon’s HarHub innovation center.