Empowerment of Young Agricultural Producers in Africa (EYPA) Mentorship Programme - Finalists 2025

Kigali, Rwanda.  Finalists and winners of the EYPA Mentorship Programme's final pitching event

Empowerment of Young Agricultural Producers in Africa (EYPA) Mentorship Programme

First Cohort of Mentees (Finalists) 2025

MENTEES (FINALISTS AND WINNERS)

1.            Augustine Appiah-Kubi

Augustine Appiah-Kubi is a 33-year-old crop farmer who has lived and farmed in Kumasi-Ashanti (Ghana) for over 10 years along with his wife Amamatu Abubakar and his two children. He grows maize, ginger, turmeric, cocoa, palm oil, plantain, cassava, cocoyam and beans. Mr Appiah-Kubi is setting up a processing center to bridge the post-harvest loss gap and to add value to crop produce cultivated by smallholder farmers in Atwima Foase, in Atwima Kwanwoma District, Ashanti region.                                                                                                                

2.            Crispin Malamba Muana

Mr Muana is young farmer from the province of Kasaï-Oriental in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has always been passionate about agriculture, inspired by his father who grew vegetables at home. After obtaining his state diploma, Mr Muana decided to start working in the agricultural sector in 2017. He started his own small farm, where he specialized in market gardening. Mr Muana’s main goal is to produce healthy and sustainable food while respecting the environment.  Today, he has a degree in Agronomy, which he obtained thanks to market gardening and the income from selling vegetables. In 2023, Mr Muana had the honor of receiving the Young Hope of the DRC in Agriculture Award. Today, he continues to develop his business and inspire other young people, dreaming of expanding his farm and contributing to food security in his community, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices for a better future.      

3.            Emmett K-Max. Paye

Mr Paye is an entrepreneur, emerging development practitioner, and social activist with over 8 years of experience. Mr Paye is the Founder and CEO of the Liberia Agri Processing Venture, Inc., a social venture that produces nutritional food products. He is passionate about creating impact in the lives of vulnerable communities, promoting, food security, nutrition, and livelihoods for women and youth. Mr Paye currently works as Sr. MEAL & Research Officer at YOCEL. He is also the project lead and M&E Officer for the USAID Youth Advance Project at YOCEL. Mr Paye has experience in conducting local labor market assessment and implementation research, a new emerging project management model. He is the first young emerging development practitioner in Liberia who has conducted Implementation Research (IR) helping YOCEL to make informed decision. Mr Paye has contributed towards youth development community, and at national, and international levels by serving as ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation in Liberia, as lead campaigner for the Bong University Students Union, and as a mentor for several young people in Liberia. Mr Paye holds a BSc degree in Accounting, with a minor in Public Administration from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University.      

4.            Judith Kipchumba

Judith Kipchumba is an agribusiness professional and Founder of Spring Agriventure, a farmer service center based in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya. The enterprise supports smallholder farmers through potato seed multiplication, acquisition, distribution, and supplying certified seeds and other farm inputs. It provides climate-smart agriculture training through on-farm demonstrations, market linkages, and agribusiness support services. Ms Kipchumba holds a Master’s degree in Agrienterprise Development and has extensive experience in sustainable agriculture, farmer capacity building, and inclusive agribusiness development. She has worked with organizations such as the Cereal Growers Association and Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation. She is an alumna of the Young Farmer Exchange Program in Germany, where she gained hands-on experience in regenerative and organic farming. Passionate about youth and women's empowerment, Ms Kipchumba is committed to improving rural livelihoods and advancing climate-resilient agriculture across Kenya.             

5.            Juliet Luka          

Ms Luka is a highly motivated and experienced agricultural economist with a strong background in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, social work, extension services, and project management. With a proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including youth, women in communities, and several organizations, she aims to improve productivity and livelihoods. She is also passionate about employability, continuous learning, and professional development. Ms Luka is proficient in computer applications and she is a strong advocate for gender inclusion, sustainable agriculture, and community development.  

6.            Mary May Msigwa

From a young age, Ms Msigwa has been inspired by agriculture’s ability to nourish both people and the planet. Witnessing the environmental impact of traditional farming sparked a lifelong passion for sustainable solutions. Through several hands-on experience with respected organizations like VSO Tanzania, Cuso International, Don Bosco Dodoma, Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), and University of Iringa through Kiota Hub, Ms Msigwa developed skills to turn that passion into impactful action. CAM3 Horticultural Farm is the realization of that journey, a place where innovative, sustainable practices grow not only fresh, delicious produce but also a healthier future. At CAM3 Farm, it is believed that healthy food shouldn't come at the planet's expense. CAM3 is committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable agriculture, proving that responsible farming can yield exceptional produce and strengthen communities.   

7.            Masoma Iya Malie Moto

Ms Iya is a young and driven community change enthusiast from Cameroon with a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is passionate about health, nutrition and equalizing access to education using technology. Ms Iya is also an alumna of the Yali West Africa leadership initiative. She is committed to creating positive change in communities through active participation in leadership development programs.    

8.            Norbert Ngabo

Mr Ngabo aims to champion sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the environment, focusing on techniques that reduce environmental impact while boosting agricultural productivity. This includes implementing eco-friendly technologies and promoting the use of renewable energy in agriculture. Protecting biodiversity is at the core of his mission. By engaging with different stakeholders, Mr Ngabo seek to contribute to efforts that safeguard ecosystems and species, creating a more resilient and balanced environment for future generations. His efforts in biodiversity preservation have seen the restoration of 10+ hectares of natural habitat, creating sustainable ecosystems for local wildlife. Through collaborations with other environmental leaders, he has contributed to policy discussions aimed at fostering long-term environmental sustainability in agriculture.  

9.            Niba Herbert     

Mr Herbert is a passionate Cameroonian entrepreneur and student of International Relations and Conflict Resolution at the University of Buea. He is the founder of Herbert’s Fruit Shakes, a venture that empowers youths through agro-processing and that promotes healthy and sustainable food systems. With a strong background in logistics, marketing, and food preservation, Mr Herbert has worked with organizations like Afrobrians Cameroon and Dfarma Ventures. He is committed to driving food security, youth employment, and innovation in Africa’s agricultural sector.

10.          Nora Kungang Ambotaba (winner)          

Ms Kungang Ambotaba is an Agricultural Engineer with a Master’s degree in Crop Production from the University of Buea, Cameroon. She is a UN SDG proponent, a career coach, and a passionate advocate for youth and women’s empowerment. Ms Kungang Ambotaba is the Founder/CEO of KingsCombo Sarl, an agricultural company committed to empowering farmers through innovative training, expert consultancy, and cutting-edge agricultural solutions. KingsCombo specializes in maize cultivation and value chain enhancement, producing high-quality maize derivatives that contribute to food security, sustainable development, and economic growth. In addition to her agricultural work, Ms Kungang Ambotaba is the Founding President of The CURE, a humanitarian organization dedicated to combating poverty, restoring hope, and empowering underserved communities. Through this initiative, she leads programs aimed at social development, economic empowerment, and sustainable agricultural solutions. Ms Kungang Ambotaba’s career spans agricultural research, agribusiness, education, and humanitarian development. She has held key roles in various national and international organizations, contributing significantly to agricultural innovation, livelihood improvement, and social change. She is also an alumna of UNIDEP (United Nations Institute for Economic Development and Planning) and AFRI-RES (Africa Regional Resilience Programme) reflecting her continued commitment to capacity building and policy engagement for sustainable development in Africa.

11.          Oche Thomas Eluma (winner)    

Mr Eluma is an Agripreneur and the Co-founder and Operations Director of Miraks Agric, a growing agribusiness committed to building sustainable value chains in Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and is currently pursuing an MBA with a focus on business management. With over six years of experience in agricultural and supply chain management, Mr Eluma currently leads a solar-powered 3-acre rice farming project, with plans to scale up to 20 acres by December 2025. His vision centers on developing an integrated rice value chain-farming, processing, and distribution-to reduce post-harvest losses, improve food security, and empower smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth. Passionate about innovation, Mr Eluma leverages eco-friendly practices and strategic partnerships to drive impact across communities        

12.          Tumisang L. Dinku

Ms Dinku is pursuing studies in business and holds a Bachelor of Economics in Namibia and Bachelor of Finance with UNICAF. She is Director of Tumied Holdings Pty ltd and lives and works in a small village known as Sheepfarm, in Botswana, currently very active in integrated farming. Ms Dinku is a farmer focused on faith and hard work, well known as an entrepreneur with great technical knowledge and successful partnerships. Ms Dinku also took part in the Botswana vulnerability assessment committee (BVAC) activities and, among them, the annual household food security and vulnerability assessment. The exercise involves assessing the situation in order to determine changes in different sectors such as crop production, livestock, health (malnutrition), the effects of climate change on the above-mentioned, and to ascertain the level of implementation of the approved drought mitigation measures. She also remains a valuable member of the GFA farmers’ business network and portrays a wonderful team player, optimistic, engaging and fosters many positive relationships.