The Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) and its partners have announced their readiness to host the second edition of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference scheduled to take place on August 28 and 29.

It is coming off at the auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

The two-day conference will be held on the theme “Empowering Youth Startups and Agri-MSMEs in Africa: Addressing Climate Change, Innovative Financing, Market Efficiency, and Gender Mainstreaming for Sustainable Food Systems”.

It is poised to deliver an impactful experience on collaborative ways of providing inclusive pathways for the participation of young people within the agricultural value chain as start-ups, agri-MSMEs and entrepreneurs.

Promising to bring together diverse players in the agricultural sector, AIA features a robust lineup of speakers from policymakers, industry, academia and start-up ecosystems.

The interactive panel sessions will inspire thought-provoking conversations weaving in and out of sustainable and innovative practices critical for elevating Africa’s agricultural potential with a strong focus on climate resilience, innovative adaptability, and market linkages for promoting sustainable food systems" said Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC.

“The AIA Conference underscores KIC’s commitment to harnessing innovation and collaboration to address the challenges and opportunities in Africa's agricultural sector.

"By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, we aim to inspire actionable solutions and foster a sustainable future for agriculture in Africa,” he added.

Other events happening alongside the AIA Conference include the Deal Room, Exhibition, and a Youth Career Fair.

These events will provide a platform for networking, employment engagements and serve as a bridge for potential investors to connect with young Agri-MSMEs.

Through the Deal Room, several startups and Agri-MSMEs will get the opportunity to pitch their businesses to potential investors to scale up and grow.

The exhibition will also serve as a window into the future of agriculture on the Continent showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions designed to enhance efficiency and sustainability within the sector.

The Career Fair is being organised in collaboration with Jobberman Ghana and in partnership with MasterCard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited to provide employability skills training for young people, as well as link young job seekers to employers within the agriculture and adjacent sectors.

The AIA conference, expected to be attended by over 500 participants, is supported by Kosmos Energy, AGRA, International Trade Centre, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and IDH.