Interested in agech in West Africa? Discover details about business and policy issues young digital agriculture start-ups are facing, their key success drivers and how they are trying to achieve success in this new CTA publication.

The publication is an abridged version of a report that I co-authored with a colleague that CTA published.

It is an interpretative phenomenological research that focuses on youth-led companies offering digital services to the agro-food sector in West Africa. Youth is considered as per the African Union definition: individuals aged between 15 and 35 years old. Our research questions were to understand; the business models adopted by these start-ups; how their business models and business model innovation lead to business success; other key drivers that can support the achievement of success. With this study, we aim to contribute to the limited existing body of knowledge on this nascent but growing business field in West Africa.

Twelve start-ups (anonymised in the report) from seven countries were selected following a non-probability, purposive sampling technique, from finalists and winners of international competitions. We interacted with them via semi-structured interviews. The qualitative data collected were transcribed, categorised and analysed. The start-ups offer services to agro-food customers and the value chain, using tools including mobile phones, drones, e-commerce platforms.

We conclude by proposing recommendations.

Lohento, Ken; Sotannde, Motunrayo. 2019. Business models and key success drivers of agtech start-ups. Wageningen, The Netherlands: CTA

Download the publication here: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/106010