Food security entrepreneur Odwour Midigo wins 2026 Äänit Prize

Odwour Midigo | image supplied

Midigo receives $96,000 (about R1.5m) to expand the Ndaloh Heritage Organisation’s community-driven approach to food security and reach more farmers and communities.

The venture works in western Kenya, combining school nutrition programmes, fortified food and maternal and child health initiatives, with a focus on improving nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Ndaloh Heritage Organisation also supports smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, through agricultural training, digital advisory services and access to markets.

Its regenerative and climate-smart farming practices are aimed at improving productivity and household incomes while restoring soil health.

From local farming to wider impact

Midigo said the prize funding would allow Ndaloh Heritage Organisation to reach more beneficiaries, develop new partnerships and explore how its community-driven model could be adapted and scaled elsewhere.

“Winning the Äänit Prize is both inspiring and humbling,” said Midigo. “This award is not only a celebration of what we have achieved so far but also an opportunity to deepen our impact.”

Now in its sixth year, the annual Äänit Prize is open to Mandela Rhodes and Rhodes Scholars. It provides up to $100,000 in funding for entrepreneurial ventures addressing challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for Africa.

The prize focuses on African-led ventures that use local knowledge to develop practical solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.

Four ventures shortlisted

Midigo was one of four finalists selected following a shortlisting process, interviews and presentations. The ventures were assessed on innovation, leadership, social impact, sustainability, scalability and potential for replication.

The other finalists included Zambia’s David Chapoloko, whose AgreeNect Technologies provides agricultural information to smallholder farmers through SMS and USSD; and Nigeria’s Emmanuel Valentine, whose Farm4Us works with farmers through demonstration farms, agricultural support and market access.

Zimbabwean entrepreneur Nyasha Mashanda was also shortlisted for VhenekAI, an offline AI learning platform designed to provide personalised educational support in areas affected by limited access to teachers, resources and reliable internet connectivity.

The three finalists each receive $1,000, with Valentine receiving an additional $1,000 after winning the Audience Choice award.

For The Mandela Rhodes Foundation, the range of ventures reflects the prize’s focus on locally developed responses to challenges across the continent.

“Äänit means ‘common work’ or ‘joint effort’ in Koalib, a minority language spoken in Sudan,” said Judy Sikuza, CEO of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

“These young leaders are not waiting for someone else to solve Africa’s problems. They are using their skills, personal experience and understanding of their communities to build solutions themselves.”