WFP, AfriLabs and partners spotlight South Sudanese MSMEs at IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Demo Day
Date: 2025-12-23
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
United Nations World Food Programme in South Sudan, in partnership with
AfriLabs and Seed Grow Limited, has hosted the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge
2.0 MSME Product Showcase and Demo Day in Juba, highlighting locally driven
agribusiness innovations advancing food security and climate resilience in the
country.
The
event brought together policymakers, financiers, development partners, and
entrepreneurs to showcase the progress of 11 South Sudanese micro, small and
medium-sized enterprises participating in the programme. The MSMEs presented
products and solutions designed to address pressing food systems challenges,
while demonstrating improved market readiness and scalability following months
of structured support.
The IGNITE Food Systems Challenge 2.0 focuses on combining catalytic capital with tailored capacity-building interventions, including targeted mentorship, business development assistance, and access to early-stage financing. According to organisers, participating enterprises recorded measurable business growth and strengthened their ability to respond to local market needs through practical, innovation-led approaches.
The
Demo Day also created a platform for direct engagement between entrepreneurs,
policymakers, and potential investors, facilitating discussions on financing
opportunities, export readiness, and pathways for market expansion. The
programme placed a strong emphasis on inclusion, with women-led enterprises
accounting for 40 percent of the participating MSMEs.
As
the lead implementing partner, AfriLabs leveraged its experience in building
and mobilising innovation ecosystems across Africa, supporting entrepreneurs
through market linkages, access to capital, and engagement with policy actors.
The initiative underscores AfriLabs’ role in translating local innovation into
sustainable economic outcomes, while reinforcing commitments to strengthening
South Sudan’s agribusiness sector and long-term food security.
