Champions of Change: Seven Ethiopian Ventures Showcase Innovative Solutions to Strengthen Food Systems and Resilience in Ethiopia

In the drought-prone landscapes of the Somali Region and the recovering agricultural communities of Tigray, a new generation of entrepreneurs is proving that some of Ethiopia's most promising solutions to food insecurity, climate change and livelihood challenges are already taking shape at the local level.

From climate-resilient cactus production and livestock enterprises to poultry farms, dairy businesses and seedling producers, seven agrifood ventures took center stage at the IGNITE Food Systems Innovation Challenge Ethiopia 2.0 Demo Day, showcasing innovative solutions designed to strengthen food systems, create jobs and build resilience for communities across Ethiopia.

The event, organized by Iceaddis in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, brought together government representatives, development partners, investors, entrepreneurs and private sector actors to celebrate the achievements of the programme's second cohort and explore opportunities to scale locally led innovations.

The seven selected ventures, drawn from the Somali and Tigray regions, represent entrepreneurs tackling challenges across the food system with practical and scalable solutions. Together, the ventures illustrate how local entrepreneurs are addressing critical challenges across Ethiopia's food systems, including agricultural productivity, value addition, climate resilience, nutrition and market access.

Speaking during the event, Markos Lemma, Co-Founder and CEO of Iceaddis, emphasized the role of entrepreneurship in advancing sustainable development.

"At Iceaddis, we believe local entrepreneurs are key drivers of sustainable development and economic transformation," he said. "Through the IGNITE Food Systems Innovation Challenge, we are supporting bold and innovative solutions that address food security challenges, strengthen climate resilience, and create opportunities for communities. The ventures showcased today demonstrate the immense potential of Ethiopian entrepreneurs to build stronger and more sustainable food systems for the future."

Launched in June 2025, the second round of the IGNITE Challenge targeted SMEs, cooperatives and entrepreneurs in the Somali and Tigray regions. The programme attracted 164 applications, representing a 45 percent increase over the first round and highlighting growing demand for support among innovators working to solve food systems challenges.

Selected enterprises received equity-free catalytic grants, tailored technical assistance, mentorship, business development support and market linkages designed to help them strengthen and expand their businesses.

For WFP, the initiative forms part of a broader effort to support food systems transformation through locally driven innovation.

"Innovation is critical to achieving sustainable food security and building resilient food systems," said Zlatan Milišić, WFP Country Director and Representative in Ethiopia. "Our vision in Ethiopia is to support locally driven solutions that empower communities, unlock economic opportunities, and strengthen resilience in the face of climate and food security challenges. Through our partnership with Iceaddis, we are supporting entrepreneurs to turn bold ideas into scalable solutions that can help shape a more food-secure, prosperous, and climate-resilient Ethiopia."

The programme is implemented through WFP's IGNITE Innovation Hub for Eastern and Southern Africa, which supports entrepreneurs and enterprises developing scalable solutions that contribute to stronger food systems and resilient livelihoods.

Building on the success of the first IGNITE Challenge in the Amhara and Afar regions, the second round reaffirms the commitment of WFP and Iceaddis to strengthening private sector participation in Ethiopia's food systems transformation agenda.

As entrepreneurs engaged with investors, partners and potential customers throughout the event, Demo Day offered more than a platform to showcase achievements. It provided an opportunity to hear from investors, share experiences and build partnerships that can help transform promising ideas into solutions with impact at scale.

The seven ventures may differ in their sectors and business models, but they share a common ambition: creating stronger livelihoods, improving food security and building resilience where it is needed most. Their innovations serve as a powerful reminder that the future of Ethiopia's food systems will be shaped not only by policies and programmes, but also by the ingenuity, determination and vision of local entrepreneurs working to create lasting change in their communities.