Women-led agribusinesses are trailblazing climate solutions in Africa

Agriculture feeds the world, sustains communities and drives over US$ 4 trillion in annual value –supporting more than two billion livelihoods and global economies. It can do even more when guided by the right purpose, investments and innovation.  

It is therefore our shared responsibility to keep this system that nourishes us all working – and working right. Farmers, especially smallholders and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including women-led agribusinesses, are at the heart of this effort. Supporting them is an investment in our collective future. When we empower farmers and the SMEs that anchor our agri-food value chains, we strengthen not only our economies and communities but also the resilience of the planet itself. 

How women agripreneurs are powering climate action 

At Emerging Ag Inc., we have been working on issues related to climate and agri-food for over 15 years. The passion for regenerative practices, crop diversity, resilient practices, methane reduction, among other priorities, has been a heartbeat of our clients and partners across the agri-food value chain. One of the programmes that we’re most proud of is the SME Accelerator Programme for women-led agribusinesses in Africa, launched in October 2022 together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Agrifood Network (IAFN). 

The Accelerator supports women agripreneurs in addressing the key challenges and constraints they face in their businesses. Each year, a cohort of 50 women operating in the agrifood sector in the Sub-Saharan Africa region is selected to participate in three tailor-made workshops where they are coached on various aspects of running their business. The programme also includes dedicated capacity development and short training sessions. Three cohorts of 155 women in agribusiness have so far taken part, with the fourth cohort just recently launched. 

These women are doing amazing things in delivering practical climate solutions while strengthening the resilience of communities and food systems. Let us tell you about some examples.  

In Mali, Herou Alliance is restoring land and livelihoods 

In Mali, Herou Alliance, led by one of the women agripreneurs, Rokiatou Traoré, is advancing climate action through a sustainable Moringa-plant value chain that restores degraded land, supports reforestation and empowers women farmers. The enterprise has already planted over 2,000 Moringa trees in the Koulikoro region in western Mali, contributing to reforestation and combatting desertification. Herou Alliance also exports a variety of organic Moringa products to more than seven countries, highlighting global demand for nutritious and sustainable solutions. By combining environmental restoration with economic opportunity, Herou Alliance is helping communities adapt to climate change while creating green jobs and sustainable nutrition solutions. 

In Zimbabwe, Sesame for Life is turning drought into opportunity  

In Zimbabwe’s drought-prone regions, Sesame for Life, founded by Josephine Takundwa, promotes climate resilience through the cultivation of sesame – a drought-tolerant crop that thrives under harsh conditions.  

The company works with over 5,000 smallholder farmers, providing them with inputs, training and financial tools to improve productivity while conserving soil and water. By linking farmers to export markets and encouraging climate-smart agriculture, Sesame for Life is transforming drylands into productive, sustainable landscapes, while improving household incomes and resilience. 

In Kenya, Savanna Circuit is reducing food waste through renewable energy 

In Kenya, Savanna Circuit, co-founded by Emmastella Gakuo, is reducing food waste and emissions across East Africa’s agricultural value chains through solar-powered mobile coolers and dehydrators. These technologies enable smallholder farmers in dairy, fish and horticulture to store produce efficiently using renewable energy, preventing post-harvest losses while cutting carbon footprints. 

Investing in the engines of resilient food systems 

Women’s leadership and engagement in small- and medium-sized enterprises sit at the frontline of climate action. Empowering them to do things sustainably through innovation, inclusion and local action is one of the most effective ways to tackle climate challenges while building a more resilient future for all. Investing in them means investing in more resilient and inclusive food systems. 

Yet, despite the transformative power of agriculture and agribusinesses, we know that there are not enough resources getting to the people who will build them up. Many projects are geared to companies that are looking at US$ 5 to US$ 10 million of investment in Africa. This is a sad irony. From our SMEs Accelerator work, we know that much of the growth will come from those smaller agribusinesses working in their agri-food communities and they are hardly looking for investments in millions.  

With as little as US$ 100,000, these women-led businesses are driving a sea change – hiring locally, adding value to raw produce, reinvesting profits into their communities and tackling climate change head-on.  

Digital innovation as a climate enabler 

Technology, too, is helping transform possibilities into progress. Precision tools, AI-based soil insights, digital marketplaces and mobile finance are redefining how farmers produce, trade and earn. These advances are also cutting waste, optimising resources and building resilience across the sector. In this regard, their true power lies in ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive and accessible. When technology reaches the hands of smallholders, women and youth, it morphs from just being innovation into becoming empowerment. Bridging the digital divide through training, connectivity and affordable access ensures that the next wave of agricultural innovation uplifts everyone and unlocks opportunity for all. 

The future of agriculture  is being written now. It is a future where productivity and purpose converge, where farmers are architects of sustainability and where business recognises its greatest return lies in cultivating resilience. If we embrace that vision together, we can make this the opportunity of a lifetime for our planet, our people and the generations yet to come. It’s time to shine a spotlight on this as we look toward 2026, the International Year of the Woman Farmer. 

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2025 is a critical year for the Paris Agreement. Ten years on, we need to rethink how we frame the challenge. And seeing challenges differently is what business and we are all about. 

ICC is committed to securing what businesses need at the upcoming climate negotiations, COP30, in Belém, Brazil. Learn more about our Opportunity of a Lifetime climate campaign and how to get involved. 

*Disclaimer: The content of this article may not reflect the official views of the International Chamber of Commerce. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and other contributors.