The WFP Innovation Hub for Eastern Africa is the first regional hub of its kind to be launched by WFP. As an extension of WFP's Innovation Accelerator, it aims to localize its offering to the region and to harness synergies between the private sector and WFP operations.

We seek to identify, pilot and scale innovations for zero hunger in Eastern Africa. WFP brings its deep-field access, network of cooperating partners, and strong expertise in humanitarian assistance, livelihood and food systems. With this, we are available to partner in Eastern Africa with other UN agencies, NGOs, start-ups and private sector companies to accelerate forward-looking innovative projects to disrupt hunger.

We welcome innovation across all relevant aspects of WFP’s work, dedicating a focused interest on core thematic areas: Agritech, Food Systems, Food Value Chains, Nutrition, Social Protection, Energy, and Smallholder Farmer Support.

 

Submit your innovation project

Please submit your relevant startup idea / venture. This is a continuous call and we will reach out to you when an opportunity to work together arises.

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A Few Innovation Programmes and Projects
Please contact us for more information about our projects in Eastern Africa

Innovation Bootcamp with the WFP Innovation Accelerator

From the more than 200 applications that WFP receives in the region, we selected 6 local innovations to attend the bootcamp and pitch event taking place beginning of December in partnership with the WFP Innovation Accelerator and BHA. During this week-long programme, selected entrepreneur will work with global experts to (among others) refine their growth strategies, value proposition as well as operating and business model. Those innovation will also be eligible for US $100,000 in funding, mentorship and access to a global network of industry leaders through the WFP innovation sprint programme after the bootcamp.

Supporting the next generation of local entrepreneurs with Hult Prize

The Hult Prize is an annual, year-long competition that crowd-sources ideas from students and awards US $1 million in seed funding to the global winner with a focus on food for good. In supporting more than 1,000 students in Eastern Africa to ideate, develop their concept, prototype and compete, we aim to to contribute to local capacity building, inspire, empower and develop future generations of local entrepreneurs.  

e-Shop – WFP Somalia innovating at scale

Leveraging Somalia's affordable mobile network, WFP Somalia developed the e-Shop: an online food ordering and delivery system available on Android, iOS and USSD. Food insecure families can redeem WFP cash assistance from authorized retailers who connect with delivery services to bring the food to their homes. WFP Somalia designed, implemented and scaled up e-Shop to promote price transparency and competition; make nutritious food more accessible and affordable; reduce exposure to COVID-19 with physical distance; and stimulate the market for local food suppliers, retailers and delivery agents. There are 98,000 e-Shop customers and 1,200 retailers registered on the platform. Transactions worth US $7.25 million have gone through e-Shop since its launch, and 68,000 home deliveries have been made since the feature was added.

South Sudan COVID-19 Fast Track

This programme developed together by the South Sudan WFP Country Office and the WFP Innovation Accelerator aimed at finding and fast tracking solutions to help South Sudan better respond to COVID-19. The WFP South Sudan team identified four main target problems and a call for solutions was shared with a selected network of partners. Innovative solutions with a strong proof-of-concept and a team with capacity to implement quickly in South Sudan were considered. Selected teams were invited to participate in a 3-day virtual Fast Track Innovation Bootcamp to rapidly develop implementation plans. Projects were then eligible for funding and/or procurement contracts. This challenge is being implemented with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

FOR PARTNERS

Thank you to our partners who are supporting us on this journey to disrupt hunger.

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
  • Hult Prize
FOR MENTORS

Stay tuned: Sign up to be informed when applications are open and receive updates about our achievements and upcoming activities and events.

The WFP Innovation Hub for Eastern Africa is focusing on four main pillars:

  1. support WFP offices to test new innovations;
  2. stimulate the local external innovation ecosystem;
  3. facilitate best practices and knowledge sharing; and
  4. support partnership development with the external ecosystem.

The hub is also developing an innovation platform to connect WFP’s global network of designers, experts, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, foundations and private-sector organizations to ultimately source and develop ideas to disrupt hunger. The hub is aiming to equip local entrepreneurs with the skills to drive innovation and develop solutions to address hunger and gender inequalities.

To build a better world of tomorrow, we need to develop meaningful and long-lasting partnerships. Please reach out if you would like to work together!