Jacky Muraba

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has revealed the distinguished winners of the 2025 Fortify Forward Innovation Challenge (FFIC), a pioneering pan-African competition aimed at uncovering scalable, innovative solutions that enhance the nutritional quality of food through fortification and biofortification techniques.

The initiative underscores GAIN’s commitment to combating malnutrition by fostering technological advancements that are both effective and adaptable across diverse African contexts.

Finalists from East and West Africa convened at high-profile finale events in July 2025, held respectively in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Cotonou, Benin.

Over the course of two intensive days, these innovative entrepreneurs showcased their breakthroughs to an engaged audience, interacted with mentors, and participated actively in knowledge-sharing sessions led by experts, policymakers, and influential figures within both the nutrition sector and the broader food value chain.

Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of GAIN, emphasized the transformative potential of food fortification and biofortification, describing these approaches as “game-changing yet underutilised solutions to malnutrition.”

He elaborated, “Through Fortify Forward, we are not only identifying breakthrough African innovations, but also supporting them with the tools necessary to grow, scale, and ultimately save lives.”

Understanding the core of what Fortify Forward supports helps illuminate why these solutions matter. Food fortification involves the addition of vital micronutrients—such as iron, zinc, vitamin A, and iodine—to common staples like flour, cooking oil, and salt, enabling populations to consume these nutrients without needing to alter their habitual diets.

Conversely, biofortification enhances the nutrient content of crops at the seed level, increasing the levels of critical vitamins and minerals in foods such as maize, cassava, and sweet potatoes.

Both fortification methods are scientifically proven, cost-effective strategies to address “hidden hunger”—a form of micronutrient deficiency that compromises immunity, hampers children’s growth, and diminishes productivity—thus representing crucial tools in combating malnutrition.

The journey of FFIC 2025 began early in January 2025 with extensive outreach campaigns across eight African nations: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Benin. Following a rigorous application review process in April and May, finalists were selected in June.

The shortlisted entrepreneurs then participated in virtual training sessions focusing on business development, nutrition, and innovation, preparing them for the pivotal final events in July.

The winners of the challenge received grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 and became part of a comprehensive, long-term support program aimed at nurturing their innovations’ growth and impact.

Beyond financial awards, each laureate benefited from tailored mentorship from seasoned professionals in nutrition, agricultural technology, entrepreneurship, and impact investment. They also gained access to technical assistance aimed at strengthening their fortification processes and scaling their solutions.

The program emphasizes capacity building in key areas such as marketing and business development and offers ongoing support from GAIN and its partners.

Participation also opens doors for increased visibility, allowing winners to promote their solutions through GAIN’s media channels, while facilitating vital networking opportunities with investors, policymakers, and key stakeholders within African food systems. This exposure is designed to amplify their reach and deepen impact.

Despite notable progress, malnutrition remains a pressing challenge across the continent. In East Africa, 23 million people in Kenya suffer from undernutrition, while Ethiopia and Rwanda report stunting rates exceeding 33% among children under five. West Africa faces similar issues, with Nigeria carrying the second-highest global burden of stunted children, and in Benin, more than half of women (58%) suffer from anemia. As Françoise Sayi, GAIN Benin Country Director, highlighted, “Across Benin, nutritious food is still too often unaffordable and inaccessible. The winners of this challenge are showing us a better path—one where technology and local innovation improve diets and lives.”

Adding to this momentum, Prisca Rwezahura, GAIN Tanzania Country Director, noted, “Tanzania has pioneered large-scale food fortification, and it’s inspiring to see new innovators building on that work. We are proud to have championed the Fortify Forward Innovation Challenge and to play a key role in advancing nutrition security across Africa.”

Highlighted below are some of the standout innovator projects from East and West Africa:

East Africa Winners:

• Aston Steven Shayo, Agroasys (Tanzania): Developed a blockchain platform ensuring traceability, fair pricing, and transparency in agriculture.
• Judy Mwende Mutunga, Fortified Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Flours (Kenya): Created fortified flour enriched with iron, zinc, and vitamin A.
• Samuel Uwihanganye, Monti 7 in 1 Composite Flour (Rwanda): Produced multi-ingredient flour supplemented with iron-rich beans to support maternal and child health.
• Mukhammad Ramadhani Costa, MOODY POP – Fortified Porridge (Tanzania): Developed fortified porridge flour containing iron, B12, zinc, and folic acid.
• John Makongoro Masero, Kwanzaa Venture (Tanzania): Focused on fortified porridge made from local grains and micronutrients targeting rural markets.
• Reggie Joseph Okoko, Digital Traceability Platform (Kenya): Created a system to map biofortified foods along the supply chain.
• Nicholas Obudho Simon, TAWIAFYA TRACK (Kenya): Innovated QR code and RFID system to track and certify biofortified crops.
• Odwour Erich Midigo, Udongo Kwa Maisha (Kenya): Fortified sorghum with local nutrient-rich foods and digital tools for farmers.
• Niyibikora Aime, Fortified Instant Porridge (Rwanda): Designed ready-to-eat fortified porridge for school children.
• Charite Abijuru, MamaToto Mix (Rwanda): Created cricket-based fortified porridge aimed at maternal and child nutrition.
• Ezekiel Daniel, Fortified Yogurt (Tanzania): Developed yogurt enriched with vitamin A, zinc, iron, and calcium.

West Africa Winners:

• Uzoma Chidimma, Enhancing Nutrition Through Fortified Yogurts (Nigeria): Produced fortified yogurt employing micro-dosing and consumer education.
• Yetunde Adegbite, CarroNutra (Nigeria): Developed a solar-hybrid system to produce beta-carotene-rich carrot powder for natural fortification.
• Cynthia Adams, Biofortified Vitamin A Maize Products (Nigeria): Created fortified maize flour, cereal, and snacks sourced from women farmers.
• Ini Jimmy, Palmshops (Nigeria): Offered an integrated platform providing traceability, farmer training, and market access for biofortified crops.
• Bide Adegnandjou Ruth Doris, Bisikuiti Fonio (Benin): Developed a nutritious, fortified biscuit made from fonio, enriched with essential micronutrients.
• Noua Gbemisola Christiane, École Doctorale des Sciences Agronomiques et de l’Eau (Benin): Conducted research on integrating orange-fleshed sweet potato into recipes and outreach.
• Theresa Abimbola Awotundun, Biofortified Locust Beans (Nigeria): Fermented African locust beans enhanced with folate using microbial techniques.
• Endurance Awolowo, Distrifoods Nigeria (Nigeria): Utilized microbial phytase to improve mineral absorption in staple foods.
• Victor Enyojo Agi, FortiCart (Nigeria): Created a mobile, solar-powered market cart to fortify foods and educate consumers at rural markets.
• Yehouessi L. Wilfried, Fortified Tomato Purée (Benin): Made vitamin A-fortified tomato purée with protective packaging.
• Alladahouinnon Eddy Géraud Metogbé, Mandagbé (Benin): Fortified leafy vegetables with iodized salt during processing.
• Chinenye Unoka, IoT-Enabled Food Fortification (Nigeria): Developed a solar-powered fortification system monitored via IoT with a digital distribution platform.