Pitch Event for African Food Startups
A hybrid Green Futures Pitch Day has been organised on 23rd October 2025 in collaboration with Stellenbosch University and the University of Zambia. Participants – students and entrepreneurs returning from the two previous workshops or joining for the first time – were invited to showcase their sustainable food innovations to a panel of five judges from South Africa, Zambia and Germany.
The entrepreneurs and innovators joining the pitch event included:
Meltwell (South Africa), who presented a cheddar alternative made from coconut milk as a sustainable alternative to existing products;
The Chefs Collection (South Africa), showcasing freeze-dried herbs, spices and vegetable powders that retain aroma, flavour and quality while supporting local farmers;
Kopano (South Africa), an initiative that connects produce sourced from small-scale African farmers with consumers through a dedicated platform, which also aims to fund a youth outreach programme;
Safeguard technologies (South Africa), showing their surveillance system for farmers, processing units and food logistics;
Namwai Chillies (Zambia), a socially sustainable company that boosts community welfare by producing spicy products with no artificial fillers;
Kabalanka (Zambia), that presented a low-calorie, non-alcoholic beverage powered by organic adaptogens and nootropics;
Sydeph Foods Enterprise (Zambia), that produces a traditional, mildly fermented, maize-based beverage that is popular in the country;
Zokoma (Zambia), who showcased an affordable power blend made from moringa, sorghum, groundnut and soybean.
The event aimed to celebrate creativity, collaboration and sustainable food innovation in Southern Africa. The winning companies, Meltwell for South Africa and Namwai Chillies for Zambia, received a prize of around 1,000 USD (each) for the development of their food business.
The event took place in the frame of the Green Futures project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). The initiative aims to strengthen the knowledge of students, farmers and marginalised groups in southern Africa through capacity building and practical activities focused on the agricultural sector.
