This initiative aims to celebrate and promote the most promising startups on the continent seeking to address major economic, societal and environmental challenges. (Image source: Viva Technology)

Viva Technology has announced the 45 finalists for the fourth annual edition of the AfricaTech Awards

The mission of the VivaTech initiative is to highlight and support the most innovative and highest-impact startups on the African continent. The AfricaTech Awards reaffirm their ambition to honor African innovation and entrepreneurship at VivaTech. This initiative aims to celebrate and promote the most promising startups on the continent seeking to address major economic, societal and environmental challenges.

This year again, the prize focused on young companies with high potential in three key sectors: GreenTech; HealthTech; and E-commerce & FinTech. VivaTech and its Knowledge Partner, Deloitte, selected the finalists out of 492 applicants for this 2025 edition. Nigeria confirmed its dynamism with the highest representation among the 56 African countries in the running. Of the 45 finalist startups, half were founded or co-founded by women. 

"I am proud that this year's AfricaTech Awards has once again attracted so many high-quality entries from across the African continent," said François Bitouzet, managing director of Viva Technology. “This reinforces our approach at VivaTech: to bring together the many voices of tech. And, of course, we are delighted once again to showcase the unique place of Africa in the international atlas of innovation.”

The winners will be announced at the VivaTech Global Awards Ceremony taking place on 12 June 2025, with Édouard Mendy as patron of the AfricaTech Awards for the second year in a row. 

The workshop was attended by vegetable and fruit development experts. (Image source: Ministry of Information, Eritrea)

On 3 April, a workshop was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture on seed potato certification protocol validation in Asmara, Eritrea

The workshop was attended by vegetable and fruit development experts from the Ministry of Agriculture’s central office, regional branches, as well as from Hamelmalo College of Agriculture. Tekleab Misgina, Director General of Regulatory Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that the workshop is part of the initiatives undertaken by the national committee established in 2014 to distribute improved potato seed.

He also noted that it would provide significant input in refining the regulatory draft to ensure the quality of potato seed distributed to farmers. According to the draft regulation, farmers are advised to not plant potato seed varieties that are unofficial and unverified and only use those that are endorsed by agricultural research organisations. During the workshop, participants presented and adopted various recommendations. 

The Rising Stars initiative aims to cultivate collaboration, and drive positive change within the agricultural sector. (Image source: ))

Recognising their crucial role, the African Agri Council is proud to announce its 40 Under 40 Rising Stars initiative, a programme dedicated to celebrating the exceptional contributions of these young leaders who are shaping the future of agriculture across the continent

Coming at a time when the contributions of young Africans to the agricultural value chain are more important than ever, this initiative highlights the critical role of youth in driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within the agricultural sector. Youth engagement is vital for ensuring food security and creating sustainable livelihoods. By empowering young people in agriculture, we can unlock their potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and build resilient food systems.

The Rising Stars initiative aims to cultivate collaboration, and drive positive change within the agricultural sector. By showcasing these individuals, the programme seeks to elevate the visibility of innovative practices and encourages investment and support for the next generation of agricultural leaders. Outstanding trailblazers, rainmakers, and innovators will be celebrated during the Market Access Africa conference in Durban, at the prestigious Gala Dinner scheduled to be held on 3 June 2025.

The following are the criteria for the 40 Under 40 Rising Stars initiative:

• Innovation: Highlighting breakthroughs in agricultural technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, funding, and transformative business models.
• Leadership: Demonstrating commitment to food security, sustainability, and equitable market access through exemplary leadership.
• Impact: Showcasing measurable contributions to productivity, job creation, environmental stewardship, and social empowerment.
• Advocacy: Influencing policies supporting farmers, food security, sustainability, and job creation through active advocacy.
• Education & Mentorship: Fostering agricultural leadership through mentorship, skill development, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Sustainability: Committing to environmentally friendly practices that enhance biodiversity and long-term agricultural productivity.
• Research & Development: Advancing agricultural science with innovative research improving yields and farming techniques.
• Media / Communications / PR: Shaping agricultural narratives through impactful journalism, PR, and advocacy-driven storytelling.

Attendees at the show will get the opportunity to discover how Berry’s expertise in both flexible and rigid plastics enables the development of packaging. (Image source: Berry Global)

Berry Global will be showcasing its latest circular packaging innovations for the food industry at this year’s Foodex exhibition scheduled to take place from 7-9 April at NEC Birmingham

The display will focus on circularity-driven solutions - such as the use of mono-materials for improved recyclability, and recycled content in non-contact sensitive applications such as collation shrink films and stretch wrap for pallet protection - while maintaining essential packaging roles like product protection, preservation, and consumer convenience.

Attendees at the show will get the opportunity to discover how Berry’s expertise in both flexible and rigid plastics enables the development of packaging that supports brand positioning, enhances functionality and meets the evolving requirements of food producers and retailers.

Flexible packaging highlights will include:

- Omni Xtra + Cling Film: A recyclable polyethylene alternative to PVC cling film, delivering high clarity, anti-fog properties, and strong shelf presence.

- Entour Mono-Material Lamination Films: Designed for bags, pouches, and flow wraps, these films offer a recyclable* alternative to hard-to-recycle multi-material structures.

- Mono-Material Pouches: Berry’s mono-material pouches offer a recyclable* solution for dry food applications such as snacks and pet foods, delivering excellent barrier properties, durability, and high-quality print surfaces to support strong branding and shelf impact.

- Films for Frozen Foods and Snacks: Designed for versatility and durability, Berry’s range of single wound sheet (SWS) films provide robust protection for many types of products including frozen food and snacks. Made from recyclable mono-material polyethylene, they can supportsustainability goals without compromising performance.

- Secondary &Tertiary Packaging: Containing high-quality post-consumer recycled content, Berry’s Collation Shrink Film and Bontite Sustane 30% PCR Stretch Film are helping customers meet their targets to include more recycled materials while maintaining packaging integrity.

On the other hand, rigid packaging innovations range from squeezable bottles to high-capacity jars that are designed to meet the practical demands of both consumer-facing brands and busy foodservice environments. Two notable products include their Euro Squeeze and Orion bottles that offer easy, mess-free dispensing for sauces, dressings and condiments, with compatibility across multiple closures and fill types. Two other examples include Sapphire and Bear jars that provide durable, stackable solutions for larger volume applications.

With a focus on functionality, storage efficiency, and labelling flexibility, all formats are also designed for recycling – supporting customers’ sustainability goals without compromising performance or usability.