Agriculture in Africa is shifting firmly from subsistence to enterprise and Botswana is positioning itself at the center of this transformation.
The Farmers Conference, now in its third edition, has announced the country’s first equity-backed agribusiness pitch competition, offering up to P500,000 (US$38 000) in investment capital for entrepreneurs with scalable ideas. Backed by Angel Network Botswana, the initiative will see five shortlisted agribusinesses pitch live on October 5 in Gaborone.
The contest will be recorded and produced as a YouTube mini-series, giving Botswana’s rising agri-entrepreneurs a platform that extends far beyond the conference walls. Organisers expect more than 100,000 online views, amplifying both the entrepreneurs and the investors willing to back them.
Farming as Business, Not Survival
The conference’s theme, Agriculture as a Business, underscores a growing mindset shift across the region.
“Farming is not survival, it is enterprise. It is power. It is the future,” says Mpho Mutaurirwa, entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 delegate.
Over the past two editions, the Farmers Conference has convened farmers, investors, policymakers and youth from Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia. Deals have been struck, partnerships formed and farmers equipped with tools to view agriculture as an investment class in its own right.
This year’s equity competition raises the stakes. By offering capital, visibility and mentorship, organisers aim to prove that Botswana can nurture agribusinesses capable of scaling regionally and globally.
The conference is inviting sponsors, exhibitors and speakers who want to align their brands with agricultural transformation.
“We are now inviting a sponsor to partner on this groundbreaking Pitch Competition. This is your chance to: Gain premium visibility in a highly anticipated competition, align your brand with agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship, and be part of Botswana’s journey in transforming agriculture into a business,” Mutaurirwa said.
From Gaborone to the World
Africa’s agribusiness sector is projected to be worth $1 trillion by 2030, according to the African Development Bank. For Botswana, creating platforms like this not only supports entrepreneurs but positions the country as a serious player in the continent’s agricultural renaissance.
The October event will not just be a conference. It will be a stage for investment, storytelling and transformation where farming is reframed as the business of the future.
