In a press release, the Bank announced that “the Bank, in collaboration with Private Equity Support, the implementation leader, and the partner organizations Eldohub and the Private Finance Advisory Network, announced the 25 finalists of the competition which will receive $140,000 in prizes in the form of donations and business skills training.”

Among the 25 finalists are 17 small and medium-sized businesses owned or run by women, according to the Abidjan-based institution. 12 of them are from English-speaking countries, and 13 are from French-speaking countries. In reality, the AgriPitch competition is aimed at young Africans aged 18 to 35 who work in the agricultural value chain.