The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) is the flagship social investment programme launched by Kosmos Energy in 2016 and seeks to breathe new life into Ghana’s agriculture sector through technology and innovation.

Each year, the Challenge selects young people who are encouraged and trained to spot new business opportunities in the agriculture sector and are tasked with developing new, innovative businesses. To date, the KIC AgriTech Challenge has provided over 400 young Ghanaians with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as entrepreneurs resulting in the creation of 14 youth-led start-up businesses.

According to Kosmos Energy, the 2019 KIC AgriTech Challenge received over 600 applications from young men and women across the country from which number 120 were selected for the programme.

“The rigorous and detailed two-part selection process involved interviews, skill-based assessments, as well as team-building exercises. The new entrants, known as ‘AgriTechies‘, will begin the Challenge with orientation in early January 2019”, a statement the company released on the programme said.

The nine-month programme takes participants through business skills training, as well as coaching and expert mentoring sessions. These are designed to ensure that the participants have the confidence and are given the skills and expertise needed to build the resilient and sustainable businesses that can transform Ghana’s agriculture sector through innovation and technology.

Joe Mensah, Vice President and Country Manager of Kosmos Energy said: “KIC is growing stronger each year. We are proud to continue to help young people that have big ideas and want to grow Ghana’s economy. Our country is full of talent and innovation, and we challenge participants to use their knowledge and skills to think critically to succeed as young entrepreneurs in the AgriTech Challenge.”