Zambia's young builders deserve a stage.
Across Zambia, young people are already changing how food is grown, processed and sold. Some are farmers raising yields with tested seed and soil data. Some are graduates who turned a processing idea into jobs for their neighbours. Some are researchers carrying a lab result all the way to a product farmers can buy. Most of this work happens quietly, far from the people who fund, buy and set policy.
The RUFORUM Young Innovators Awards: Zambia 2026 exist to bring that work into the open. From 30 November to 4 December 2026, Lusaka hosts the 22nd RUFORUM Annual General Meeting, bringing together leaders of Africa's agricultural universities with ministers, development partners, investors and industry. The award winners will be recognised in that room.
Why it matters. Recognition at this level gives the next student, the next young farmer and the next researcher a role model they can point to: someone from their own province who did it here. It puts proven Zambian enterprises and innovations in front of buyers, financiers and partners who are looking for them. And it shows the continent that Zambia is a place where young people turn agricultural science into enterprise.
Who we are looking for. Young Zambians whose results can be seen and checked, on the farm, in the market, in the lab or in the lives of the people they serve. Applications are reviewed by a panel against published criteria, and shortlisted applicants are verified before winners are named.
Age limit: 35 years or younger on the closing date.
For young Zambians who own, co-own or manage a farm or agribusiness that has operated in Zambia for at least 12 months, and who use science, technology and good business practice to grow it. You hold a diploma, degree or TEVETA-certified TVET qualification.
You choose a sub-category:
1A Young Science-Led Farmer: you produce crops, livestock, fish, honey or trees and can show how improved seed, breeds, soil testing, irrigation, digital tools or climate-smart practices have raised your output.
1B Young Agribusiness Leader: you process, aggregate, trade, supply inputs, provide mechanisation or run an agri-tech or service business that links farmers to markets.
This is the right award if your strongest evidence is a working enterprise: yields, sales, jobs and the people you buy from or sell to.
Age limit: 40 years or younger on the closing date (extended for documented career breaks such as maternity or illness).
For researchers with a PhD awarded in the last 10 years who are building a research career in Zambia, leading teams and producing work that reaches farmers, policy or industry. You need endorsement from your university or research institute.
You choose a stream: A1 Applied sciences, A2 Natural sciences, A3 Interdisciplinary, A4 Social sciences.
This is the right award if your strongest evidence is your research record: publications, grants, students supervised, teams led and the difference your research has made.
Age limit: 40 years or younger on the closing date.
For scientists with a master's or PhD who are turning research into a product, service or venture. Your innovation has at least been validated in a relevant setting (Technology Readiness Level 5 or higher) and you have the right to commercialise it.
You choose a sub-category: B1 Scientific entrepreneur, B2 Bio-entrepreneur, B3 Technopreneur, B4 Academic entrepreneur.
And a track: Track I Proof-of-Market, for a tested prototype that is not yet selling at scale. Track II Growth, for a finished product with approvals and paying customers.
This is the right award if your strongest evidence is an innovation on its way to market: trials, customers, pilots and a plan to scale.
Run a farm or agribusiness and are 35 or younger: Award 1.
Hold a PhD and want recognition for research leadership: Award 2A.
Have a master's or PhD and are taking a research-based innovation to market: Award 2B.
If you are a scientist who also runs a farm, apply where your strongest evidence lies.
Apply for one award only. Read the three descriptions above and pick the one that matches what you do today. Age is your age on the closing date.