Blessing Okoemo

Nigerian agricultural tech pioneer empowering smallholder farmers through digital innovation

Blessing Okoemo is a Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of AgroCenta, a groundbreaking agricultural technology platform that has revolutionized farming practices across West Africa. Launched in 2021, her company provides smallholder farmers with real-time market prices, weather forecasts, and agronomic advice through SMS and mobile apps. This innovative solution addresses the critical information gap faced by over 70% of Nigeria's 70 million farmers who lack access to modern agricultural information systems.

Okoemo's work has directly impacted over 250,000 farmers, increasing their incomes by an average of 30% through better pricing and crop management. Her platform's AI-driven market analytics system has created new distribution channels connecting farmers directly to buyers, bypassing exploitative middlemen. In 2023, AgroCenta expanded to Ghana and Ivory Coast, establishing a regional network that now covers 12 million acres of farmland.

Recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2022, Okoemo's vision extends beyond technology to gender equality in agriculture. She ensures 40% of platform users are women farmers, addressing systemic gender disparities in African agriculture. Her TED Talk How a mobile platform is transforming African farming has received over 2 million views.

Through partnerships with UN FAO and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Okoemo's innovations are now part of Nigeria's national agricultural digital strategy. Her work demonstrates how technology can democratize access to market information, directly contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger).