Thandiwe Nyirenda

Pioneered community-driven development in rural Zambia through innovative agricultural solutions.

Thandiwe Nyirenda is a Zambian social entrepreneur who founded the Agriculture for Impact initiative, transforming food security in rural Africa. Born in 1978, she witnessed the challenges of smallholder farmers firsthand growing up. Her organization trains communities in sustainable farming techniques and connects them to global markets. Over 15 years, she has empowered 50,000+ farmers to triple crop yields using climate-smart practices.

Nyirenda's approach combines technology with traditional knowledge, introducing mobile apps for market access and drought-resistant crop varieties. She was recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and featured in BBC's Africa Business Report. Her work ensures agricultural innovation benefits women and youth, creating economic resilience in vulnerable regions.