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ABOUT THE DATA FOR SOIL HEALTH AND INNOVATION CHALLENGES 2025

Are you a soil health data enthusiast and innovator with a solution for Africa?

You have an opportunity to participate in the Data for Soil Health Challenge and/or Innovation Challenge ¨C 2025 to showcase your data-driven solutions for better soil health, gain mentorship, achieve global recognition, and join a network of changemakers driving sustainable agriculture.

Application deadline: April 10, 2025. Apply Now!

Challenge timeline:

• March 14, 2025 ¨C Call for applications & mentors
• April 18, 2025 - application deadline
• April 23, 2025, shortlisting & team selection
• April 25 - May 23, 2025 - development sprint (data access and mentorship)
• June 5¨C6, 2025 ¨C In-person pitch event in Nairobi, Kenya
• June 2025 onwards ¨C incubation & acceleration

OVERVIEW OF THE CHALLENGES

The Data and Soil Innovation Challenges tackle soil health threats by uniting innovators, researchers, and policymakers to co-create digital and non-digital solutions using AI, machine learning, and big data, enhancing agricultural productivity through cross-sector collaboration and improved data access.

Both the Data Challenge and the Innovation Challenge focuses on soil Health, envisioning a future where technology and data science drive sustainable agricultural growth by:

1. Providing scalable solutions for soil management.
2. Equipping farmers with data-driven insights for better yields.
3. Supporting evidence-based policymaking using real-time data.
4. Fostering partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and the private sector.

Thematic areas for data for soil health challenge

Thematic areas for innovation in soil health challenge

RESOURCES: Data for Soil Health and Innovation

WHO CAN APPLY?

• AgTech startups ¨C digital solutions for soil health.
• Agricultural practitioners ¨C tools for improved soil management.
• Researchers and academics ¨C contributions in AI, soil science, and agriculture.
• Government agencies and policymakers ¨C supporting sustainable agriculture policies.
• Investors and donors ¨C funding innovative agricultural solutions.
• Data providers and analysts ¨C supplying critical datasets.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply for either the Data for Soil Health Challenge and/or the Innovation Challenge, or both by completing the application forms below:

Apply here:

WHAT¡¯S IN IT FOR YOU?  

If successfully shortlisted, you will:

• Gain access to expert mentorship and industry networks.
• Work with real-world datasets to develop AI-driven and data-powered solutions.
• Receive incubation and acceleration support to scale your innovation.
• Showcase your solution at a high-profile pitch event in Nairobi attended by investors, policymakers, and global partners.
• For the Innovation Challenge, select winner(s) will receive the Thryve Award, and will be accepted into the Thryve Accelerator Program.

PARTNERS

These challenges are supported by the World Bank in partnership with several local and international agricultural institutions.