Nigerian student pioneers agritech solution to address agricultural challenges in Africa

Cynthia Ezekwe

Smart Israel, a talented Nigerian changemaker and student at the African Leadership University (ALU), has created Smartel Agric-tech, an innovative tool that seeks to revolutionise African agriculture and promote global progress toward meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Data from McKinsey highlights Nigeria’s immense untapped agricultural potential, largely due to prevailing challenges surrounding productivity, infrastructure, and access to financial resources. The country’s agricultural sector, which accounts for a significant 22.3 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and provides employment for around 70 per cent of the nation’s workforce, is yet to realise its full potential, despite the vital role it plays in the country’s economy.

Determined to address these challenges and unlock Nigeria’s full agricultural potential, Smart Israel developed Smartel Agric-tech, an innovative solution utilising advanced hydroponic technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The revolutionary technology is designed to build climate-resilient food systems, providing an efficient, sustainable solution to the issue of food shortages that has long been a problem in Nigeria.

Smartel Agri-tech is breaking new ground in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, bringing forth much-needed change in the areas of food security and economic empowerment. By offering a climate-resilient alternative to traditional agricultural practices, which often depend on unpredictable weather patterns and can lead to land degradation, deforestation, and increased carbon emissions from food transportation, Smartel Agri-tech is providing a greener, more sustainable approach to food production.

Israel highlighted the remarkable advantages of hydroponic systems, which enable farmers to cultivate crops year-round, independent of weather conditions and local geography. This, he explained, means that even in arid regions and densely populated urban areas, where conventional agriculture is impractical, fresh and healthy food can be grown locally, improving food security for smallholder farmers and their communities.

The ALU student explained that Smartel’s container systems leverage hydroponics to grow crops indoors using a nutrient-rich water solution, eliminating the need for traditional soil-based farming. Equipped with advanced smart irrigation and IoT sensors powered by artificial intelligence, these systems effectively monitor and regulate water consumption, resulting in optimal crop growth using only 10% of the water required in conventional farming methods. 

According to Israel, the Smartel solution goes beyond supplying farmers with the hydroponic systems. The company offers a comprehensive training and support program, helping farmers to properly set up and utilize the systems for optimal crop production. Furthermore, Smartel has created an online platform where farmers can connect directly with consumers, facilitating the sale and delivery of fresh, locally-grown produce. To date, the Smartel team has assisted 380 farmers with training and system installation in Nigeria, resulting in 16 tonnes of fresh, locally-produced fruits and vegetables.

Speaking on the innovative solution, the ALU software engineering student  and Smartel founder said, “My time at ALU has taught me that it is our responsibility as the next generation of African leaders to drive socioeconomic development.

“Smartel Agri-tech was born from a vision of a future where everyone has access to food security, unaffected by climate, geographical constraints, or limited resources. Our mission today leverages cutting-edge technology to enable local farmers to grow their crops in ways that are both sustainable and efficient.” 

In light of Smartel Agric-tech’s achievements in Nigeria, Smart Israel underscored the vital role that innovation can play in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed the need for global leaders to invest in cutting-edge solutions like Smartel’s hydroponic systems, which not only offer practical solutions to issues like food security and water scarcity but also represent a critical step toward ending global hunger. 

Also commenting on the innovation, Veda Sunassee, CEO of ALU, said, “Smart represents the true spirit of the African Leadership University: ambitious, creative, and altruistic. We are so proud to see the success of his venture unfold, and to be a part of his entrepreneurial journey. ALU’s impact is best understood through the actions of our students and alumni, and we are committed to instilling in them the right skills and mindset needed to spearhead positive change in the 21st century. 

“The story of Africa’s youth is one of relentless advancement and dynamic promise. It’s not enough for the world to merely recognize this; it must strive to keep pace with it.”

Smartel’s innovative and impactful solutions have earned the company a coveted position in the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Sprint Programme, part of the Agricultural Innovation for Climate Resilience Programme.

As part of this initiative, Smartel will gain access to a wealth of resources and opportunities, including mentorship, networking with global stakeholders, and up to $150,000 in non-dilutive funding from WFP  Innovation Accelerator and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ).