Determined to modernize agriculture, he is leveraging technology to tackle Africa’s food challenges with practical, scalable solutions.
Baraka Chijenga (photo), a Tanzanian entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Kilimo Fresh, a Dar es Salaam-based startup that is using technology and data analytics to transform agricultural supply chains. Since its launch in 2019, the company has been connecting hundreds of smallholder farmers with thousands of retailers, hotels, and restaurants—aiming to streamline distribution and drastically reduce food waste.
At the heart of Kilimo Fresh’s model is an intuitive online platform that allows buyers to order fresh produce and dry goods, which are then delivered directly to their doorstep. The company relies on predictive analytics to anticipate demand, optimize inventory, and minimize losses. It also supports farmers in adopting sustainable practices and integrating modern agricultural technologies.
On Thursday, June 5, Kilimo Fresh was named a finalist in the AYuTe NextGen competition, an initiative led by Heifer International Africa that highlights tech-driven ventures tackling the agricultural sector’s most pressing challenges.
Before launching Kilimo Fresh, Chijenga co-founded Eliminex Tanzania Limited, a company focused on organic fruit and vegetable production, free from synthetic inputs and agrochemicals. Founded in 2014, Eliminex laid the groundwork for his mission to promote sustainable agriculture.
A 2015 graduate of Mzumbe University in Tanzania, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial development, Chijenga began his career as a finance officer at Pyramid Pharma, a healthcare solutions provider. From 2017 to 2019, he expanded his horizons in West Africa, helping Pacific Diagnostics scale its operations in Nigeria and Ghana.
In 2021, he gained continental recognition as a finalist in the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition, which spotlights the most promising young agri-entrepreneurs across Africa.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
