Cities don’t have to mean limited access to fresh food. These entrepreneurs are bringing farms into urban spaces, through rooftops, vertical systems, hydroponics, and innovative circular solutions.
They’re making fresh, healthy food more accessible while creating jobs and training the next generation of urban farmers.
Here are the top 5 African entrepreneurs reshaping urban farming, based on verified impact, innovation, leadership, and active projects as of Q3 2025:
— Samson Ogbole (Nigeria): Founder of Soilless Farm Lab, Ogbole uses aeroponic and vertical farming to grow leafy greens and herbs in controlled environments. His tech-driven farm improves urban food security and trains youth in advanced agricultural techniques.
— Dr. Peter Chege (Kenya): CEO and founder of Hydroponics Africa, Chege designs low-cost hydroponic systems for urban and peri-urban farmers. His work enables vegetable production with up to 80% less water, supporting sustainable city farming across East Africa.
— Ifeoluwa “Ife” Olatayo (Nigeria): Founder and CEO of Soupah Kitchen, Olatayo runs rooftop hydroponic farms in Ibadan. She grows leafy greens efficiently, making fresh produce affordable and accessible in dense urban areas while promoting water-smart farming.
— Joseph Nguthiru (Kenya): Founder of HyaPak, Nguthiru converts invasive water hyacinth into biodegradable materials while supporting urban farming ecosystems. His circular-economy approach helps clean waterways and provides sustainable inputs for urban agriculture.
— Chibuzor Okeke (Nigeria): Co-founder of FarmBox Nigeria, Okeke delivers modular urban farms that integrate hydroponics and vertical systems into city spaces. His solutions empower communities to grow vegetables locally, improving access and nutrition.
These entrepreneurs are proving that urban spaces can produce fresh, healthy food, create economic opportunities, and develop sustainable city farming solutions, all at the same time.
Image Credit: Agritecture
