Ethiopian Agri-Startup Guaro Farms Advances as Finalist in GoGettaz 2025 Competition

Guaro Farms, an Ethiopian agribusiness, has been named one of the Top 13 finalists in the 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition.  

The annual contest aims to identify and elevate Africa’s most promising young agripreneurs, awarding a total of US$160,000 to impact-driven businesses transforming the continent’s agrifood sector.

Co-founded by Kidist Amedie, an architect, and chemical engineer Hana Harego, Guaro Farms was recognized for its innovative approach to preserving the quality and origin of Ethiopian spices. The company designs, builds, and manages decentralized nano-factories housed in 20-foot shipping containers located at the farm gate. These facilities process spices and herbs into essential oils close to the source, maintaining potency, ensuring traceability, and reducing post-harvest losses. By eliminating long transport distances, the model cuts logistical costs by up to 95% and significantly lowers CO₂ emissions.

The nano-factories are situated within walking distance of approximately 500 farmers, aiming to improve market access, provide stable income opportunities, and strengthen connections between producers and buyers. Guaro Farms’ operations extend across several sectors, including agri-food, personal care, waste management, and pharmaceuticals.

In February 2025, Guaro Farms was also among the winners at the Great Rift Valley Summit, receiving a US$40,000 award. 

“After months of intense competition, innovative pitches, and powerful storytelling, the 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition has reached a thrilling milestone. We are proud to announce the Top 13 finalists’ exceptional young entrepreneurs who are transforming Africa’s food systems from the ground up.” the GoGettaz website announced.

The finalists, including Guaro Farms, will present their ventures live at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, from August 31 to September 5.