Transforming Agriculture with Data

Joseph Simukoko and Mwiche Mukoma, two Zambian entrepreneurs who met in high school, are using artificial intelligence and satellite technology to connect smallholder farmers to premium markets. Their company, Green Giraffe, addresses a critical challenge facing African agriculture: the inability of many farmers to meet international compliance standards for exports.

The journey began when an export deal fell through due to paperwork issues—a setback that inspired them to create their own solution. Today, Green Giraffe helps farmers optimize production, track sustainability metrics, and navigate complex regulatory requirements, enabling access to higher-value markets.

“What we’ve built feels far more meaningful,” says Mukoma, reflecting on her experience in traditional finance before co-founding the company. “I can look at myself in the mirror and say we built something that genuinely matters.” Simukoko adds, “We’re not just creating markets; we’re building resilience for farmers who have been systematically excluded from global supply chains.”

From Classroom to Boardroom

The couple’s complementary skills—Mukoma’s financial acumen and Simukoko’s agricultural expertise—form the foundation of their success. They share a deep conviction that technology can address systemic challenges in African agriculture, creating both economic opportunity and food security.

“We saw firsthand how simple documentation issues could derail entire harvests,” explains Mukoma. “That frustration fueled our determination to build a solution that would level the playing field for smallholder farmers.”

Simukoko recalls their early conversations about why African countries struggle to trade with each other, often finding it easier to export raw materials to Europe than to neighboring nations. This observation shaped their mission to create more integrated and equitable food systems across the continent.