SAYeTECH is a Ghanaian agric-tech startup focused on designing hardware and Internet of Things (IoT) systems for smallholder farmers. In a keenly contested competition, it emerged winner of the 2024 MEST Africa Challenge, going on to securing $50,000 in funding to scale operations and further enhance productivity in African agriculture.
About the MEST Africa Challenge
The MEST Africa Challenge is a prestigious competition organized by the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy.
Now in its sixth year, the event attracts innovative startups from across West Africa, including countries like Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.
Meet the Founders of SAYeTECH
Jeffrey Boakye Appiagyei and Theodore Ohene-Botchway, both alumni of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), co-founded SAYeTECH in 2018.
Theodore Ohene-Botchway:
Formerly a teaching assistant in KNUST’s Mechanical Engineering Department, Theodore is an experienced Chief Technology Officer with expertise in industrial engineering, AutoCAD, and public speaking
Jeffrey Boakye Appiagyei:
With a master’s degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Jeffrey is an entrepreneur and former co-founder of SATAgri. In 2022, he participated in the Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Initiative.
What is the mission of SAYeTECH
SAYeTECH specializes in building agricultural machinery tailored for African farming conditions. Their creations include:
- A cocoa pod-breaking machine
- A cereal dryer
- A multi-crop thresher
The company’s innovations address critical challenges such as low mechanization rates, high post-harvest losses, and labour-intensive processes.
By offering affordable and user-friendly technology, SAYeTECH aims to boost agricultural productivity and profitability across Africa.
What impact has SAYeTECH made
Since its launch, SAYeTECH has supported over 7,000 farmers and partnered with two USAID Feed the Future Innovation Labs.
Their efforts contribute significantly to food security and sustainable farming in the region.
Awards and Recognition
SAYeTECH has earned several accolades, including:
- Winner of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Innovation Showcase (2019)
- Israeli Green Innovation Competition Winner (2020)
- Startup of the Year by Ghana Startup Awards (2021)
- OpEx Prize (2021)
Funding Milestones
SAYeTECH has raised funds to support its growth:
- $100,000 in a seed round from AgFunder (2024)
- $100,000 in a pre-seed round from Impact Hub Accra (2022)
- Non-equity assistance from MassChallenge Israel
Celebrating their MEST Africa Challenge victory, the team shared their excitement on X (formerly Twitter). “Yesssss! Thank you @MESTAfrica for this great opportunity. We’re more than poised to do more for farmers and food security!”
