How two high school sweethearts built an AI company for farmers

Joseph Simukoko and Mwiche Mukoma, high school sweethearts, have crafted an innovative AI company aimed at empowering smallholder farmers in Zambia. Their journey began at university, where they met and their paths intertwined over decades. Beginning their careers in banking and agricultural development, they co-founded Green Giraffe in 2022.

The company utilizes AI and satellite technology to assist farmers in accessing premium markets, a necessity born out of a collapsed export deal that forced them to develop the necessary technology themselves.

Reflecting on their past, Mukoma, a former banker, now finds her work with Green Giraffe deeply fulfilling, stating that the company's impact is far more meaningful than her banking days. Simukoko, an agricultural expert, remains committed to creating markets for smallholder farmers, driven by his enduring obsession since 2010.

Their early years were marked by a shared determination to challenge unjust systems and a curiosity that led them to question the status quo. Mukoma, known as a "troublemaker," grew up questioning systems that made little sense, while Simukoko, always several steps ahead, was frequently asked to teach classes. Both maintain a humble approach, with Simukoko emphasizing his team's collaborative decision-making and Mukoma appreciating Simukoko's humility and ability to listen to diverse perspectives.

The founders discuss the historical roots of Africa's export-oriented economic strategies, tracing their origins to colonial legacies. They argue that the African Continental Free Trade Area offers an opportunity to break away from exporting raw materials and instead focus on creating wealth by trading finished products within the continent. Their belief is that entrepreneurship, rather than long-term development aid, holds a more sustainable path to Africa's economic growth.