MWE Correspondent
Tanzanian entrepreneur Diana Orembe, founder of NovFeed Tanzania, has emerged as the 2025 champion of the prestigious Africa’s Business Heroes competition, taking home a $300,000 cash prize for her innovative solution that converts food waste into sustainable fish feed.
Her work impressed judges for its potential to transform Africa’s aquaculture industry while addressing pressing environmental and food system challenges.
Orembe’s science-led approach demonstrates how food waste can be repurposed into a cost-effective, scalable alternative for fish farmers, offering both economic and environmental benefits. The judges highlighted the practicality, social impact, and commercial viability of her enterprise as key reasons for awarding her the top prize.
She competed against strong finalists from across the continent, including Abraham Mbuthia of Kenya and Adriaan Kruger from South Africa, both recognized for their innovative contributions to African business and technology. Orembe’s win reinforces the growing prominence of African entrepreneurship in generating solutions that combine profitability with social and environmental responsibility.
Another Tanzanian entrepreneur, Baraka Jeremiah, founder of Kilimo Fresh, also made it into the top 10 finalists, securing a $100,000 award. His venture connects smallholder farmers directly with reliable buyers, reducing post-harvest losses and improving access to fresh produce. Both Orembe and Jeremiah’s innovations highlight the role of entrepreneurial solutions in improving supply chain efficiency and supporting sustainable agriculture.
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Organisers of the Africa’s Business Heroes programme noted that reaching the final stage is a significant achievement, placing participants among the continent’s leading innovators. The programme aims to support businesses that are not only commercially viable but also have measurable social, economic, and environmental impact.
Experts say Orembe’s success demonstrates the potential for entrepreneurs to tackle climate change by addressing systemic issues such as food waste, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally. Repurposing surplus food into sustainable products offers a model for other African nations seeking to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.
The win has drawn attention both locally and internationally, highlighting Tanzania’s emerging role in the African innovation ecosystem. By leveraging science and technology to solve real-world problems, Orembe exemplifies how African innovators are shaping industries, creating jobs, and promoting sustainable development.
Her achievement reinforces the importance of supporting young innovators who combine creativity with practical solutions, proving that African entrepreneurs can deliver transformative change while contributing to environmental sustainability and economic growth.
