In a world grappling with food insecurity, climate change, and youth unemployment, Esther Kimani is sowing seeds of change with technology—and harvesting a new future for African agriculture.
As the CEO and co-founder of a groundbreaking agritech startup in Kenya, Farmer Lifeline Technologies, Esther is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to empower farmers with real-time solutions to some of their most pressing challenges.
From diagnosing crop diseases through smart sensors to delivering early warnings for pest outbreaks and irrigation alerts, her innovation is already changing the game for smallholder farmers across East Africa.
And the world is taking notice.
In 2024, Esther clinched the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation by the Royal Academy of Engineering, becoming only the second woman in the prize’s history to do so.
The recognition wasn’t just a personal win—it was a powerful validation of African women leading cutting-edge innovation in sectors often overlooked by venture capital and media alike.
“I grew up seeing the struggles of small-scale farmers,” Esther said. “Now, I’m using technology to give them power over their harvest, their income, and their futures.”
Esther’s invention—an AI-powered solar device—detects crop diseases and pests 14 times faster than traditional methods and at a fraction of the cost.
By sending alerts directly to farmers’ mobile phones, the device helps them act quickly, reduce losses, and boost yields.
But it’s not just about tech. Esther is a systems thinker. She’s built a business model that is inclusive, accessible, and designed for scale.
Her focus is not only on profit, but on resilience—enabling communities that rely on agriculture to adapt to climate shocks and fluctuating markets.
Her journey is a testament to what happens when local problems are met with local solutions—and visionary leadership.
In a field long dominated by men, Esther’s rise is nothing short of groundbreaking. She is part of a new generation of African women engineers and tech founders who are reimagining how innovation can work for everyone—not just the urban elite.
Her work sits at the powerful intersection of technology, gender inclusion, and food security. And with each farm reached, she is proving that African solutions don’t need to imitate Silicon Valley—they can lead on their own terms.
“I want girls to see that they can be farmers, engineers, and inventors—all at once,” she said in an interview after her Africa Prize win.
Esther’s story is a reminder that the next green revolution won’t come from overseas. It’s already taking root in places like Kiambu, Nairobi, and Kisumu—in the hands of innovators like her.
From a daughter of farmers to one of Africa’s most exciting engineering minds, Esther Kimani is cultivating more than crops. She’s cultivating a legacy.
Image Credit: Launch Base Africa
