For decades, industrial agriculture has depleted ecosystems worldwide. Once teeming with microorganisms and rich nutrients, fertile soils have been exhausted by monoculture farming and excessive synthetic chemical use. While high-income nations developed vast industrial food systems, these methods left lasting damage on the land and worsened global inequalities, particularly in food-insecure regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America—areas most vulnerable to climate change.

Women farmers, especially those in resource-constrained areas, face multiple challenges: soil degradation, unpredictable climate patterns, and diminishing resources. As local food systems deteriorate, traditional farming practices that once ensured resilience are being replaced with less sustainable approaches.

Acelera Agro, an agricultural accelerator established by Acelera Angola and Soha Nasser in Angola, is pioneering a fresh, climate-smart approach to agriculture. Their focus on soil health, community support, and regionally driven initiatives aims to create lasting global impact.

Strengthening Women-Led Agriculture

This article is part of the Climate KIC series, highlighting inclusive climate entrepreneurship and the vital role of women entrepreneurs. In partnership with the Salesforce Foundation, we provided six women-led Entrepreneurship Support Organisations with flexible financial grants, training programs, and access to a supportive community—helping them scale their impact.

A New Vision for Sub-Saharan Agriculture

Nasser’s vision for Acelera Agro was shaped by her experience in Lebanon’s agrifood sector and her work with a climate innovation accelerator focused on sustainable food systems. Upon relocating to Angola, she saw an opportunity to transform agriculture into a driver of resilience and community strength.

“We founded Acelera Agro to serve all of Sub-Saharan Africa and address every aspect of the agricultural ecosystem—not just production,” Nasser explains.

The organisation’s model is built on five key pillars: adaptive farming, eco-friendly production, food innovation, circular economies, and the water-energy-food nexus. Their climate-smart strategies go beyond soil restoration—they foster food security, resilience, and emissions reduction by tailoring farming methods to the region’s unique ecological challenges.

Advancing Food Security Through Innovation

While Sub-Saharan Africa has seen improvements in GDP, health, and education, women farmers still struggle with lower productivity—lagging 20% to 30% behind men due to limited access to resources. Acelera Agro aims to bridge this gap by equipping women farmers with essential tools and skills to enhance yields, preserve resources, and sustain food systems.

To date, Acelera Agro has implemented climate-adaptive farming techniques on 13 farms across Angola, improving soil vitality and crop health. Farmers are learning critical techniques in water conservation, regenerative fertilisation, and land management—building biodiverse soil systems that endure climate fluctuations without sacrificing productivity.

Sustainability Through Circularity and Precision Agriculture

At the core of Acelera Agro’s approach is precision agriculture—data-driven farming techniques that help farmers manage resources efficiently and detect early signs of pests or climate-related risks. This proactive method enhances soil resilience and minimises crop loss.

Circularity, another foundational pillar, promotes sustainable practices by repurposing by-products and agricultural waste—ensuring farming remains resource-conscious. Additionally, Acelera Agro prioritises efficiency across the water-energy-food link, integrating technologies that reduce water and energy consumption from cultivation to food processing.

Collaboration for Regional Impact

With support from Climate KIC, Acelera Agro has expanded its reach across Sub-Saharan Africa. Beyond funding, this collaboration has provided mentorship, technical resources, and expert guidance.
“Climate KIC has strengthened our work at the intersection of agriculture and climate,” says Nasser. Through strategic partnerships, Acelera Agro has built a network of specialists in sustainable agriculture, equipping Nasser and her team with the insights needed to navigate climate-resilient farming.

Reflecting on her experience, Nasser acknowledges the challenges of securing financial support. “Fundraising is incredibly tough. Hearing peers and experts share their strategies gave me practical tips and a real sense of camaraderie—we’re all facing the same uphill battle.”

Expanding Acelera Agro’s Influence

“Our programme is inclusive, but empowering women in agriculture remains a top priority,” Nasser explains. She hopes to expand training initiatives for women farmers and entrepreneurs, closing the gender gap in agricultural leadership and strengthening food resilience across the region.

For Acelera Agro, building a sustainable agricultural future requires lasting collaboration. “Climate KIC has been instrumental in our journey but to scale these solutions, continued partnerships are essential,” Nasser states. By uniting with more allies and investing in climate-smart agriculture, Acelera Agro is shaping a more resilient future.

When asked what advice she would offer to aspiring changemakers, her response was clear: “Have grit. Passion and perseverance are what carry us forward. To inspire change, you must embody it first.”
About This Initiative

At Climate KIC, we are committed to advancing inclusion within climate innovation. Supported by CATAL1.5°T, Irish Aid, Green Hub, and Salesforce Foundation, our programme helps partners address gender inequities and implement actionable strategies to integrate gender perspectives into their work.
We collaborate with a range of institutions and organisations to foster inclusive climate entrepreneurship. Get in touch with us today to explore partnership opportunities.