Namibian engineer builds smart app linking farmers, markets

A Namibian civil engineer has developed a mobile application aimed at tackling hunger and reducing Africa’s reliance on food imports by connecting farmers directly with markets and providing access to agricultural knowledge.

Efraim Shimbali, founder of AfriAgriFed, said the app was developed in response to widespread hunger and food shortages across Africa, despite the continent having large areas of arable land.

He said a key challenge to food self-sufficiency is that three vital sectors – producers, markets and education – often operate in silos.

“There have been numerous reports of hunger-related deaths in Namibia and across Africa,” he told Ewi lyaNooli.

“While the continent has vast areas of arable land, it still imports food from countries with much smaller agricultural spaces.”

Shimbali said AfriAgriFed seeks to address this problem “by creating a cohesive ecosystem where these sectors can interact, ultimately boosting food production”.

Farming, markets revamped

Shimbali began developing the app in 2022 and launched its first prototype in 2023, attracting 120 users in Namibia.

After attracting interest from South African investors, he decided to replace the initial prototype in 2025 with an improved version.

Shimbali is collaborating with Namibian business partners and is in the final stages of preparing to launch the second mobile prototype in November. The web app is already available for user registration.

He said farmers will be able to download AfriAgriFed from the Google Play Store and App Store once they have internet access. Users will pay a one-off registration fee, as well as a fee deducted from sales.

Shimbali acknowledged that internet connectivity remains a challenge in rural areas but said he is confident that ongoing improvements would help bridge the gap.

“The app’s primary feature is its provision of accurate market data and statistics, ensuring that production aligns with actual market demands," he said.

The app also enables producers to collaborate to meet demand while allowing buyers to monitor product availability and readiness.

Digital farm-to-market link

In addition to farmers, the platform registers retailers and educational institutions. Shimbali said it also serves as a promotional and educational platform, offering tutorials, research presentations on agricultural topics and solutions to farming challenges, while creating internship opportunities for students.

One of the early success stories from the initial prototype was Mande J Investment in Etaka, Oshaala, which sold cabbage, tomatoes and fish without having to leave the farm to find customers.

Shimbali said funding remains a significant obstacle to the app’s development, while language is another challenge. The app is currently available only in English, but he said plans were underway to add local languages.

He has laid out a 14-year strategy for expanding the app across Africa, with the first four years dedicated exclusively to Namibia. The long-term vision includes establishing an agricultural technical institution to enhance production in the quaternary sector.

Shimbali has called for collaboration with government institutions, as well as with private and developmental partners.

"Technology is here to simplify our lives in every aspect. With this app, farming is aligned with known market needs, and your challenges can be resolved conveniently from your mobile device while on your farm," he said.