South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The government and its partners have announced the winners of the Ignite Food Systems Challenge 2025, a nationwide competition aimed at transforming food systems through homegrown innovation.
The event, organized by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with donors and government ministries, spotlighted micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for their contributions to improving food production, processing, and distribution across the country.
In the opening remarks to the media, the Deputy Country Director of WFP in South Sudan, Shaun Hughes, stated that over 214 applications from across South Sudan demonstrate that solutions to the food system challenges exist.
“We received over 214 applications from across South Sudan, proof that solutions to food system challenges already exist within our communities,” said Shaun Hughes. “This is more than a competition; it is a platform for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient innovation.”
According to Shaun, the Ignite Food Systems Challenge, first launched in 2021, seeks to empower entrepreneurs with funding, training, and mentorship.
“This initiative recognises the critical role MSMEs play in shaping resilient food systems and stronger local economies,” Hughes said. “WFP is not just recognising success; we are investing in the future impact of these businesses.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), Gloria Nyoka, emphasised the importance of quality control, product certification, and safety standards in building a sustainable economy.
“This programme brings our entrepreneurs together and helps them recognise their strengths in driving economic growth,” said Gloria Nyoka. “We are proud to support them in ensuring that quality and safety are maintained throughout the production process.”
Nyoka highlighted the importance of certification for expanding markets beyond national borders: “A quality mark is like a passport; it enables our products to cross into regional and global markets. We are committed to providing standards and conformity assessments to support this journey.”
She congratulated the winners and urged them to use their funding wisely: “Winning is not the end; it is the beginning of a bigger milestone. Let your achievements today fuel your future impact.”
