When local problems are met with practical solutions, the impact can reach far beyond national borders. Ugandan entrepreneur Shifra Ainomugisha’s recognition as the 2026 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year is proof of that, highlighting how technology-driven agricultural solutions are helping transform the lives of smallholder farmers and creating a model for inclusive growth across Africa.
Ainomugisha, the founder and chief executive of Solafam, received the award during the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards ceremony in London on 25 June. Government representatives, high commissioners, youth leaders and other stakeholders attended the event to celebrate young people’s contributions to sustainable development across the Commonwealth.
Her social enterprise uses artificial intelligence and solar-powered technology to provide cold storage and irrigation services to farmers. Since 2022, Solafam has supported more than 1,500 smallholder farmers in Uganda, with women making up 70 percent of the beneficiaries. The initiative has reduced post-harvest losses by 30 percent and increased household incomes by 28 percent, helping communities build economic and climate resilience.
Innovation Rooted in Experience
Ainomugisha’s journey into entrepreneurship was shaped by personal experience. Growing up in a tomato-farming family, she saw crops perish because farmers lacked proper storage and had limited access to markets. Living in a patriarchal society, where hard work is often associated more with men than women, also inspired her to build her own business.
Receiving the award, she said the recognition belonged not only to her but also to the communities she serves.
“I am honoured to be named the 2026 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year. This recognition is not only personal but also represents the farmers and communities in Uganda whom we serve.”
She added that the award affirms that “solutions built from lived experience can create real impact” and expressed her desire to continue expanding her work with the support of the Commonwealth and its partners.
Her success was a double victory after she also won the top regional award for Africa, taking home a total prize of £5,000.
Investing in Youth-Led Solutions
The Commonwealth Youth Awards support young people aged between 15 and 29 by helping them scale innovative solutions to development challenges. Since the programme began, it has invested more than £400,000 in grassroots youth-led enterprises, reached over 12 million beneficiaries and contributed to the creation of more than 4,250 jobs.
Importantly, 40 percent of the funding has gone to women-led initiatives, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive growth.
Presenting the award, Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey praised all the finalists, saying they had shown “resilience in the face of challenge and innovation in the face of constraint.”
She added that the awards are not about recognition alone but about creating momentum and collective advancement through stronger youth development programmes across the Commonwealth.
This year’s ceremony also introduced the inaugural Patsy Robertson Award for Outstanding Communications Skills. Kenya’s Maria Maina won the award for her work through Social Justice Insights, a digital platform that uses research, advocacy and storytelling to educate young people on gender-based violence, femicide and women’s rights.
The 2026 awards attracted more than 970 submissions, from which 20 finalists were selected and narrowed down to five regional winners. Each finalist will receive a trophy, a certificate and £1,000 to support their work.
For Uganda’s farming communities, Ainomugisha’s achievement is more than an international honour. It is recognition that solutions developed from local experiences can create lasting economic opportunities and deliver meaningful change far beyond the communities where they began.
