Agriculture in Africa is more than just food production, it’s innovation, resilience, and opportunity. Across the continent, a new wave of founders are redefining what it means to farm turning everyday challenges into billion-cedi possibilities.
In this All Agric Spotlight, we feature Theophilus Ofori-Gyamo, the founder of Bolstaar, a farm equipment sourcing and management platform making the African farming experience easier and better for every farmer, everywhere. From his early inspirations to the challenges of building for African realities, Theophilus shares lessons, insights, and hopes for the future of agriculture.
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
Theophilus:
- “My superpower would be sourcing great talents to form great teams that solve problems. I’ve seen so many people suffer from challenges that are entirely surmountable especially in Africa. These problems are well known and multifaceted, but with the right mix of skills, grit, and collaboration, we can solve them.”
What inspired you to start Bolstaar? What was the “aha moment”?
Theophilus:
- “I grew up in a peri-urban community where over 80% of people were farmers. They worked incredibly hard, used every resource they could, and yet remained poor. I loved farming and wanted to understand why. The real ‘aha’ moment came when I was hosting an agric radio show. One day, a guest mentioned the Kosmos Innovation Centre, which funds innovative agritech ideas. I joined with the Bolstaar idea and that’s where the dream took off.”
Explain Bolstaar to my 90-year-old grandma in Ghana
Theophilus:
- “Farming is hard work. Farmers need big machines like tractors and harvesters, but they can’t afford them. Bolstaar is a platform that lets farmers see and rent these machines from others who own them using simple digital tools. Machine owners make money. Farmers work faster. Yields increase. Everyone wins. That’s Bolstaar.”
How did your early life shape your journey into agriculture and innovation?
Theophilus:
- “I’ve always been curious and drawn to innovation. But what really shaped me was growing up seeing the struggles of farmers firsthand. Connecting those experiences to digital innovation became my life’s work – reducing the burden, one idea at a time.”
What misconception about African agriculture does Bolstaar challenge?
Theophilus:
- “That farming is all about backbreaking labor. Bolstaar is proving that agriculture can be smart, digital, and profitable. Once young people see that, the entire perception of farming will shift and that’s when Africa’s agricultural revolution will truly begin.”
What’s one impact story that has stayed with you?
Theophilus:
- “Since we started Bolstaar, I’ve seen people turn equipment renting into real businesses. In some rural communities, individuals now run equipment centers where farmers rent tools like sprayers and mist blowers. In urban areas, people share mowers and pruning tools the same way they’d share rides or Wi-Fi. The model is catching on. The next step is integrating everything digitally so a farmer in Tamale can rent a tractor in Techiman with one click.”
What’s the biggest challenge in building for African farmers?
Theophilus:
- “Change takes time. When people have struggled financially for years, it’s hard to convince them to invest in something new. So, we’re focusing on trust-building – educating farmers, demonstrating impact, and showing that equipment sharing isn’t just convenience; it’s economic empowerment.”
If you had a magic wand to fix one thing in Africa’s agriculture ecosystem…
Theophilus:
- “Value addition. Africans must move from raw material exporters to global product creators. We can’t keep growing cocoa and importing chocolate. The real wealth is in processing and branding.”
What’s one thing you wish you’d learned earlier as a founder?
Theophilus:
- “Team building. Everything depends on having the right people. A great team can build anything because innovation is a team sport.”
What does success look like to you?
Theophilus:
- “Success is a world without hunger and Africa can make that happen. I want Bolstaar to be part of that journey: helping farmers produce more food, more efficiently, and with dignity. When African farmers win, the whole world wins.”
Advice for the next generation of African agritech founders
Theophilus:
- “Dare to do more. The opportunities are massive. The billionaires of the future won’t come from fintech, they’ll come from agriculture.”
Agriculture in Africa is…
Theophilus:
- “Exciting!”
As Africa’s agriculture sector continues to evolve, stories like Theophilus Ofori-Gyamo’s remind us that innovation doesn’t only come from big cities or large corporations, it grows in villages, hubs, and farms across the continent.
For Bolstaar, the journey is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: their work is shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future for African agriculture.
Stay tuned for our next Spotlight where we continue to highlight the people and startups redefining the continent’s food and farming systems.