Esther Joseph Cheyo

Esther Joseph Cheyo is a PhD candidate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management at The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and a CAPSI PhD Fellow. She is currently in her second year of doctoral studies. Her research focuses on assessing the contribution of NGO-led agricultural technology initiatives to youth employment in Northern Tanzania, with emphasis on strengthening innovation ecosystems that support inclusive and sustainable livelihood opportunities for young people. She is affiliated with NM-AIST, where she engages in research and innovation activities promoting science-led development in Africa. Her academic interests include agricultural technology, social entrepreneurship, youth employment, and empowerment, particularly on how digital innovations can enhance productivity and employment opportunities for rural and peri-urban youth. Esther brings practical experience through her internship and volunteer work with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, supporting research on seed systems scaling and agricultural mechanization across East Africa. She has also contributed to Mastercard Foundation–supported initiatives at Gudie Leisure Farm, focusing on youth entrepreneurship, stakeholder engagement, project development, and resource mobilization. Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications such as Cheyo et al. (2024) on cooperative participation and commercialization. Her interests in philanthropy and social investment focus on youth empowerment, inclusive agricultural transformation, and impact-driven innovation for sustainable development.