A Sit Down with Caleb Edwards: Reflections on Growth, Leadership, and Vision

As 2024 drew to a close, we sat down with our Managing Director for a reflective conversation on the year's key moments and insights for Wami Agro Limited, both for the company and his leadership.?

Q: How would you rate the year 2024 for WamiAgro and what are some of your key reflections?

Caleb: 2024 was a mixed bag for WamiAgro; if I had to rate it, I’d give it a solid 7 out of 10. It was a year marked by ambitious growth and resilience, but also one where we faced some of our biggest challenges. We secured a seed round investment, doubled the size of our team, and took on more projects than ever before. But with growth came complexity — we encountered setbacks, including our largest financial loss. Despite these hurdles, the team’s resilience is what kept us afloat. That’s something I’ll always be grateful for.

Q: With all the challenges and milestones of this past year, what did you learn about leading in this industry?

Caleb: Being an entrepreneur in this volatile space is like walking a tightrope ??. This year, I’ve had to grow as a leader, balancing kindness with firmness while instilling discipline across a diverse team. The challenges were tough: climate-induced droughts, grain export bans that directly impacted our core business, and navigating stakeholder interests in an unpredictable regulatory environment. At times, we made commercial sacrifices for grassroots impact, yet we still achieved decent revenue growth ??. Leadership, I’ve learned, is about negotiation, delegation, and staying grounded in your values, even when the world around you shifts rapidly.

Q: As a leader, how do you adapt to changing circumstances? And building on that, what advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Caleb: In a fast-paced industry, you’ve got to stay sharp. For me, it’s about focusing on the wins, leaning on my team, and staying informed. Having a team that’s both capable and resilient has been my greatest asset ??. Their energy and innovation fuel our progress, and it’s a privilege to lead them. To upcoming entrepreneurs, my advice is twofold: cultivate curiosity and embrace humility. Learn beyond your comfort zone — from industry trends, case studies, and even critics. And remember, everyone has something to teach you, whether they’re a team member or an outsider who might not fully grasp your work.

Q: Looking ahead to 2025, what are your visions for WamiAgro and what Industry trends & opportunities are you planning to capitalize on?

Caleb: The future excites me because there’s a growing wave of interest in agriculture among the youth ??, and I’m eager to foster partnerships that build their capacity. For WamiAgro, 2025 will be about increasing farmer incomes, creating more jobs for youth and women, and driving sustainable growth. I want to inspire my team to be their best selves, align stakeholder interests, and lead with clarity and purpose. If we measure success by the livelihoods we improve and the impact we create, then I believe we’re on the right track.