Physician · Entrepreneur · Social Innovator
Michael Iyanro
Building technology-driven solutions that improve healthcare, strengthen food systems, and expand economic opportunity for underserved communities across Africa.
Rooted in the land
Born in Nigeria and raised in a farming family, Michael learned early how agriculture, nutrition, poverty, and public health are connected.
Driven by impact
Years in rural communities shaped a career focused on practical, technology-enabled solutions for people left out of formal systems.
Michael Iyanro is a Nigerian physician, entrepreneur, and social innovator whose work sits at the intersection of healthcare, agriculture, and digital technology. Growing up in a farming family gave him a firsthand view of the structural barriers facing rural communities — from food insecurity and limited market access to poor health outcomes and financial exclusion.
He trained as a medical doctor at Ahmadu Bello University before deepening his development expertise in Russia, earning a master’s in Cooperation and Development from MGIMO and a master’s in Public Health from Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. He also holds professional certificates in water resources management, poverty and human rights, environmental education, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, leadership, and social innovation from institutions across Europe.
MBBS
Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
MSc Cooperation & Development
MGIMO, Moscow, Russia
MSc Public Health
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russia
From rural health to agricultural technology
A journey through medicine, social impact, and entrepreneurship — each step sharpening the focus on technology for rural Africa.
- 2011Founder
Rainbow Gate Foundation
Established to improve healthcare access, education, agricultural livelihoods, and economic opportunity for underserved communities in Nigeria. The foundation ran programmes in maternal and child health, disease prevention, youth entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability, often working with public institutions and development partners.
This work exposed the deep connections between food insecurity, poverty, and health outcomes — leading Michael from medicine into agricultural innovation.
- 2010sPhysician & Innovator
Medical & Social Innovation
Before moving into entrepreneurship full-time, Michael led public health and healthcare innovation initiatives aimed at improving access to quality care in Nigeria. He explored technology, community engagement, and entrepreneurship as levers for better delivery, especially among underserved populations.
His contributions earned national and international fellowships and innovation awards, laying the groundwork for his ventures.
- 2010sFounder
BirdPreneur
An agricultural technology platform supporting poultry farmers through financing, technical advisory, veterinary support, farm inputs, and market access. BirdPreneur introduced investment models connecting individuals and organizations with smallholder farmers, and later expanded into crop agriculture and digital services.
The venture revealed broader value-chain gaps — limited finance, fragmented supply chains, poor market information, and post-harvest losses — that inspired Agpreneur.
- PresentFounder & CEO
Agpreneur
A technology company building digital infrastructure for African agriculture using artificial intelligence, fintech, and data-driven decision-making. Agpreneur develops AI-powered advisory platforms, embedded finance, digital marketplaces, climate-smart decision support, and solutions that improve access to inputs, credit, insurance, and markets.
Agpreneur partners with farmers, cooperatives, financial institutions, agribusinesses, governments, and development organizations to strengthen food systems and financial inclusion.
Speaking, writing, and advancing the conversation
Conferences
Speaker at regional and international conferences on entrepreneurship, agriculture, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, food systems, and sustainable development.
Digital agriculture thought leadership
Contributed to discussions through platforms including the Asian Development Bank’s Development Asia, shaping dialogue on technology-enabled rural transformation.
Innovation networks
Participated in accelerator programmes and global initiatives supporting agricultural technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation across Africa and beyond.
Honored for impact across health, agriculture, and innovation
Philips Livable Cities Awardee
Challenge Future Global Winner
Energy Globe Awardee
LEAP Africa Social Innovator Award Winner
LIVESTRONG BIG C Award Winner
GOOD World Pioneers of Health Fellow
Nigerian Health Innovation Marketplace Young Entrepreneur
Google RISE Award Winner
Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme Award Winner
Centre for Health Innovation Fellow
NextGen in Franchising Awardee
Member of the Next 100 African Startups
Legacy & impact
Michael Iyanro’s work spans healthcare, social innovation, agriculture, and artificial intelligence. Through his ventures and non-profit initiatives, he has focused on developing technology-driven solutions that improve livelihoods, strengthen food security, expand economic opportunities, and increase access to essential services for underserved communities.
His approach combines medicine, entrepreneurship, and technology to address interconnected development challenges, particularly those affecting rural populations across Africa.