Alaa Hamadto on building through uncertainty and believing in Sudan again

As we sit in the midst of a global landscape where uncertainty has become the new normal, some individuals continue to defy expectations. Among them is Alaa Salih Hamadto, the founder and CEO of SolarFoods, a Sudanese agritech startup that's redefining the way agricultural produce is preserved using solar-powered drying technology. Last Thursday, I had the privilege of meeting Alaa over Google Meet, and what struck me was her remarkable calm in the face of adversity. She spoke of driving back into Sudan while drones flew overhead, of traveling for 36 hours without food or water because the roads were too treacherous to stop, and of arriving at her factory only to find that almost everything worth stealing had been pilfered. Her story is evidence of the human spirit's capacity for resilience.

Alaa's journey is not one of a sudden, dramatic shift. Rather, it's a series of deliberate choices that have led her to where she is today. She left a promising career in dentistry in 2014, a profession many would be proud to enter, to build a business around solar-powered food dryers. This decision was not taken lightly, as she would often face skepticism from relatives who thought she had squandered her education. Her determination to pursue her passion was a precursor to the many challenges she would face in the years to come.

In April 2023, war broke out in Sudan, forcing Alaa to flee to Cairo with her daughters. However, five months later, she made the bold decision to return to Sudan, not because it was safe, but because she couldn't bring herself to ask others to rebuild a country she had abandoned herself. This act of courage earned her the nickname "Alaa the Brave." Her decision was met with shock from fellow business owners who had left the country, many of whom had settled in safer locations. Alaa's willingness to take on the unknown, even in the midst of conflict, is a quality that has served her well in her entrepreneurial journey.

As we spoke, Alaa shared her thoughts on inherited purpose and the role it plays in shaping one's life. She spoke of how her experiences, both in and out of Sudan, have taught her valuable lessons about perseverance and the importance of staying true to one's vision. Her company, SolarFoods, is evidence of her unwavering commitment to her goals. Despite the numerous setbacks and challenges she has faced, Alaa remains optimistic about Sudan's future. Her conviction is not based on a fleeting optimism but is rooted in a deep-seated belief in the country's potential.

For Alaa, Sudan's future is worth betting her life on. Her words are laced with a sense of purpose and conviction that is inspiring to behold. As we wrap up our conversation, I am left with a sense of awe at the unyielding spirit of Alaa Hamadto. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, there is always hope., what will it take for others to believe in Sudan's future as much as Alaa does?

• Alaa Salih Hamadto is the founder and CEO of SolarFoods, a Sudanese agritech startup.
• She left a promising career in dentistry in 2014 to build a business around solar-powered food dryers.
• Alaa fled Sudan in April 2023 due to war but returned five months later to rebuild her company.
• Her decision to return to Sudan earned her the nickname "Alaa the Brave."

As I reflect on our conversation, I am struck by the resilience of individuals like Alaa Hamadto. Her story is evidence of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and determination. In a world where uncertainty has become the new normal, Alaa's unwavering commitment to her vision serves as a beacon of hope. Her future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: she will continue to build, to innovate, and to believe in Sudan's potential, no matter what challenges lie ahead.