Indonesian students win the Singapore Business Case Competition x African Challenge 2024

A group of four Indonesian students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) has won the 2024 edition of the Singapore Business Case Competition X African Challenge (SBCC x AC).

As always, the competition was intense and the calibre of participants very high. Pitching their idea under the rubric of a fictional consultancy firm VisionQuesters, Owen Nigel Tjiptarahardja, Raphael Tandiono, Mathew Marchel Lim, and Benedict Gautama Utama beat 94 other teams of 355 students from 11 institutions all over Singapore.

They presented a three-pronged strategy focused on enhancing rice yields, stimulating domestic rice consumption, and fostering self-sufficiency within the Ghanaian rice market. The judges selected them for the innovative nature of their solutions and their comprehensive approach, which addresses various aspects of the rice value chain in Ghana.

For the second time in its 15-year-long history, the SBCC was centered on Africa. It was first launched on the 25 February 2023. This year, the challenge to the team was “How can Olam Agri, Ghana further empower its stakeholders, especially farmers to allow high-quality and sustainable rice production?”.  The competition tested participants' knowledge, analytical thinking, and communication abilities by solving a real-life business challenge. Their presentations were evaluated based on their analysis, innovation, and feasibility.

Nine teams advanced to the semi-final round and the top three teams competed in the Grand Finale, which took place at NTU on the 23 March 2024. The event was sponsored by Olam Agri, Ghana, and was supported by the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies. Nigel, Raphael, Mathew, and Benedict won the Championship position, with a cash prize equivalent of US$1100 (S$1500), and an all-expenses paid trip to Ghana. When asked if the team had any tips for future participants, they remarked, "Do your market research thoroughly! Maintain focus on simple, realistic solutions." Undoubtedly, invaluable advice from the team!

A NTU team of four students - Jarell Wong Ee Png, Gerwyn Teo, Sim Chi Ping Sherman, and Paviru Vidwan Perera took the 1st runner-up position with US$900 (S$1200) in cash prize, while a team from the National University of Singapore (NUS) team Tang Haiyi, Ong Kai Le, Kwan Hao Ron, Ng Yi Ting Natasha took the 2nd runner up position and US$750 (S$1000) in cash prize.

The panel of judges this year were Amit Gulrajani, President and Head – Rice Origination and Trading, Olam Global Agri Pte Ltd; Her Excellency Madiepetsane Charlotte Lobe, the High Commissioner of South Africa to Singapore; and Prof S Viswanathan, Director, Centre for Business Sustainability, Nanyang Business School.