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Elgon Kenya’s Bimal Kantaria feted for championing modern farming in East Africa
Elgon Kenya’s Director Bimal Kantaria has been recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree for his efforts at promoting the agriculture sector in East Africa.
Ghanaian Govt seeks $3b from diaspora community for development projects
The Ghanaian government wants to raise $3 billion from its diaspora to finance development projects in agriculture, infrastructure, and tourism, the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced last week.
Microsoft 4Afrika brings technology and IT skills support to World Bank's One Million Farmers Platform
Microsoft, through its 4Afrika Initiative, has pledged support to the One Million Farmers Platform, a World Bank initiative aiming to improve the productivity, profitability and resilience of one million African farmers through disruptive agricultural technologies.
UNIDO, Egypt confirm support for Programme for Country Partnership
During the World Youth Forum, the Director General of UNIDO met with President of the Arab Republic of Egypt to discuss the UNIDO flagship project in Egypt, the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP).
AfDB approves $5m grant to scale up Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved a grant of $5 million to enable the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme to scale up its outreach and impact to 1,000 select youth entrepreneurs.
ADF commits $7.6bn in support of Africa’s low-income, fragile, countries
Donors of the African Development Fund (ADF) agreed to commit $7.6 billion to speed up growth in Africa’s poorest nations and help lift millions out of poverty.
OPEC Fund approves $310m to finance new development projects across the globe
The Governing Board of the OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) has approved US$310 million of new funding to benefit developing countries across the globe.
Economic diversification can create more, better jobs in Ghana, World Bank report
Ghana’s economic growth has been strong over the past decade, with annual GDP per capita growth at 4.4 percent between 2006 and 2017.
[Kenya] Agritech startup Farmshine raises US$ 250,000 from Gray Matters Capital’s coLABS
Farmshine, a Nairobi based agritech start-up has raised a USD 250,000 funding from US-based impact investor Gray Matters Capital’s gender lens sector-agnostic portfolio – GMC coLABS.
Act now to avert food shortage, experts challenge Africa
Without changing the approach towards the efforts to end hunger, Africa risks remaining as the only continent struggling with hunger in 2030.
African Development Bank supports access to finance for SMEs in Tunisia
The African Development Bank launched the "Investia Enterprise" program to strengthen the dynamics of financial inclusion for Tunisian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Africa has grasped the Fourth Industrial Revolution, needs to improve access to finance, skills and inclusive growth, AfDb report
A report compiled by the African Development Bank reveals a continent that is embracing the brave new world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution but needs to improve access to finance, skills and inclusive growth.
EIB expands trade & investment insurance benefits to West Africa
The EIB has formally agreed to support membership expansion of the African Trade Insurance Agency with a concessional financing facility to cover the shareholding of three prospective members - Cameroon, Niger and Togo.
[Kenya] Liquid Telecom recognized for deploying IoT solutions to fish farmers in Kenya
Liquid Telecom was recognised for helping thousands of fish farmers in Western Kenya and Nyanza to monitor and protect freshwater fish populations using Internet of Things (IoT)
African Development Bank approve $115 billion increase in capital, signals strong support
Governors of the AfDB representing shareholders from 80 countries approved a landmark $115 billion increase in capital.
[Kenya] Equity Bank partners with AGCO to offer agribusinesses financing on tractors
Equity Bank Kenya and AGCO have signed a partnership agreement that will see their customers get up to 80 percent financing on the Massey Ferguson tractors and accompanying implements.
OPEC Fund signs US$85m loan agreements for 4 African countries
The OPEC Fund Director-General Dr Alkhalifa signed a public sector loan agreements totaling US$85m with beneficiary countries Benin, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
[Nigeria] Bazuze boosts local economy by encouraging people to invest in agriculture commodity trading
In Nigeria, being a farmer has often been synonymous with poverty for quite a while now.
[Chad] IFAD, partners launch project to help farmers adapt to climate change, boost agriculture sector
A new €81.9 million project funded by IFAD and partners will help more than 1 million vulnerable small-scale farmers in Chad improve their incomes and food security and boost an under-performing agricultural sector.
Angola becomes 8th Member State to sign Charter establishing SADC regional fisheries Monitoring Control Surveillance Coordination Centre
The Minister for Fisheries and Sea of the Republic of Angola signed the Charter establishing the SADC regional fisheries Monitoring Control Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) in Maputo, Mozambique.
Kenyan potato farmers benefit from new seed multiplication technology
Members of GreenTech Self Help Group from Nyandarua County in Kenya have embraced a new agribusiness enterprise in the multiplication of Irish potato seeds and planting materials, a venture they say is bearing fruit.
47 countries make reforms to help farmers grow business, 4 African countries among top improvers, World Bank
Four countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are among the top ten reformers worldwide promoting favorable regulations for farmers in the areas measured, a report issued by the World Bank finds.
Over one million Chad farmers to benefit from €81.9 climate resilience million project
A new €81.9 million project will help more than 1 million vulnerable small-scale farmers in Chad improve their incomes and food security and boost an underperforming agricultural sector.
Afreximbank launches initiative to catalyze African cotton sector
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is developing an African Cotton Initiative (AFRICOTIN) to help to catalyse the African cotton sector.
FAO and the Netherland's Development Finance Company partner to improve agriculture financing in developing countries
FAO and FMO, the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank have launched a partnership to increase investments in favor of SMEs and small-scale producers operating within the agribusiness sector in developing countries.
[Algeria] The US contributes $560,000 to support fish farming in refugee camps
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$560,000 from the US State Department to support WFP’s innovative fish farm in Algeria’s Tindouf refugee camps.
South African companies head to the US for an agro-processing selling mission
The Department of Trade and Industry is currently leading a delegation of seventeen South African companies on an Outward Selling Mission to the United States of America.
Climate-friendly biogas transform lives in rural Tanzania
In Malambo village, Ngorongoro district, the lush forests and livestock that once flourished and the rivers that flowed year-long are now a distant memory.
[Angola] Drought and commercial cattle farming exposes tens of thousands to devastating hunger, Amnesty International
Tens of thousands of pastoral farmers who have been driven off their land to make way for commercial cattle ranches have been exposed to a greater risk of hunger and starvation as drought grips southern Angola.
Malawi receives $13.2 million for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture development and watershed management project
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $13.2 million financing package for a fisheries and aquaculture development project in Malawi.
International Organisation for Migration completes fish farming project to boost local economy in Niger
The International Organisation for Migration has completed a fish farming project to the benefit more than 6,500 people through its project Community Stabilization Initiatives in Northern Niger, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
COMESA and ASARECA sign pact to promote agriculture
COMESA has forged strategic partnership with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), to develop solutions to challenges that face farmers in the region.
[South Africa] Significant economic growth achieved despite indirect global consequences, the dti
The Director-General of the dti said that even though global growth remains subdued and South Africa was confronted by a host of indirect risks consequences, it still achieved significant strides in job creation and economic growth initiatives.
IFAD opens regional office in Egypt, provides rural development support to countries in the region
IFAD has opened a regional office in Cairo to serve as a strategic rural development center for its work to reduce poverty, empower women and youth, and create employment opportunities in seven countries across the region.
African projects win in the Global Resilience Partnership innovation challenge
African projects from Kenya, Uganda, Mali and Ethiopia are among the 16 winners of The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) innovation challenge whose focus is surfacing resilience solutions across Africa and Asia.
[South Africa] Global financial leaders launch digital platform to tackle international trade barriers, bolster business growth
Financial leaders from banks around the world convened in London to mark the official launch of the Trade Club Alliance.
Eswatini, IFAD partner to boost inclusive financial services for smallholder farmers
About 30,900 rural people in the Kingdom of Eswatini will benefit from a new US$38.5 million project that aims to improve the prosperity and resilience of poor and vulnerable smallholder farmers and micro-entrepreneurs in the country.
Ugandan tea processor secures $3.15 million investment from Oikocredit
Solidaridad has facilitated $3.15 million of financing for Ugandan tea processor Kayonza Tea Factory in the form of a long-term loan from social impact investor Oikocredit.
Ghana commodity exchange partners with WFP to manage warehouse for smallholder farmers
The Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to manage a warehouse WFP constructed for smallholder maize farmers in the Ejura/Sekyedumase Municipality.
Cargill, IFC partner to launch Coop Academy 2.0 to empower cocoa producing cooperatives
Cargill and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have renewed their partnership, allowing the organisations to introduce new initiatives to strengthen cocoa-producing cooperatives and their communities.
[Interview] Bob Koigi, Africa Business Communities
Bob Koigi, multiple award winning journalist and East Africa Region Chief Editor at Africa Business Communities, was recently selected as one of the 100 worldwide most influential people of African descent under 40
Africa's first sustainably sourced chocolate brand to be introduced to the USA market
African sustainability has never been 100 per cent African on its own initiative - that's where it becomes unclear who has benefited most from it.
Refinitiv partners with AFGRI Technology Services to use Artificial Intelligence to connect African farmers to banking services
Global provider of financial markets data and infrastructure Refinitiv and South Africa’s agricultural services company AFGRI Technology Services (ATS) have announced the Bankable Farmer Research Initiative.
Kenya, Ivory Coast named rising stars of global trade
Ivory Coast tops the list as Kenya comes 3rd in the 2019 Standard Chartered Bank Trade20 Index as markets with the greatest potential for future trade growth.
Alibaba and WFP unveil next generation of machine learning technology in the fight against hunger
Alibaba Group and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have announced the launch of “Hunger Map LIVE,” a groundbreaking global hunger monitoring system that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and data analytics.
Mastercard and Rabobank partner to connect one million farmers to a digital marketplace
Mastercard and Rabobank announced a strategic partnership to give one million farmers in emerging markets access to a digital platform that makes it easier for them to sell their produce for a fair price.
Netherlands donates $28 million to build more resilient food systems in Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has contributed $28 million to back FAO's work to boost the resilience of food systems in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan.
[Column] Okisegere Ojepat: Why multiple, conflicted agencies make a mess of food safety
Safe food is essential to our health and wellbeing; yet it has emerged as a political football in recent months, as different authorities chase a role in food testing.
Ghana Cocoa Board seals deal on USD1.3 billion cocoa syndicated loan agreement
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has completed a USD 1.3 billion cocoa syndicated loan agreement for the purchase of cocoa beans from local farmers during the 2019/2020 crop season.
Ghana Cocoa Board signs agreement with China company to establish processing factory
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has signed an agreement with the China General Technology Group for the establishment of a cocoa processing factory in Ghana.
South Sudan struggles to survive despite improved food security conditions, UN agencies
In spite of a slight improvement in the food security situation since June 2019, more than half the population of South Sudan, some 6.35 million people, do not know where their next meal will come from, three United Nations agencies warned.
IFAD targets 150,000 rural Senegal youth with $93 million agriculture project
About 150,000 rural young people in Senegal – 50 per cent of them women - will benefit from a new US$93.3 million project that aims to create income and decent sustainable jobs in agricultural, pastoral and fishery value chains.
Agricultural innovation & technology hold key to poverty reduction in South Asia and Africa, World Bank
Developing countries need to dramatically increase agricultural innovation and the use of technology by farmers, to eliminate poverty, meet the rising demand for food, and cope with the adverse effects of climate change.
United Nations and World Bank Group call for sustained funding to relieve suffering in Somalia
Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock has called for sustained funding to protect recent gains made in beating back hunger in Somalia.
Egypt signs agreement with China to export dates
Egypt and China have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on exporting fresh Egyptian dates to China.
Angola to reform business climate to boost investment in agribusiness
Angola's Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Economy and Planning, together with the UNCTAD discussed reforms to boost FDI for economic diversification, during the presentation of the Investment Policy Review (IPR) in Angola.
United Arab Emirates, FAO partner to boost resilience in Liberia
The United Arab Emirates has partnered with FAO to provide $4 million in funding to foster rural development in Liberia.
Clinton Foundation, AIF extend partnership to reduce hunger, support livelihoods in Malawi and Rwanda
The Clinton Foundation announced an expansion of its partnership with AIF to help source soybeans from farmers in Malawi that supports farmers’ livelihoods, strengthens local agricultural economies, and makes progress toward Zero Hunger.
AfDB, UN Nutrition Network partner to lead nutrition commitments in Zambia
The African Development Bank (AfDB) country office in Zambia and the UN Nutrition Network have agreed to lead multi-agency commitments aimed at effective implementation of the country’s national food and nutrition agenda.
Angola presents a wealth of business opportunities for the South African private sector, Commerce Minister
Angola Commerce Minister Dr Joffre Van-Dunem Junior said that Angola is a trade and investment destination for the South African companies keen on investing and doing business in the country.
[Column] Wayne Spaumer: Artificial intelligence key to Africa’s future food security
The cumulative view provided by the confluence of machine learning and decision making in conjunction with third-party data all hosted in the cloud, has given rise to artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture.
EU provides €15 million support to improve Ethiopia’s coffee sector
The European Union (EU) has provided a € 15 million support to improve the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s coffee sector.
Bayer creates EUR 20 million social innovation ecosystem fund to spur entrepreneurship for African smallholder farmers
The Bayer Foundation launched its new EUR 20 million Social Innovation ecosystem fund by awarding EUR 3 million to four pioneering social innovators - myAgro, Mercy Corps, Path and Living Goods.
Sasol concludes first local development agreements with communities in Mozambique
After extensive negotiations, Sasol has concluded 2 Local Development Agreements (LDAs) with the communities of Inhassoro and Govuro districts in Inhambane Province, Mozambique.
South Africa business delegation seek for trade and investment opportunities in Angola
A South African business delegation is in Luanda, Angola in search of export market as part of the Outward Trade and Investment Mission.
[Kenya] Oserian Two Lakes Industrial Park inks $10 million deal with Maxim Agri
The journey towards realization of a business park at flower grower Oserian Development Company’s expansive farm in Naivasha has kicked off in earnest following the signing of a $10 million investment by Dubai-based Maxim Agri.
AfDB, AFAP sign $5.4m agreements to foster fertilizer market in Nigeria and Tanzania
The African Development Bank and the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership have signed two grant agreements to implement trade credit guarantees worth $5.4 million to support fertilizer value chains in Nigeria and Tanzania.
African Green Revolution Forum secures $500 million for young agripreneurs
A $500 million commitment to developing agriculture opportunities for young Africans, a “Deal Room” that delivered some $200 million in new investments
New organization introduces nutritious crop varieties among 38 million farmers in 15 African countries with high rates of child malnutrition
Fifteen African countries encompassing 315 million people and with average child malnutrition rates of 38 percent could significantly improve food security and nutrition by developing their seed industries.
Rwanda to host the 2020 AGRF
Following a competitive bidding process, the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Partners Group unanimously agreed and announced that the Republic of Rwanda will host the AGRF 2020.
Corteva Agriscience leads fight against fall armyworm with insect control solutions for African maize farmers
Corteva Agriscience has been introducing insect control solutions to Africa’s maize farmers to in maize in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
[Column] Bob Koigi: Technology farming is the answer to Africa’s growing food demand
The unprecedented population boom in Africa, the highest world over, continues to put more pressure on food producers as they grapple with having more mouths to feed.
Grow Africa signs first set of term sheets worth over $200 million
Grow Africa has announced the signing of 7 term sheets that will result in a total of over $200,000,000 of new investment in Malawi, Uganda, Eswatini, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire by 2023.
Ugandan farmer and Senegalese veterinarian named 2019 Africa Food Prize winners
Uganda’s Dr. Emma Naluyima, a smallholder farmers and veterinarian and Baba Dioum a policy champion and agricultural entrepreneur from Senegal have been named the joint winners of the 2019 Africa Food Prize.
UNIDO to implement EU-funded Programme to boost Kenya’s agricultural exports
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) was selected to implement a EU-funded project ‘Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP)’, which will boost Kenya’s agricultural exports regionally and internationally.
Corteva Agriscience partners with AGRF in celebrating Africa’s agricultural champions
Corteva Agriscience has partnered with the Agriculture Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) celebrate this year’s ‘Agriculture & Food Security Prize’ winners.
Non-tariff barriers, lack of product diversification biggest threats to Africa’s agricultural trade performance, report
A new report points to non-tariff barriers, high trading costs and a lack of product diversification as the biggest impediments to Africa’s agricultural trade performance.
Microsoft and AGRA partner to create technology solutions in agriculture
Microsoft, through its 4Afrika Initiative, has announced a new collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to co-create technology solutions in agriculture.
Up to 64 per cent of food consumed in Africa is handled by millions of SMEs, creating a food revolution, report
A new report finds that millions of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) source directly from millions more smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Corteva Agriscience launches operations in East Africa
New York Stock Exchange-listed agriculture company, Corteva Agriscience, has officially launched its regional operations in East Africa with a promise to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
UNIDO, FAO launch initiative to accelerate Africa youth employment in agriculture
UNIDO, FAO and the African Union together with numerous additional partners, have launched the Flagship Initiative to Accelerate Youth Employment in Agriculture and Agribusiness in Africa.
IFC partners with ITOCHU to develop largest pineapple processing facility in Sierra Leone
IFC has signed a deal with ITOCHU Corporation and its subsidiary Sierra Tropical Ltd. to develop the largest pineapple producing and processing facility in the Republic of Sierra Leone,
Bazuze trading platform connects Nigeria farmers to ready local and export markets
To talk about the importance of agriculture is not overemphasizing, especially with a population of over 200 million Nigerians to feed daily.
Palladium announces $40 million impact investment fund targeting small businesses in Sub Saharan Africa
Global consultancy firm Palladium has announced its first impact investment fund to bridge the financing gap for small businesses in sub-Saharan Africa.
South Africa and Tunisia commit to strengthen economic ties
The South African Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and the Tunisian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs have committed to strengthen bilateral economic relations between the two countries in order to increase trade and investment.
[South Africa] Vodacom’s Women Farmers Programme goes nationwide
The Women Farmers Programme equips women, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, with the digital skills for today’s digital economy to meaningfully participate in the mainstream economy.
[Column] Michael Hailu: Africa needs more youth to farm, let’s give them the tools to do so
It has long been clear that agriculture needs more young people, not only to secure Africa's future food security but to modernize farming.
Kenya farmers find new fortunes in avocado farming
Kenya’s avocado farming, now christened the green revolution, has seen farmers abandon their traditional crops in favour of harvesting the popular fruit.
Kenya’s animal health industry unveils umbrella body to address sector needs
The animal health industry in Kenya has today launched a new body that will articulate and address the needs of industry players.
[Nigeria] Hermetic bags reduce food loss in Yobe state
A training carried out by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Yobe State, North East Nigeria, has improved methods of food storage after the harvest season.
TechnoServe and Wehubit launch drone project to bolster Benin’s cashew industry
TechnoServe and Wehubit have launched an initiative that will use drones to improve the productivity and environmental sustainability of the country’s important cashew sector.
New tech to allow West African farmers access seed and fertilizer data online
Experts from IFDC, CORAF, and the private sector have come together in Dakar Senegal to develop an online tool to give localized seed and fertilizer recommendations.
AgDevCo makes first investment in Cote d'Ivoire with DekelOil
AgDevCo has announced a €8.7 million investment into the DekelOil group, an agribusiness operating in the palm oil and cashew sectors in West Africa.
IFC and MIGA to support landmark wind farm on Egypt’s Gulf of Suez
IFC and MIGA, members of the World Bank Group, signed an agreement to support the development of a 252-megawatt wind farm by Lekela in Egypt’s Red Sea governorate.
Africa's key development partners formalize their commitment to address food and nutrition security in the continent
In partnership with the African Union, leaders of four multilateral agencies, AfDB, FAO, IFAD and the World Bank, called for a high-level meeting with development partners in Kigali, Rwanda at the first Africa Food Security Leadership Dialogue.
Food situation worsens for refugees in Malawi, urgent support required
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Malawi is deeply concerned about the worsening food situation for approximately 40,000 refugees and asylum-seekers following a cut in the amount of food assistance they receive.
Greater resilience needed for African food security in the face of climate change, FAO
Resilience must be boosted in Africa in response to climate change, according to participants at the high-level Africa Food Security Leadership Dialogue hosted by the Government of Rwanda in Kigali.
AB InBev partners with BanQu to empower Africa farmers with blockchain technology
AB InBev Africa and BanQu Inc have teamed up to uplift smallholder farmers; expand financial inclusion and empowering more people across Africa.
COMESA introduces live animal grading, value addition to grow regional livestock trade
Regional trade in live animals, meat and meat products are set to rise following a raft of new measures being put in place by COMESA and livestock exporting and importing countries.
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