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Danish dairy co-operative Arla Foods to build dairy farm in Nigeria to support local milk production
Danish Farmer owned dairy co-operative Arla Foods will build a commercial dairy farm in Northern Nigeria where it will also train and support up to 1,000 local dairy farmers.
Global Environment Facility approves over $46.6m to support FAO-led projects in Asia and Africa
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), welcomed approval from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), for five FAO-led projects in eight countries, totaling more than $46.6 million in funding.
IFC, AfDB launch program to support women farmers in Côte d’Ivoire
IFC and the African Development Bank’s AFAWA initiative announced a new partnership program to boost the professional capacities, incomes and access to finance of thousands of Ivorian women smallholder farmers.
African Development Bank approves $1.4m grant to improve food security in Zambia
The African Development Bank approved a $1.4 million grant from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program to reduce malnutrition among the Southern African nation’s most vulnerable households.
Le Crédit du Maroc accélère sa transformation digitale sur le segment des agriculteurs
Le Crédit du Maroc se veut également un partenaire globale des Agriculteurs avec une gamme de produits et services qui couvrent aussi bien les besoins professionnels et privés de cette clientèle.
IFC, German Ministry for Development partner to strengthen supply chains for smallholder farmers in Africa
IFC and BMZ, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, launched a new program that will leverage greater private sector investments to support the food production value chain across Africa.
AfDB appoints Beth Dunford as Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development
The African Development Bank (AfDB), announced the appointment of Dr. Beth Dunford as Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, effective 1st July 2021.
[Kenya] Agriculture Ministry and Microsoft Demonstrate Roadmap for sector Digital Transformation
Like the rest of the world, Kenya’s food systems are in the middle of a digital revolution as the COVID-19 pandemic brought in the weaknesses of present food systems.
AAK and Mars target Ghana women with a ten-year sustainable shea initiative
Running until 2030, the Women in Shea (WISH) initiative aims to reach 13,000 women shea collectors from more than 150 communities in northern Ghana.
World Bank approves $250m financing to support development of agri-food sector in Côte d’Ivoire
The World Bank approved $250 million in total financing from IDA to support the development of the agri-food sector and the creation of thousands of jobs in rural areas of Cote d’Ivoire.
FAO launches first In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training in Kenya
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) HAS launched the frontline In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) for the first Kenyan cohort of veterinarians and para-veterinary professionals.
World Bank approves new financing to increase productivity, market access for smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises in Liberia
The World Bank approved a new financing to increase productivity and market access for smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises in Liberia.
Nigeria agritech startup Thrive Agric targets 50,000 farmers with new project
A natural partner for the Trade Hub, Thrive Agric has already helped over 140,000 farmers in Nigeria increase their capacities to meet supply, quality, and food safety standards required by domestic and export markets.
AGRA’s continental VALUE4HER platform connects women in agribusiness with opportunities, market access
To enhance interaction and networking among African women in agribusiness and potential investors and trade partners, a platform dubbed VALUE4HER was launched in 2018 by CTA.
ITFC partners with UNIDO to support Egypt’s cotton sector and Sudan’s dairy sector
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have held a high-level bilateral meeting to highlight two project agreements.
[Column] Farmers, Ferraris and harvesting good investments in Africa
Agriculture for the most part has been a shining light for the continent and the investor community and governments have recognised that agri is a driver of a couple of key aspects.
OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I invests $5 million in Ethiopian poultry company EthioChicken
EthioChicken currently operates eight poultry farms and four hatcheries, which produce and supply young chicken for households in rural Ethiopia.
Nigeria stands to earn $700 million annually from Sugar Backward Integration
Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc has urged government to faithfully follow through with the Backward Integration Policy in the sugar industry as the nation stands to rake in foreign exchange up to $700millon yearly from Sugar production self-sufficiency.
Shell unveils cassava processing company in Nigeria
Shell says the company will support the economy and earning power of the Rivers State and its people from the cassava value chain while utilising leading technology to process and create more added value from the household crop.
GIZ Egypt and Arab Women's Enterprise Fund launch agri-digital startup competition
The Agri-Digital Startup Competition aims to enhance and support the digital agriculture ecosystem in Egypt to empower existing and potential entrepreneurs, particularly youth and women.
[Nigeria] Releaf, OnePipe partnership targets 2,000 farmers with digital financial services
Over 65 percent of Nigerians are outside the financial services envelope, with millions unbanked or under-banked. The combination of COVID-19 disruptions and the widening digital divide in the rural and underserved areas has threatened the attainment of financial inclusion targets in Nigeria.
[South Africa] Founders Factory Africa partners with Small Foundation to champion digitization of agriculture
FFA and Small Foundation will support over 18 agtech startups from across sub-Saharan Africa with their ideas and ventures to address challenges across the entire agricultural value chain.
The UN Food Systems Best Small Business competition: SMEs time to shine
Small businesses around the world that help provide healthy food that is good for the environment. By being selected as one of the 50 winners, you will be receive worldwide media attention as we spotlight your business.
IFAD, EU to invest €26.5 million in Ethiopian rural financial institutions
Micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives who play an important role in creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods in rural areas are also facing the challenges due to the pandemic.
Local app gives real-time advice to smallholder farmers in West Africa
Rural Farmers Hub provides agricultural services to under-served smallholder farmers in Nigeria, some West African countries, and Namibia via its core product, Capture™
AGCO Agriculture Foundation launches Africa agro-entrepreneurship programme
Starting September 1, 2021, the 12-month, part-time program will provide 20 participants with quality agro-industry training, technical and sales skills, leadership development, agro-entrepreneurship management and work experience.
The place of gender responsive research in bolstering African agricultural productivity
The platform was launched through Facebook to connect private sector players in agribusiness within the East African community region.
[Kenya] KAM unveils plan to revive sugar industry
This was during the launch of the KAM Sugar Sub-Sector Strategic Plan, which seeks to guide the industry’s growth, resilience and sustainability.
[Column] Duncan Mochama: Automating financial services easily with Incentro and Agile
As a niche advisory services firm, Financial Access aims to support rural financial institutions through low-cost, high-impact digital solutions.
CABI develops emergency response plan for invasive pests in Ghana
An emergency response plan for managing incursions of Invasive Alien Pests (IAPs) in Ghana has been validated at a stakeholder workshop organized by CABI in collaboration with the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate.
Cropin-AGRA partnership taps into digital technologies to boost Africa’s extension service coverage
CropIn and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) have partnered in a new program that seeks to increase the access to extension services by farmers in Africa.
TASAF and WFP join forces to strengthen social protection programmes in Tanzania
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), a Government Department responsible for safety net programmes, have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen food security for 300,000 vulnerable families.
Kenya organic feed manufacturer Ecodudu begins construction of rearing facility to boost production
The new facility will allow us to significantly increase production of our fertilizer and feed products.
GIZ–GIAE and IITA target job creation and increased maize and cassava productivity in Nigeria
IITA will be implementing the new project in four states—Kaduna and Kano for maize and Ogun and Oyo for the cassava value chain.
[Column] Jacktone Agona: Tapping mineral and vitamin supplements to boost dairy farming in Kenya
In Kenya, dairy farming produces over 3.5 billion litres of milk a year. Kenyans are amongst the highest milk consumers in the developing world.
EIB agrees to €170m backing for new National Development Bank of Ghana
President Akufo Addo of Ghana, Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank and Thomas Östros, Vice President, formally agreed to €170 million EIB backing for the new National Development Bank of Ghana.
[Column] Eric Kimunguyi: Europe taking on the world to lock out agriculture
For Europe has now changed the way it approves pesticides, with its decisions no longer based on science or international testing on human health.
[Burkina Faso] AfDB supports an agricultural project benefiting 60,000 people
By 2025, a more optimal development of the enormous agricultural potential of the area in Burkina Faso will be possible thanks to the implementation of the Léraba Plain Development and Development Project (PAVAL).
Maire Tecnimont starts preliminary work on renewable power-to-fertilizer plant in Kenya
Maire Tecnimont announced that its subsidiaries MET Development, Stamicarbon and NextChem have started work on a renewable power-to-fertilizer plant in Kenya.
[Column] Antonie Delport: What South Africa agriculture needs from global trade
Agriculture is a pivotal industry. It is not only crucial in providing food security worldwide, but it's also the main source of jobs and livelihoods on our continent.
EU contributes €8m to strengthen gains in Desert Locust fight in the Horn of Africa
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), welcomed €8 million contribution from the EU to enable countries in the Horn of Africa maintain a state of readiness in the face of a possible resurgence of Desert Locusts.
CIMMYT releases 12 new maize lines to boost productivity for smallholder farmers
These lines were developed at various breeding locations of CIMMYT’s Global Maize program by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture launches farmers' hubs in Nigeria
The hubs are an integral component of the operational strategy of SFSA in Nigeria to boost crop productivity while facilitating linkages with different markets.
[Kenya] KALRO receives digitization equipment to modernize crop breeding
The CGIAR Excellence in Breeding (EiB) platform recently handed over digitization equipment to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) as part of ongoing efforts to modernize the public agency’s crop breeding programs.
Tanzania, IFAD partner to boost productivity, improve food security and build resilience of small-scale farmers
A $77.4 million project signed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania will help rural households facing the impacts of climate change.
[Column] Patrick Ndegwa: Connectivity is transforming Kenyan agriculture
In 2016, McKinsey reported agriculture was the least digitalised sector in the world. But due to continued innovations in digital technologies, the sector is rapidly evolving.
Value chains project supported by the AfDB helps increase animal production, income of agro-entrepreneurs in Gambia
The Agricultural Value Chains Development Project , implemented since 2016 in The Gambia, has increased animal production and the income of agripreneurs, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB).
ETG Group receives $100 million financing from CDC Group to support farmers in Africa and Asia
The debt commitment will support the growth of ETG’s food and agriculture business, and it will help ETG strengthen food value chains by expanding its logistic networks.
[Interview] Lino G. TOKPO, CEO, GENIEUP Group, Benin
Lino G. Tokpo is the founder and CEO of GENIEUP Group, a young Beninese company which mainly intervenes in supporting local businesses through product distribution.
[Rwanda] Uzima Chicken receives $3 million funding from AgDevCo
The investment will contribute to transformation of the poultry industry in Rwanda and Uganda, providing smallholder farmers with high-quality, highly productive birds that can thrive in the local context.
East Africa Rice Conference to explore building sustainable and inclusive system
Rice sector players in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are set to lead discussions on accelerating progress in rice research & development, inclusive markets & value chains.
Gender norms prevent women from using technology to shell maize in Tanzania
Gender norms prevent women from using technology to shell maize in Tanzania
[Interview] Lino G. TOKPO, PDG, GENIEUP Group, Benin
Lino G.Tokpo est le fondateur et PDG de GENIEUP Group, une jeune entreprise Béninoise qui intervient essentiellement dans l’accompagnement des entreprises locales à travers d’une distribution des produits.
UN launches hunt for startups and enterprises changing the face of food systems
The UN Food Systems Summit has announced a competition to identify the best small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the world who are transforming food systems for a better tomorrow.
For farmers in Africa to recover from COVID-19 they need to bridge the last mile
The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on smallholder farmers in Africa. In some countries, supply chain disruptions have made it hard for farmers to get seeds, fertilizers, and services in time for growing seasons.
Standard Bank partners with MIT on innovative housing and food project in Namibia
Standard Bank Group and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT’s) Center for Bits have partnered on an innovative social upliftment project in Namibia that uses fungal material from mushrooms to develop housing and food products.
IFC, Madagascar partner to develop insurance to protect smallholder farmers
Madagascar's farmers stand to build stronger climate resilience, increase productivity, and more easily access financial services thanks to an agricultural insurance program announced by IFC and the Government of Madagascar.
AGRA partners with Aceli Africa to support African agribusiness SMEs
AGRA has announced a partnership with Aceli Africa to enhance capital flows to SMEs in the agriculture sector and support a financially inclusive agricultural transformation across Africa.
African countries commit to double agricultural productivity, development banks and partners pledge over $17b to increase food security
A coalition of multilateral development banks and development partners has pledged over $17 billion in financing to address rising hunger on the African continent, and to improve food security.
CIMMYT and John Innes Centre announce strategic collaboration on wheat research
Wheat, a cornerstone of the human diet that provides 20% of all calories and protein consumed worldwide, is threatened by climate change-related drought and heat.
[Nigeria] SEFAN/SWEAN stakeholders develop empowerment strategies for women in agribusiness
The training is in line with the fulfillment of the project’s mandate over the next 16 months.
AGRA adopts a policy for environmental and social protection
Through this system, all AGRA supported activities in target countries will be conducted in a manner to avoid, reduce or limit negative environmental, social and climate impacts.
[Column] Tilahun Amede: Smart farming boosts harvests, protects climate
More investment is needed for scaling and increased adoption of such nature-positive systems. Further investments in awareness and empowerment is required for complete transformation of food systems.
Dutch impact investment firm Goodwell Investments launches €50 million fund to support African SMEs
Goodwell V will build a new portfolio of companies across various sectors in Africa: at least a third will be invested in financial inclusion, a quarter in agriculture, and the remainder in mobility and other impact sectors such as education and healthcare.
FAO and BADEA scale-up partnership in support of African countries
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) have formalized their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
UN launches competition targeting startups and enterprises in the food systems
The UN Food Systems Summit has announced a competition to identify the best small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the world who are transforming food systems for a better tomorrow.
AfDB, IFAD and partners redouble efforts to stop hunger in Africa, strengthen food security
The African Development Bank, IFAD, in partnership with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the CGIAR System Organization, pledged to work closely with African leaders to address rising hunger on the continent.
Milken Institute and Motsepe Foundation launch $2 million AgriTech competition for African entrepreneurs
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech is a $2 million global competition for innovative solutions to increase economic value to farmers, from seed to sale.
AGRA and partners launch center to provide support to agriculture sector leaders in Africa
Over the first three-years, the programme will have two cohorts with approximately 80 leaders each, bringing the total number of leaders to a minimum of 160. Initial cohorts will be composed of leaders from eight countries.
SUN Business Network launches in Ethiopia to scale up private sector engagement in nutrition
The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, GAIN has launched the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network, SBN, to support small and medium-sized entrepreneurs involved in Ethiopia’s food sector.
IHC harnesses solar energy to power efficient agricultural production in Egypt
Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company, IHC, is building a pioneering solar-powered irrigation system to drive increased energy-efficient agricultural production in Egypt.
New reports from AfDB, FAO and CGIAR showcase digital agriculture opportunities in Africa
Drones, satellites, geographic information systems, weather stations and advanced analytics are some of the most promising technologies for providing solutions to Africa’s agricultural challenges.
[Column] Thierry Ngoga: Harvesting potential: bolstering government efforts to reach Africa’s farmers
According to the constitutions of many African countries, every citizen has the right to adequate food of acceptable quality.
Twiga Foods East Africa appoints Yebeltal Getachew as CEO
Getachew will lead the commercial growth and expansion of Twiga’s business in Kenya and across the borders into the wider East Africa market, in line with the strategic goals of the company.
TradeHub partners with IITA to support soybean value chain in Nigeria
IITA BIP will leverage a $300,000 co-investment grant from the Trade Hub to accelerate the production of a new variety of highyielding soybean seed for uptake by commercial seed companies in Nigeria.
African Union set to boost intra-African agricultural trade
The African Union (AU) has set out plans to construct industrial parks that will improve the manufacturing of agricultural products as well as the supply chain.
[Nigeria] Federal Government builds capacity of rice farmers
As part of efforts to improve the production capacity of rice nationwide and enhance food security, the Federal Government launched a scheme to train farmers in the rice value chain on improved techniques from farm to market.
[Uganda] Insurtech startup OKO raises $1.2 million to bring innovative insurance to smallholder farmers across Africa
OKO, an Insurtech startup that provides inclusive agricultural insurance to secure farmers’ income across Africa, has closed a Seed investment of $1.2 million.
Dangote sugar invests $700 million to boost production in Nigeria
With a national annual import of over $337million, the management of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc has declared its irrevocable commitment to the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) of the Federal Government to reverse the trend.
Explosive mix of soaring food prices, conflict drives up hunger by a third across West Africa
Millions of families in West and Central Africa are growing more hungry and desperate by the day as food prices skyrocket, stoking a widening hunger emergency in a region engulfed by conflict and the socioeconomic fallout from COVID-19.
UN Central Emergency Response Fund supports anticipatory action in Ethiopia and Somalia
The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is providing $40 million for anticipatory action in Ethiopia and Somalia to ensure that people get help before the situation turns into a devastating food security crisis.
AGRA partners with PAFO to support African smallholder farmer organizations
The Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) have signed a cooperation and partnership agreement to strengthen the capacities of African farmers’ organizations.
Sweden and TechnoServe launch $4 million partnership to support Zambia's food processors
The FED program will support the growth of foundational, small and medium-sized food processing enterprises in Zambia.
IITA promotes agriculture as a business for smallholder farmers in DR Congo
The fair’s general objective was to highlight IITA’s research contribution, with the support of its partners, in favor of smallholder farmers in South Kivu.
ECA partners with African countries to increase investment in agriculture
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is working with African countries to increase investment in infrastructure and agriculture on the continent.
Egypt, South Sudan sign MoU to build integrated crop livestock fish farming
Egypt and South Sudan signed have signed a memorandum of understanding to build an integrated farming of crop, livestock and fish.
Esri partner QSIT implements AI solution for Egyptian agriculture sector
Esri , the global leader in location intelligence, announced the Egyptian partner Quality Standards for Information Technology (QSIT), has successfully implemented the Crop Mapping and Field Boundary Detection solution.
Dangote Fertilizer to train farmers in the South East
Good times are ahead for farmers in the South-East geopolitical zone as Dangote Fertilizer has promised to train them on better ways of farming to obtain bumper yields…
FAO and the African Union Commission launch a guide to help countries enter Africa's new single market
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the African Union Commission's Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development (AUC-DARBE) have launched a guide to boosting intra-African agricultural trade under the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
FMC Corporation announces executive leadership change in EMEA region
FMC Corporation (FMC), the global agricultural sciences company, announced Marc Hullebroeck, FMC vice president and president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, will retire from the company at the end of June 2021.
Climate change taking a toll on Ethiopian coffee, study
Ethiopia may produce less specialty coffee and more rather bland tasting varieties in the future.
QSIT implements Artificial Intelligence solution for Egyptian agriculture sector
To meet challenges such as crop disease, weed management, pest control, and irrigation, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute (AEnRI) sought to increase agricultural output in different regions all over Egypt.
USAID launches $3 million grants to support food security challenge in Nigeria
In launching the Challenge, USAID seeks commercially viable youth-led and mid-stage companies already working in food production, processing, and distribution.
[Kenya] Family Bank partners with USAID to finance agribusiness
Through an initiative dubbed ‘Pay for Results’, the bank targets to provide financing across dairy, horticulture, livestock and energy for agriculture value chains.
IFAD, Islamic Development Bank invest $500 million to address impacts of climate change among rural communities
Using their own resources, IFAD and IsDB will jointly finance priority projects in some of their 57 common member countries over the next five years with a cofinancing target of $500 million.
[Column] Apollos Nwafor: How Africa can rebuild through agriculture
The COVID-19 pandemic has created massive disruption in agri-food systems around the world. It has compounded the food security situation globally.
[Column] Baiju Kantaria: Kenya and UK should do more to cement trade ties
In this context, the prevailing diplomatic tiff between Kenya and UK over travel bans occasioned by concerns over new COVID-19 variants shouldn’t be allowed to escalate any further.
ITFC, Cameroon sign a $750 million agreement to support key sectors
Through this framework agreement, ITFC will also be extending its support to SMEs and private sector through financing facilities to local banks and financial institutions.
USAID launches agriculture consortium to combat threat of infectious diseases to human and animal health
The five-year, $33 million consortium will harness innovation to sustainably improve animal health, strengthen animal agriculture production systems in Asia and Africa and enhance global health security.
ACTESA develops over four million seed labels to grow in-country seed trade
The labels will enable companies engage in regional seed trade for large seed consignments crossing the borders and in-country seed trade in smaller packages.
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COLUMNS.
[Column] Brian Muguto: Is informal retail the real driver of Africa’s e-commerce future?
Africa’s policymakers need to ensure that the momentum behind the African Continental Free-trade Area (AfCFTA) is not lost following the trading bloc’s launch in January ...read full column here
[Column] Duncan Mochama: Automating financial services easily with Incentro and Agile
Together with the teams from Financial Access and Incentro, we started with an alignment session, making sure everyone is on the same page with a shared vision for the product ...read full column here
[Column] Phyllis Wakiaga: Kenya tax policies need an overhaul
Good tax systems and citizen participation in governance ultimately lead to the achievement of economic development goals. A good tax system promotes a country’s competitiveness and productivity, by creating an enabling environment for doing business ...read full column here
INTERVIEWS.
[Interview] Victoria Epelle, Founder, Market Forward, Nigeria
Victoria Epelle founded Market Forward about a year ago and the company has been a fully operational entity since 2020. Located in the commercial hub of Lagos, Nigeria, Market Forward has executed projects both local and international and is making a name for itself in the field of Consulting and Project Management ...read full interview here
[Interview] Mahesh Doorgakant, Chairman, Mauritius Finance
The Chairperson of Mauritius Finance, Mahesh Doorgakant, shares his views on the future of the financial sector on the island and how Mauritius Finance has an integral role to play in supporting innovation, promotion and training to propel the jurisdiction to even greater heights ...read full interview here
[Interview] Nick Treurnicht, Customer Engineer for Google Workspace, DigiCloud Africa, South Africa
Nick Treurnicht is the Customer Engineer for Google Workspace at DigiCloud Africa, Africa's Google Cloud Brokerage, specialising in Google Cloud products - including Google Cloud Platform, G Suite, Google Maps and Chrome ...read full interview herew here