Access to finance: How to find and identify the right funding source for your agri-project

(The recording and supporting materials are available here: COLEAD Access to Finance webinars)

As part of its structured investment-oriented support, COLEAD’s Access to Finance Department held, as part of the FFM+ programme, a webinar on 25 February entitled “ Selecting the right funding options for your agri-project“. This session is the third in a four-part webinar series designed to build the capacity of project leaders to identify, select and approach the most appropriate sources of funding for their activities.

Profile of the targeted project leaders

This webinar was specifically designed for project leaders who have reached step 3 of the COLEAD Investment Readiness Pathway. This means that participants were expected to

• Have a valid business model (generating revenue for at least one year)
• Have a robust business plan (at least 10 pages detailing their growth strategy)
• Have a structured financial plan with realistic forecasts aligned to the business plan.

For those not yet at this stage, previous webinars and training materials will remain available online to support their progress.

Key Takeaways & Impact

The webinar provided concrete answers to two key questions:

• What are the key factors to consider when choosing an appropriate funding source?
• What practical tips can help entrepreneurs access external finance more effectively?

The webinar attracted 116 live participants from 38 countries, with strong representation from Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ghana. Nearly 400 people registered to access the recording and materials afterwards, demonstrating the growing need for capacity building in this critical area for agricultural entrepreneurs.

What’s Next?

“Preparing to engage with funders” webinar in the series will take place on 15 April 2025 and will focus on “Successfully engaging sources of funding for your agri-Project”. A second series of webinars is also planned for later this year, covering the steps to take after submitting a funding application.

New training tools achieved in collaboration with COLEAD’s training department, related to the topic of the webinars are now available:

• Business Plan (collective training, available in English and in French)
• Financial plan (self-study course, available in English)

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.