Empowering women-led businesses – Spotlight on marketing and branding. Insights from three women entrepreneurs from Nigeria, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago
- 06/05/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
No CommentsAs part of UN Women and COLEAD’s South-South Series – Empowering and Growing Women-led Businesses – a special session on effective marketing and branding strategies was held on 9 April 2025. This series of virtual meetings aims to strengthen women’s entrepreneurial capacities through experience sharing, skills development, market access and networking. Inspiring entrepreneurs and tangible experiences Three businesswomen – from Nigeria, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago – shared their innovative approaches to building strong brands, using digital tools and… +COLEAD’s gender strategy plan in action: example of a training of trainers course to strengthen local capacities
- 06/05/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Gender equality is central to sustainable development and a key pillar of COLEAD’s mission. Particularly in the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries where the organisation works through the FFM+ programme, women play a crucial role in agriculture and the rural economy. However, they face many barriers to their economic participation. COLEAD is committed to removing these barriers and promoting women’s economic empowerment as a lever for inclusive and sustainable growth. A gender mainstreaming strategy at all levels COLEAD’s Gender Action… +Moroccan International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) 2025: COLEAD mobilised to provide insights on EU regulatory developments and strengthen ties with African and European agri-food professionals
- 06/05/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
From 22 to 25 April 2025, COLEAD took part—for the second consecutive year—in the Moroccan International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) in Meknes, at the invitation of the European Union Delegation (EUD). This mission aimed to promote the AGRINFO programme, funded by the EU, along with digital resources developed by COLEAD through the Fit for Market Plus (FFM+) programme. Explaining regulatory changes in the European Union Ingrid Morvan, expert from COLEAD’s Regulations and Standards Department, led two sessions at SIAM titled “Exporting… +New partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) : increased support for a more equitable, secure and sustainable horticultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD is pleased to announce new funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) to provide sustainable support to the horticultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa. This three-year project builds on the efforts of previous phases of the Fit for Market programme and aims to reduce poverty while improving food and nutrition security in the region. Supporting agripreneurs The specific objective of the project is to support smallholder farmers, farmer groups and small and medium enterprises to maintain and improve their access… +Patricia Zoundi Yao, entrepreneur and African champion of sustainable development, is an inspiration to us. What about you?
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Patricia Zoundi Yao is a social entrepreneur, impact leader, and dedicated advocate for rural Africa. She is committed to fostering sustainable agriculture, a more inclusive economy, and the promotion of local value chains. At the crossroads of agriculture, technology, and social development Patricia Zoundi Yao is not just any entrepreneur. She embodies a new generation of changemakers in Africa, bridging the worlds of agribusiness, inclusive technology, and the empowerment of rural women. She is the founder of Canaan Land, an… +Anna Seck – From executive assistance to responsible entrepreneurship: a journey that inspires. What about you?
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Mrs Anna Seck, based in Senegal, embodies a remarkable journey of determination, resilience and commitment to excellence. Married and the mother of three, her academic career was interrupted by marriage and her first pregnancy in her final year of secondary school. A brilliant student, she was unable to pursue higher university studies – a regret that lingers as she still aspires to one day to resume an academic path, a symbol of personal achievement. A non-linear journey, guided by willpower… +AGRINFO: Improved tools to track EU regulations and strategic outreach to Latin America
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
AGRINFO continues to keep its network informed of new and upcoming changes to EU Regulations. Use of the service is growing, and the clear and accessible explanations about new rules are receiving very positive feedback. Keeping up with new Regulations remains challenging for exporting countries, with large numbers of rule changes affecting all agri-food sectors, and covering multiple areas of law. Improvement of the AGRINFO.EU website In response to feedback from users, several improvements to the AGRINFO website were made.… +A year of action to support agricultural cooperatives/ companies in Africa: COLEAD and the Shared Interest Foundation reflect on a promising partnership
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Between February 2024 and February 2025, COLEAD, in partnership with the Shared Interest Foundation (SIF), designed and implemented a capacity building programme for eight selected agricultural cooperatives / companies (coffee, cocoa, vegetables) in Rwanda, Uganda and Côte d’Ivoire. A four-part support approach The support pathway was structured around four key actions, tailored to the needs of each cooperative following an initial diagnostic assessment: Organisational and financial diagnostics : Each cooperative benefited from an analysis of its governance and financial management… +Launch of the PASA-Côte d’Ivoire programme: A strong commitment to food safety and sustainable development in the Ivorian agricultural sector
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The Food Safety Support Programme for the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (PASA-Côte d’Ivoire) is funded by the European Union under the Support Programme for Sustainable Forestry and Agri-Food Systems (PASSAD). It is part of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027 for Côte d’Ivoire and also supports the objectives of the second phase of the National Agricultural Investment Programme (PNIA 2). The European Union Delegation (EUD) in Côte d’Ivoire has entrusted COLEAD with the implementation of this programme. PASA Côte d’Ivoire… +Africa : sustainability of agribusiness SMEs ; COLEAD’s Self-Assessment System shows progress achieved over 5 years – the case of Kenya
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of its holistic approach to sustainability, COLEAD has developed a Sustainability Self-Assessment System (SAS) over the past ten years and through the FFM programmes. This system is designed to help agricultural stakeholders – particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives and producer groups – analyse their practices, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and make progress towards more responsible and competitive agriculture. The SAS is based on four key objectives: To create a dynamic of continuous improvement… +