Engaging with CSAF investors: understanding fruit and vegetable value chains through the example of avocado in East Africa

On 26 March 2026, COLEAD organised, under the FFM+ programme, a 1.5-hour technical webinar in collaboration with the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF), the leading network of impact investors financing agri-SMEs.

Entitled “demystifying fruit & vegetable value chains for impact investors”, the session used the avocado value chain in East Africa to provide a concrete illustration of sector realities. The objective was to explain the specific risks associated with fruit and vegetable value chains, translate technical challenges into investment-relevant insights, and demonstrate how COLEAD can support investors in mitigating these risks.

The session mobilised internal expertise, particularly from the Access to Finance, Market Insights and Technical Assistance teams, to deliver a structured and practical approach.

The webinar brought together 35 participants from CSAF member organisations, including impact investors and financial institutions. Engagement was strong throughout the session, with very positive feedback on the clarity and relevance of the content.

This initiative also showcased a new way of structuring and sharing COLEAD’s expertise, by anchoring it in a specific value chain and directly linking it to investment decision-making. It contributes to broadening COLEAD’s positioning beyond its recognised role in food quality and safety, towards areas such as value chain analysis, risk assessment and management, market intelligence, and operational business support.

Several opportunities for collaboration with investors have already emerged following the webinar.

Next steps will focus on initiating pilot actions with CSAF members and structuring replicable collaboration mechanisms with other financing stakeholders.

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.