As part of the ENABEL Guinea-funded programme, ‘Strengthening the resilience of Guinean populations to climate, food and economic shocks through sustainable agricultural development’, COLEAD carried out its first field mission dedicated to the agroecological transition in the Mamou and Kindia regions.
A foundational mission to support local value chains
The project, which was launched in 2025, aims to improve the incomes of stakeholders in the potato, pineapple and vegetable farming value chains in a sustainable way, with a particular… +
Requirements regarding pesticide use under the new EU Organic Regulation
The new Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848 entered into application in January 2021 in the European Union (EU). For Third Countries, the initiation of certificate issuance under the new compliance regime, signifying the conclusion of the equivalence regime started in January this year.
Some of the new requirements, including rules on the use of plant protection products, have implications for third countries. The list of plant protection products permitted for use… +
Dakar, May 2025 – As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD has provided post-training support to O’FRUTTI, a young Senegalese company specialising in mango processing. This intervention aims to structure the company’s quality and traceability management system, building on the knowledge acquired during a recent collective training on food safety principles.
A young and ambitious company with market reach
Founded in 2022, O’FRUTTI has quickly positioned itself on the European and local markets by focusing… +
As part of its commitment to the conservation of biodiversity in tropical agricultural systems, COLEAD supports its partners in integrating environmentally sound practices into their production models. In Côte d’Ivoire, this commitment is being realised through a collaboration with the Cooperative of Mango and Cashew of Korhogo (COMAKO) to develop a Wildlife-Flora-Landscape Integrated Management Plan (IMP) under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme.
Already certified by GLOBAL G.A.P., GRASP, SMETA and Rainforest Alliance, COMAKO is now strengthening its alignment… +
As part of the FFM+ programme, COLEAD recently conducted a field mission to provide technical support to the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) in assessing avocado orchard management practices. Although this type of support is usually offered to companies, this initiative was exceptional in that it engaged a producer organisation and used its members’ farms as demonstration plots — an innovative and effective approach.
The mission’s primary objective was to evaluate the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and provide… +
As part of the STDF/PG/946 project, COLEAD collaborated with the Senegalese Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Protection Directorate (DPV) to organise a workshop on 6–7 May, focusing on revising existing phytosanitary legislation.
A structured approach was adopted to align with international standards. The approach led by COLEAD and its partners aims to: conduct an in-depth analysis of the current laws and regulations governing phytosanitary control to ensure alignment with regional and international standards signed by Senegal, such as the International… +
COLEAD’s Regulations and Standards Department recently hosted a briefing on Thursday 24 April on recent regulatory changes in the European Union that may affect the export of fruit, vegetables and flowers from ACP countries.
An important tool for anticipating future challenges
Covering the period January-March 2025, the Digest summarises new EU regulations and policy updates that are likely to affect the agri-food value chain. It is a valuable resource for all stakeholders involved in supporting the ACP horticultural sector, particularly… +
In April 2025, COLEAD organised a workshop in Nairobi for the Minor Crops Technical Working Group (MCTWG), which is coordinated by the Kenyan National Horticulture Standing Committee (NHSC). The group brings together competent authorities, the crop protection industry, producer organisations, and business membership organisations to facilitate the registration of plant protection products (PPPs) for minor crops, thereby enhancing their availability.
Tangible progress in PPP registration
With support from CABI, the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) presented the group’s progress… +
This year’s Forum represents a unique opportunity for businesses committed to sustainable transition. Organised in collaboration with the European Union and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), this flagship event aims to stimulate investment in the sectors that will shape the future of the Caribbean economy and beyond.
Official website: caribbeaninvestmentforum.com
An initiative supported by the European Union and COLEAD.
As a strategic partner for sustainable development in the region, the European Union is coordinating the organisation of this… +
To mark the 6th edition of the Salon de l’Agriculture et des Ressources Animales (SARA) in Abidjan, the COLEAD team conducted a mission to Côte d’Ivoire from 26 to 30 May 2025.
During this strategic week, the COLEAD team was able to: Host a dedicated stand in the European Union pavilion to showcase the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+), AGRINFO and PASA-Côte d’Ivoire programmes implemented by COLEAD.
Meet with Ivorian stakeholders to lay the groundwork for the operational launch of… +
COLEAD participated in the third edition of the Ghana-EU Business Forum, which took place on 20 and 21 May in Accra. Organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Ghana in partnership with the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and Foreign Affairs, as well as several key institutions including the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), EU Member State embassies, EuroCham, the Ghana Agribusiness Chamber, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and… +
Changes to EU and GB pesticide maximum residue levels
COLEAD’s monitoring of pesticide regulations covers maximum residue limit (MRL) changes in both the EU and Great Britain (GB). Note that EU MRLs still apply in Northern Ireland (GB covers only England, Scotland, and Wales). During the period January-March 2025, we have been highlighting significant changes to EU MRLs that affect 8 active substances, 7 of which are important for ACP export horticulture. During this same period, 20 changes to GB… +
For over 50 years, COLEAD has been working to strengthen sustainable, inclusive and competitive agricultural systems. In 2025, we open a new chapter in our collective history: the development of our COLEAD 2030 strategy.
This process will not take place in isolation. On the contrary, it is based on a strong conviction: COLEAD’s future and the future impact of its action will be built with those who bring it to life – team, members, partners, partner-beneficiaries, institutions, practitioners, donors, experts,… +
Rachel Renie is a visionary entrepreneur and a leading force in Trinidad and Tobago’s agri-food sector. As the co-founder and Managing Director of D’Market Movers Ltd, Rachel has redefined how food is sourced, sold, and consumed in the Caribbean. Her bold vision, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, has not only transformed food distribution in her country but also laid the foundation for empowering women and local communities through innovation and sustainable practices.
D’Market Movers: bridging farmers and families
In 2009,… +
Chigozie Bashua is the founder and CEO of The Nut Place, a Nigerian food tech company redefining how indigenous nuts can address health challenges, food insecurity, and gender inequality. With over 14 years of experience in information technology and business strategy, and a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chigozie has made a remarkable transition from tech to agribusiness, blending analytical expertise with a strong commitment to healthy living, local sourcing, and sustainable impact.
From engineer to food… +
In the face of a series of health, climate, economic and geopolitical crises, the resilience of the horticulture sector in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries is a strategic priority. The Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD with funding from the European Union and the OACPS, has been a driving force for change for three years, combining technical support, systemic action and innovation in the field. Designed from the outset to respond to post-COVID disruptions, FFM+ has… +
The Sanidad e Innovación Agropecuaria (SIA) project, implemented by COLEAD on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, reached an important milestone in April 2025 with the organisation of the first workshop dedicated to the development of the National Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Policy and Strategic Guidelines.
This ambitious project, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through loan IDB 4909/OC-DR, began in May 2024. It aims to strengthen the country’s institutional and technical capacities around the… +
In December 2024, COLEAD signed a new contract with ENABEL, the Belgian development agency, to contribute to the implementation of Intervention 1 of the project “Strengthening the resilience of the Guinean population to climate, food and economic shocks through sustainable agricultural development”.
In partnership with ICRA, COLEAD is implementing a specific action entitled ‘Supporting the agro-ecological transition of the pineapple, potato and vegetable value chains in Guinea’. The aim of this action is to promote the adoption of concrete agro-ecological… +
COLEAD’s STDF/PG/946 project in Senegal has taken a decisive step with the completion of a strategic mission to analyse and revise the national plant health legislation. This milestone marks the culmination of extensive work to strengthen the regulatory framework in line with Senegal’s regional and international commitments and to better protect the local horticultural sector.
A project to promote health and trade competitiveness
The STDF Senegal project, funded by the Standards and Trade Development Fund (STDF), aims to strengthen the… +
In many countries, COLEAD’s Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme supports farmers and agricultural organisations in their efforts to adopt sustainable practices and achieve international certification.
The recent experience of the KLO Mango Farmers & Processors Association (Klomangfpa) in Ghana is a concrete example of the impact of this support.
Klomangfpa successfully renews its GLOBALG.A.P. certification
This achievement is the result of an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to high standards of sustainable horticultural production.
As part of… +
This article is based on observations and meetings made by the COLEAD team in Dubai during the show last February. The mission has been implemented through the Fit For Market Plus programme.
A world-class show, but with a still limited African presence
Gulfood is the largest food exhibition in the Middle East, attracting more than 5,500 exhibitors from around 130 countries. The last edition took place in Dubai in February 2025. Every year it brings together companies from all over… +
At COLEAD, partnership is not an option: it is a cornerstone of our work and our impact. It shapes our approach, guides our interventions and drives a strategy for systemic change. This strong choice reflects a commitment to shared governance, equitable cooperation and a shared vision of sustainable development, and is an essential lever for maximising the impact of our actions on the ground, particularly in the area of vocational training.
Kenya and Tanzania: a mission to strengthen skills and… +
As 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… +
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… +