Supporting agribusinesses in developing bankable business plans: the case of Produhort in Malawi

As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD supports agribusinesses in developing bankable business plans, essential tools for growth and long-term sustainability.
In this context, a post-training support mission was conducted with Produhort Investments Ltd, a horticultural enterprise based in Lilongwe (Malawi). As a participant in the “Develop a Business Plan for Your Agribusiness” training, Produhort received tailored coaching to finalise and strengthen its 2025–2030 business plan.

A business plan to guide growth

The mission’s objective was clear: to turn a draft business plan into an operational and bankable tool, aligned with the company’s strategy, capacity, and ambitions. The COLEAD expert worked closely with Produhort’s management team to review financial projections, refine performance indicators, and adjust development priorities. The final business plan now includes clear growth objectives, measurable performance indicators, and realistic financial projections for the next five years. It reflects Produhort’s strategic vision, notably the expansion of cultivated land and diversification into high-value horticultural products.

A strategic tool for decision-making

Beyond access to finance, Produhort now views its business plan as an internal roadmap, a living document that guides operational, production, and sales decisions.
This sense of ownership strengthens the company’s autonomy and its ability to plan growth in a structured and realistic manner.

Lessons for future support

The experience highlights the importance of ensuring a smooth transition between collective training and individual coaching, to guarantee that key concepts are well understood and adapted to each enterprise’s maturity level. It also underlines that a business plan should remain a living, evolving tool, regularly updated by the beneficiaries themselves rather than a static document produced by external experts. Through such targeted support, COLEAD helps strengthen the strategic planning and management capacities of agribusinesses – an essential step towards improved access to finance, greater economic resilience, and a sustainable impact on regional horticultural value chains.

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.