• New DeSIRA LIFT reports to promote innovation and skills for transforming African food systems

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    The DeSIRA LIFT programme has recently published several reports that highlight key initiatives aimed at strengthening agricultural innovation and inclusion in Africa. ‘Women and Innovation’: Fifteen case studies illustrate the central role of women in transforming agri-food systems, whether as farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, or community leaders. Their innovations foster sustainable livelihoods, community resilience, and responsible natural resource management.   From research to business: In collaboration with the RUFORUM network, a study analysed how universities in countries such as Cameroon, Senegal,… +
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  • COLEAD eLearning: new training pathways to strengthen the skills of 36,000 platform users

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    COLEAD’s eLearning platform continues to grow as part of the FFM+ programme, offering new self-paced training pathways for professionals in the agri-food sector. Since 2024, four additional pathways comprising five courses have been added to the training offer. Business plan (available in English and French since June 2024) Financial planning (available in English since June 2024 and in French by the end of 2025); Fruit and vegetable preservation, Processing and Packaging (already available in French and due to be available… +
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  • Derrick Sarfo turns plastic into sustainable opportunities

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    In Ghana, a young entrepreneur is proving that a committed vision can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for inclusive development. Derrick Sarfo, founder and director of DercolBags Packaging Ltd., has made the fight against plastic pollution a driver of social and economic innovation. His entrepreneurial journey stems from a tragedy. In 2015, the devastating floods in Accra, worsened by plastic waste clogging drains, left a deep mark on Derrick and pushed him to act. Three years later, he founded DercolBags,… +
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  • Guinea: The AGRIECO Project kick-starts the agroecological transition of local value chains

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    In the first half of 2025, the Agriéco project, which is funded by Enabel, took decisive steps to lay the foundations for the agroecological transition in Guinea. Particular focus was given to the pineapple, potato and vegetable value chains. Local dynamics were structured. Thirteen agricultural cluster initiatives were identified in the Kindia and Mamou regions. Six of these clusters have been selected as priorities and will receive enhanced support. In partnership with ICRA, the recruitment of cluster coaches is underway… +
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  • Senegal: modernising the phytosanitary system to boost horticultural competitiveness

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    In the first half of 2025, the STDF/PG/946 project reached a key milestone in the modernisation of Senegal’s phytosanitary system, which is crucial for strengthening the competitiveness of horticultural exports. Major legal reforms A decree and three implementing orders covering surveillance and control, import and export inspections, and fee schedules were validated in May 2025. These new texts replaced legislation dating back to 1960, aligning the framework with international standards and including specific provisions to address the challenges faced by… +
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  • Uganda: opening new market opportunities for horticultural exporters

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    In collaboration with CABI, COLEAD has just completed a series of interactive and insightful sessions as part of the EU-funded SPS Uganda project. The initiative aims to strengthen the country’s sanitary and phytosanitary system, as well as supporting horticultural businesses in accessing international markets, particularly in Europe. Understanding market access requirements The first module helped participants to grasp the differences between local, regional and international markets, and the related opportunities and challenges. Discussions focused on the relevant regulations, commercial and… +
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  • Rwanda : study on the potential of the organic fruit and vegetable local market

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    As part of the FFM+ programme, COLEAD recently published a groundbreaking study on the potential of the domestic market for organic fruit and vegetables in Rwanda. The report assesses the prospects for developing the organic sector in Rwanda, focusing particularly on the feasibility of a participatory guarantee system that would offer new certification options tailored to small-scale producers. An emerging market. The study analyses consumer and hospitality sector demand, current market conditions, and the challenges to be overcome to promote… +
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  • Tanzania: meeting with 2,000 avocado value chain actors, a promising sector for smallholders

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    As part of the FFM+ programme, COLEAD took part in a Southern Highlands Development Alliance (SHDA)-organised workshop dedicated to the avocado sector in Njombe, Tanzania. Over 2,000 value chain stakeholders, including producers, exporters, suppliers of inputs, transporters, and farmers’ associations from the Njombe, Iringa, Ruvuma, and Songwe regions, came together to discuss the future of this thriving sector. A promising sector for smallholders. With over 25,000 small-scale producers organised within SHDA groups, the Southern Highlands are emerging as a promising… +
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  • West Africa: new initiatives launched with AFD to support agripreneurs in seven countries

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    In April 2025, COLEAD secured new funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) to provide long-term support to the horticultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa. This three-year project builds on the Fit for Market programmes and broadly aims to reduce poverty and improve food and nutrition security. The objective is to support agripreneurs in implementing sustainable practices. The initiative targets smallholders, farmers’ groups and SMEs, aiming to maintain and strengthen their access to national, regional and international horticultural markets. The focus… +
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  • Why MSMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural sector struggle to access finance: key blocking factors

    • 09/09/2025
    • Posted by: Sandra Borma
    • Category: News
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    Agriculture plays a critical role in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)— the sector employs nearly half of the workforce[1] and drives food security, rural development, and poverty reduction. At the heart of this sector are agricultural micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (agri-MSMEs)—the backbone of SSA’s rural economy. However, despite their importance, agri-MSMEs face a persistent barrier: access to finance. With three out of four agri-MSMEs unable to secure bank loans[2], these enterprises struggle to grow, innovate, and contribute to the region’s sustainable… +
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