Fatou Cissoko (Guinea): “Our work goes beyond products: it’s about people.”
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
No Comments
Fatou Titine Cissoko is the founder and managing director of Jedengui (EFK), a Guinean agri-food company that transforms local agricultural surplus into high-quality natural products. She is a leading figure in women’s entrepreneurship in West Africa, committed to empowering women, supporting small-scale producers and reducing post-harvest losses. Originally from Kindia, Fatou witnessed over 40% of fruit production being wasted due to a lack of markets. Hailing from a farming background, she established EFK in 2014 to reduce waste and enhance… +Participatory development of the COLEAD 2030 strategy: initial results and trends from the public consultation launched in June
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The consultation process, which officially began in June 2025, aimes to contribute to the development of the COLEAD 2030 strategy. Close to 300 contributions have been registered so far. These responses come from members, technical and financial partners, and the COLEAD team. This wide-ranging survey reveals some valuable initial findings, which we share with you here. Please note that there is still time to respond to the questionnaire (and at 2030@colead.link) as the consultation closes at the end of July.… +COLEAD Board and General Assembly: 2024 annual report approved, on course for 2030!
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
On 25 June, COLEAD held its Board of Directors and General Assembly in a hybrid format, bringing together almost 200 members who joined the event online through national members’ meetings. Around twenty countries were represented. This level of participation highlights the network’s increasing vitality and the value placed on direct dialogue between members, teams, and partners. During the meeting, members approved the 2024 annual report and financial accounts. The meeting also provided an opportunity to review progress towards the five… +Development of an internal training system – example of Dobi AgriCo Ltd., a committed partner for sustainable agri-food in Nigeria
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Founded in 2013 and located near Abuja, Dobi AgriCo Ltd is a Nigerian agri-food company that farms 200 hectares (100 of which are in active production) to grow vegetables in open fields and greenhouses for the local market. As a supplier to retail chains such as Shoprite and Spar, the company now aims to break into the export market. As part of the L.A.T. Cleveson Group, Dobi AgriCo has received substantial investment to develop a processing centre and dedicated training… +The latest news from the STDF/PG/946 programme: strengthening phytosanitary capacities in Senegal to boost horticultural exports
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The STDF/PG/946 programme is currently being implemented in Senegal by COLEAD. It aims to strengthen the country’s phytosanitary capacities to promote fruit and vegetable exports and contribute to national food security. The project is structured around four pillars: revision of the legislative framework; improvement of operational processes; capacity building for stakeholders; and communication dynamics. It also incorporates a cross-cutting gender analysis to ensure greater inclusion. Key progress to date include among other : Phytosanitary risk analysis (PRA): Training of stakeholders… +Côte d’Ivoire – SODIPEX SA strengthens its internal audit capacity: an example of COLEAD post-training support
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
‘Thanks to your contribution, the coaching took place under optimal conditions, promoting learning and exchange between participants,‘ says the SODIPEX team. As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD continues to provide post-training support to ensure that the acquired skills are firmly established. In Côte d’Ivoire, SODIPEX SA received bespoke support following a group session on the principles of internal auditing. This is just one example of the operational support provided to horticultural enterprises. Coaching in real-life… +Strengthening the financial resilience of professional organisations – Example of the UNCPM in Mali
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Mali’s leading agricultural umbrella organisation, the Union Nationale des Coopératives de Planteurs et Maraîchers du Mali (UNCPM), was established in 1985 to act as a liaison between the government and horticultural producers. Consisting of 17 horticultural unions and 150 cooperatives, the UNCPM now has over 15,000 producer members nationwide. As part of its development, the UNCPM has created a strategic plan to clarify and prioritise the services offered to its members. These include promoting agroecology, providing representation and building technical… +Tomato trials in northern Nigeria: encouraging early results against heat stress and Tuta absoluta
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Between February and July 2025, COLEAD conducted field trials in four major tomato production zones in Kano State, Nigeria, as part of the FFM+ programme. COLEAD collaborated with Bayero University Kano (BUK) and the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) on this project. The aim of this research was to identify integrated solutions to two major challenges: heat stress, which is exacerbated by climate change, and infestations of Tuta absoluta, a highly destructive pest. Solutions tested in the field: The teams… +Research & innovation: new guides for sustainable production available in our e-library
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The Research and Innovation Brokerage Department (R&I) at COLEAD plays a key role in identifying, consolidating and disseminating technical knowledge for the benefit of agri-food sectors. In collaboration with the Information and Communication Department, it develops practical tools to support stakeholders in the sector towards more sustainable and competitive practices. In this context, these two departments work together to continuously review, update and enrich our technical guides so that they best meet the specific needs of value chains. The latest… +A new version of Agrinnovators.org is now available, providing a global hub for entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
COLEAD is pleased to announce the new version of Agrinnovators.org. This new version has been developed as part of the FFM+ programme, in collaboration with PAFO, the OECD, IICA, PFO and UN Women. While the platform was previously focused mainly on African entrepreneurs, it is now open to all regions of the world, strengthening our commitment to South-South cooperation and knowledge sharing. Agrinnovators.org is a dynamic platform that connects entrepreneurs, companies, and experts to accelerate the development of sustainable solutions… +