Towards better protection against unfair trading practices: Call on the European Parliament to regulate unfair trading practices and protect producers in third countries
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
No Comments
On 15 June, the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) adopted a significant report aimed at strengthening the cooperation of enforcement authorities responsible for implementing the European directive on unfair trading practices (UTPs) within the agri-food supply chain. COLEAD and the Fair-Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO) welcome this progress, which marks a decisive step towards closing existing gaps and ensuring that every farmer and small agri-food supplier, whether in the EU or not, can benefit from better protection… +COLEAD eLearning: new training pathways to strengthen the skills of 36,000 platform users
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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… +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… +Regulations and standards: upcoming European Union rules on food contamination with mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH)
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In June, three sessions were organised to inform agri-food chain stakeholders and competent authorities about new EU rules on MOH in food, which are expected to come into force in 2027. To facilitate participation by AGRINFO programme* partner countries across geographical regions, webinars were held for three different time zones with interpretation in French, Spanish and Portuguese. The webinars attracted considerable interest, with a total of 794 people registering and more than 520 taking part in the three sessions. Presentations… +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… +A look back at Gulfood 2025: a world-class exhibition offering a wealth of opportunities, particularly for the still under-represented countries of sub-Saharan Africa
- 06/05/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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… +Patricia Zoundi Yao, entrepreneur and African champion of sustainable development, is an inspiration to us. What about you?
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Patricia Zoundi Yao is a social entrepreneur, impact leader, and dedicated advocate for rural Africa. She is committed to fostering sustainable agriculture, a more inclusive economy, and the promotion of local value chains. At the crossroads of agriculture, technology, and social development Patricia Zoundi Yao is not just any entrepreneur. She embodies a new generation of changemakers in Africa, bridging the worlds of agribusiness, inclusive technology, and the empowerment of rural women. She is the founder of Canaan Land, an… +Caribbean Agrifood Business – Spotlight on session #16 of the IICA COLEAD series: cross-border value chains
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
A strategic collaboration for Caribbean agriculture Since June 2021, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and COLEAD have joined forces through the FFM+ programme in the Caribbean Agrifood Business Series. This initiative highlights the innovations and successes of farmer-led agribusinesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Caribbean region. The series is driven by a common vision: to build a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive Caribbean agricultural sector. It promotes business models that are economically viable, environmentally… +Ethiopia: MAHEBER* (Mobilizing Actors in Horticulture for Entrepreneurship and Boosting Ethiopian Resilience), a new programme entrusted to COLEAD by the European Union – a strategic initiative fully aligned with the Global Gateway priorities
- 08/04/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
(*MAHEBER in Amharic means association, union, group gathered for a common purpose) COLEAD has been selected by the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia to lead an ambitious five-year programme to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability of the country’s horticulture value chains. Entitled ‘Enhancing the Competitiveness of Ethiopia’s Horticulture Sector’, this initiative is fully aligned with the Global Gateway priorities and contributes to the objectives of the EU Action Plan for the Development of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Ethiopia… +