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… +Tanzania: meeting with 2,000 avocado value chain actors, a promising sector for smallholders
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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… +West Africa: new initiatives launched with AFD to support agripreneurs in seven countries
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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… +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
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… +Ethiopia: Chives company invests in sustainable waste management
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Founded in Menagesha in 2004, around 15 km west of Addis Ababa, Jordan River Herbs PLC Ethiopia has become a leading producer and exporter of fresh and processed chives. Located at a high altitude, the farm benefits from optimal growing conditions with minimal disease, virus and pest pressure. Cultivating 13 hectares under controlled conditions, the company employs 595 people, most of whom are women, and holds key certifications including GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS, SMETA, LEAF, Tesco and M&S. Its products are exported… +Malawi: From training to action to strengthen quality and traceability
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit For Market Plus programme (FFM+), two Malawian horticultural companies, Thanthwe Enterprises in Lilongwe and Mtengo wa Mizu in Salima, received post-training support in food safety, quality management, and traceability. This followed a collective training session on the principles of quality and traceability management systems for food safety. The training enabled an assessment of existing systems, including field visits and discussions with management teams, and the formulation of practical, tailored recommendations. Both companies now have concrete… +Senegal: OFRUTTI strengthens its quality and traceability system
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD supported the Senegalese company OFRUTTI, specialised in dried mango processing, in setting up concrete tools to structure its quality and traceability management system. This post-training support followed a collective session on the principles of quality and traceability management for food safety. The goal: to turn the knowledge gained into operational practices tailored to the company. Tangible results Thanks to strong commitment from the management team, several key achievements were… +Uganda: United Pearl Exporters strengthens HACCP compliance
- 09/09/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Within the framework of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD provided targeted technical assistance to United Pearl Exporters Ltd (UPEL), a Ugandan exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables (chillies, okra, bananas, green beans…) to the European Union and the United Kingdom. After participating in a COLEAD collective training on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) in 2024, UPEL received post-training support to improve its food safety systems and progress towards certification. Tangible progress The support enabled: A… +Fatou Cissoko (Guinea): “Our work goes beyond products: it’s about people.”
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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.… +