‘Market access and trade facilitation’ at the AU-EU Ministerial Conference: call to strengthen collaboration between the private sector, decision-makers, researchers and donors
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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COLEAD participated through the FFM+ programme at the high-level thematic session on market access and trade facilitation, organised as part of the 6th African Union–European Union Ministerial Conference on Agriculture, entitled ‘A sustainable future for agri-food systems’, held in Rome on 10 October. The session, opened by French Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard, brought together a prestigious panel composed of Estherine Fotabong (AUDA-NEPAD), Agata Gałińska (DG AGRI, European Commission), Alice O’Donovan (CELCAA) and Isolina Boto (COLEAD), moderated by Steven Were… +Gillian Goddard (Trinidad & Tobago), co-founder of the Alliance of Rural Communities
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
An activist, systems thinker, and organic food pioneer, Gillian has spent over three decades cultivating not just crops, but community. As co-founder of the Alliance of Rural Communities, she has turned her passion for food justice into a bold movement spanning the Caribbean, Africa, and North America, with a single vision: to restore power, pride, and prosperity to rural communities. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Gillian left for the United States at 17, where she built on her gardening experiences… +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.… +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… +AGRINFO is supporting Morocco in anticipating new EU regulations
- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of its EU-funded AGRINFO programme, COLEAD participated in a workshop organised by Morocco FoodEx on “The new regulatory context for exports of processed agri-food products and seafood from Morocco to the EU” on 24–25 June 2025 in Marrakech. Around 130 participants attended the event, including export companies, government agencies, and professional organisations. The aim was to improve understanding of upcoming EU legislative changes and safeguard the competitiveness of Moroccan exports. Over three half-day sessions, COLEAD expert Ingrid Morvan… +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… +