Strengthening dialogue with African embassies on EU regulations: highlighting upcoming challenges for agri-food exports
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
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As part of the AGRINFO programme, COLEAD organised a dynamic exchange with African embassies in Brussels on 17 March 2026 on key regulatory issues affecting the agri-food trade “Update on Key EU Regulations for African Agri-food Exports”. AGRINFO aims to support low- and middle-income countries, in anticipating and preparing for all changes to EU rules. The event, bringing together 12 African embassies, gave in-depth insights into policy areas such as pesticide residues, mineral oil hydrocarbons, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence… +CPM-20 in Rome: contributing to global phytosanitary discussions
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
From 9 to 13 March 2026, COLEAD participated in the 20th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), held at FAO headquarters in Rome. The event brought together the global phytosanitary community to discuss plant health, international standards, innovation, and safe trade. On 10 March, during the poster session, Thomas Lopes presented research carried out by COLEAD’s Research & Innovation Brokerage team on hot water phytosanitary treatment for controlling fruit flies in West African mango exports. This contribution is… +Launch of a new MOOC dedicated to helping agri-entrepreneurs adapt to climate change
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In March, the COLEAD Training Department launched a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) entitled “agri-entrepreneurs facing climate change: innovating, adapting, financing solutions.” This initiative reflects COLEAD’s commitment to strengthening the capacities of agri-food stakeholders in response to the growing challenges posed by climate change. Developed under the FFM+ programme, this course offers a practical perspective on how climate change affects agricultural businesses, with a focus on solutions that enable innovation, adaptation, and enhanced resilience of agri-food systems. It is… +Looking back at fruit logistica 2026: key trends in sustainability, innovation and market opportunities
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
The COLEAD took part last February in the international trade fair Fruit Logistica as part of its FFM+ and AGRINFO programmes. At Fruit Logistica 2026, several structuring trends emerged, confirming the ongoing transformation of the fruit and vegetable sector. Sustainability, logistics, technological innovation and market dynamics are shaping current priorities. Sustainability remains central but is shifting towards concrete implementation. Stakeholders highlighted the complexity of existing frameworks and the need for clearer standards capable of demonstrating tangible results, particularly in terms… +Sustainable management of organic waste: from training to action, an example from Burkina faso
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Last December, COLEAD organised a training session in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) focused on the sustainable management and valorisation of organic waste, as part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme. The session aimed to enable participating partners to design and implement waste management plans tailored to their activities, while promoting environmentally friendly practices. Participants came from companies with diverse profiles (production, processing, quality, and agricultural advisory services). Combining theoretical input, group work, and a field visit to a… +Waste management – Malawi Mangoes adopts a circular, efficient and value-creating management model
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, the COLEAD supported Malawi Mangoes (MM) through a strategic mission aimed at transforming its waste management system from a linear and costly approach into a circular, efficient and value-creating model. Implemented between September and November 2025, the mission followed a structured approach, from the initial diagnostic to the co-development of a comprehensive operational strategy. The assessment carried out on the Matumba and Dzuwa farms, as well as at the Salima… +Structuring investment to accelerate local transformation: the ANEP Company example in Africa
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
As part of the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, COLEAD supported ANEP Company in structuring its financing request and developing an investor pitch deck, in support of an integrated project combining a packing facility and a pineapple processing unit. Beyond a simple formalisation exercise, the objective was clear: to strengthen the project’s economic credibility, maximise access to appropriate external financing, and support a value-creating local industrialisation pathway. The support enabled the consolidation of the business plan, aligning financial assumptions,… +Securing access to the eu organic market: COLEAD support to SPA-IMPEX/CI in Côte d’Ivoire
- 25/03/2026
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
In Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire, the COLEAD supported SPA-IMPEX/CI in achieving compliance with the European Union organic regulation, under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme. The objective was to secure and expand export opportunities for mango and processed banana products, while strengthening the company’s internal organisation and long-term credibility. The support focused on the full structuring of an operator group (OG) in line with EU Organic requirements. A comprehensive documentation system was established, including twelve operational procedures, governance documents (producer… +Sandra McLeish (Jamaica): champion of climate-smart agrifood transformation
- 22/12/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Sandra McLeish is a Jamaican entrepreneur, renewable-energy advocate, and founder of Agro Cold Storage Logistics Limited (ACSL) and Sankhard Company Limited—two women-led enterprises strengthening Jamaica’s food security and climate resilience. A farmer’s daughter from rural Jamaica, Sandra grew up witnessing the vulnerabilities of small-scale farmers, from climate shocks to weak supply chains. These experiences shaped her mission to build a more resilient, inclusive agricultural ecosystem. As CEO of ACSL, Sandra leads the national rollout of solar-powered cold-chain hubs to reduce… +Strengthening science–business partnerships to transform agri-food systems – lessons from the AU–EU dialogues on research and innovation
- 22/12/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
Two recent events held alongside the African Union–European Union Senior Officials Meeting within the framework of the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (HLPD-STI) in Brussels highlighted a key challenge: the need to better connect research, innovation and economic actors in order to accelerate the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems. On 21 October 2025, an event dedicated to the role of AU–EU research and innovation strategies in shaping Africa’s food future brought together policymakers, researchers and private-sector representatives.… +