A series of initiatives are available for entrepreneurs in the agribusiness sector, focusing on developing viable, climate-smart business concepts within African, Caribbean, and Pacific states. These programs provide structured learning pathways, funding opportunities, and support for innovators working with specific agricultural value chains, including cocoa, maize, cashew, and livestock. The opportunities are designed to equip emerging and established agripreneurs with the skills and resources needed to create investment-ready and sustainable enterprises.
Agribusiness e-Academy: Call for Submissions
The Agribusiness e-Academy offers a free, step-by-step learning pathway designed to help young and emerging agripreneurs build a viable, climate-smart business concept. The program aims to address the challenge that only three out of ten early-stage businesses in Africa secure external funding by helping participants develop clear business logic, financial viability, and climate-smart strategies. Successful completion and submission provide a chance to win funding, mentorship, or equipment.
Eligibility Criteria
• Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older.
• Location: Applicants must be based in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
• Value Chains: The agribusiness idea must be related to cocoa, maize, cashew, or livestock (cattle, sheep, goats).
Learning Pathway and Curriculum
• Business Model Canvas for Agribusinesses: Learn how to structure a strong business model, including costs, margins, and pricing.
• Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation: Understand climate risks within the value chain and learn practical adaptation and risk-management strategies.
• Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness: Assess the viability and profitability of a business idea and prepare for pitching to investors.
• Your AgriCanvas: Apply the learnings to build a tailored Business Model Canvas, making the concept investment-ready.
Prizes and Incentives
Participants who submit their completed AgriCanvas are eligible to win one of the following:
• €2,000 in funding
• A tablet or laptop
• Mentoring support
Application Process and Requirements
• Step 1: Register for a free account on the atingi platform.
• Step 2: Complete the three mandatory Agribusiness e-Academy courses. "Business Model Canvas" and "Climate Smart Agri-Business Adaptation" must be completed before unlocking "Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness".
• Step 3: Develop a complete AgriCanvas using the official Business Model Canvas template.
• Step 4: Submit the idea through the official submission form on KoboToolbox. Submissions must include a valid certificate ID from the final course and the full AgriCanvas entered directly into the form fields. No file uploads are permitted. Each applicant may submit only one idea per submission window.
Key Dates
• Submission Window 2 Deadline: 31 May 2026
• Winner Announcement: Towards the end of September 2026
Matching Grant Fund (MGF)
The Matching Grant Fund (MGF) is a competitive mechanism for private sector actors in OACPS member states working in the cashew, cocoa, maize, or livestock sectors. The fund targets innovative ideas that make these value chains less fragmented, more inclusive for women and youth, sustainable, and profitable, including innovations for by-products. The most recent call for applications is now closed.
MGF Application and Selection Process
The selection process for the MGF follows a structured, multi-stage approach:
• Stage 1: Readiness Programme & Call for Concept Notes (Pre-qualification).
• Stage 2: Submission of concept notes by the deadline (18th August, 12pm GMT for the last call).
• Stage 3: Assessment of concept notes by an independent, international expert committee.
• Stage 4: Shortlisted applicants are invited to develop a full technical proposal and budget with support from the ABF team.
• Stage 5: Final proposals are evaluated, and a funding decision is made.
• Stage 6: Contracts are prepared and finalized.
• Stage 7: Project implementation begins with reporting, supervision, and support from ABF.
Program Organizers
These initiatives are organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through its Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) and Market-Oriented Value Chains for Jobs and Growth in the ECOWAS Region (MOVE-ComCashew) projects. They are part of the Joint Action “Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains”, a combined effort of the EU Directorate-General for International Partnerships (INTPA), the Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the German Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
For entrepreneurs and private sector entities dedicated to fostering innovation and resilience in key agricultural value chains, these programs offer valuable pathways for growth and development. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the official program websites for detailed terms and conditions, eligibility requirements, and information on future submission windows.