The African Food Change makers (AFC) has officially launched the “Scaling Export Program” (SEP) focuses on expanding and diversifying the capacity of African Small and Medium Entreprise agripreneurs to participate in export.
The Scaling Export Program (SEP) seeks to engage an annual cohort of agri-food SMEs to build their capacity to export healthy, nutritious agri-food products to intra-African and international markets through training, market exposure, trade linkages, and ongoing business support. The program provides tremendous opportunities to increase the competitiveness of our domestic markets, enable diversification through value addition, and improve the participation of agriSMEs in regional and continental trade through the AfCFTA.
The program will accept applications from agri-food entrepreneurs formally registered in an African country who have been in operation for at least two years with proof of existing local demand for the products/commodities and have innovative food products fit for international markets. The objective of the program is to empower agribusinesses across Africa, enabling them to thrive in the export market and ultimately drive job creation opportunities for youth and women in the agri-food industry.
Upon completion of the program, agribusinesses will:
• Be able to develop global brands and products fit for African and other international markets.
• Gain practical knowledge on sourcing export contracts for their agri-food produce and products.
• Understand the export transaction process and develop negotiation and relationship management skills for international trade.
• Start/scale an efficient and profitable export business that is sustainable and can withstand external shocks.
• Build strategic partnerships with stakeholders to shape policies for export-led growth.
Speaking at the launch event on Thursday, 6th July 2023, Hon. Afishetu Braimoh, a Serial Entrepreneur & Founder of SACFruits, Claudia Castellanos, Co-Founder & CEO of Black Mamba Foods, and Dr. Bamidele Ayemibo, an International Business Development Expert, shared their invaluable insights and experiences on the theme “Strategies and Best Practices for Preparing Agribusinesses for Export Success.” (Click here to catch up with the recording).
For more details about SEP and how to apply, visit: www.sep.afchub.org
