Access to Finance - Agrinnovators Forum https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/ Agrinnovators Discussion Board en-US Thu, 28 May 2026 10:03:56 +0000 wpForo 60 Et si l’accompagnement faisait vraiment la différence dans le développement d’une PME agroalimentaire ? https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/et-si-laccompagnement-faisait-vraiment-la-difference-dans-le-developpement-dune-pme-agroalimentaire/ Tue, 26 May 2026 09:43:15 +0000 FR

À travers cette nouvelle ligne de publication Avant/Après, nous souhaitons mettre en lumière les parcours d’entreprises accompagnées par le COLEAD dans le cadre du programme Fit For Market Plus (FFM+), financé par l’Union européenne.

Pour ce premier portrait, découvrez l’expérience de Thiossane Business Services, une PME sénégalaise spécialisée dans la transformation de fruits, légumes et céréales locales en produits naturels et nutritifs.

Face à des défis liés à l’accès au financement, à la gestion financière, à la structuration du modèle économique et à la définition d’un plan de croissance clair, l’entreprise a bénéficié d’un accompagnement concret : business plan, coaching, formations, accès aux ressources COLEAD et mise en réseau.

Aujourd’hui, Thiossane Business Services témoigne d’un renforcement de ses compétences, de son leadership, de sa structuration interne et de ses perspectives de développement.

Une belle illustration de l’impact d’un accompagnement adapté, durable et orienté vers les besoins réels des entreprises agroalimentaires.

👉 Suivez-nous pour découvrir d’autres parcours inspirants.

Des questions ou réactions ? Partagez-les en commentaires !

 

EN

Through this new Before/After publication line, we aim to highlight the journeys of companies supported by COLEAD under the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, funded by the European Union.

For this first profile, discover the experience of Thiossane Business Services, a Senegalese SME specialised in transforming local fruits, vegetables and cereals into natural and nutritious products.

Faced with challenges related to access to finance, financial management, business model structuring and the definition of a clear growth plan, the company benefited from concrete support, including business plan development, coaching, training, access to COLEAD resources and networking opportunities.

Today, Thiossane Business Services reports strengthened skills, improved leadership, better internal structuring and clearer development perspectives.

A strong illustration of the impact of tailored, sustainable support focused on the real needs of agrifood businesses.

👉 Follow us to discover more inspiring journeys.

Any questions or reactions? Share them in the comments!

 

34 35 37 36 32 33 38]]> Access to Finance Ahoefa Soklou https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/et-si-laccompagnement-faisait-vraiment-la-difference-dans-le-developpement-dune-pme-agroalimentaire/ Votre plan d’affaires tient-il vraiment la route ? https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/votre-plan-daffaires-tient-il-vraiment-la-route/ Mon, 18 May 2026 15:08:45 +0000 Découvrez 5 éléments essentiels à intégrer pour mieux structurer votre projet agroalimentaire et préparer vos échanges avec des partenaires ou financeurs.

Et vous, quel élément trouvez-vous le plus difficile à construire ?


Partagez votre expérience en commentaire !!!

 

29]]> Access to Finance Ahoefa Soklou https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/votre-plan-daffaires-tient-il-vraiment-la-route/ Access to finance is also about building trust https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/access-to-finance-is-also-about-building-trust/ Wed, 06 May 2026 17:38:30 +0000 During our webinar on “Financing African Agrifood Entrepreneurs: Strategies to Access Investment”, Joel Degboe, Chief Financial Officer at Cajou Espoir, shared an important message :

“Certifications, quality standards, and value chain control are not just technical requirements, they are strategic assets that build trust and unlock better markets and financing.”

Based in Togo, Cajou Espoir is a cashew processing company founded in 2004. The company contributes to local value creation through cashew processing, works closely with producers, supports employment particularly for women and has strengthened its market positioning through quality standards and certifications.

Joel’s message reminds us that, for agrifood SMEs, investing in quality is not only about meeting requirements. It can also help build credibility with buyers, partners and investors.

For agrifood entrepreneurs, what is the biggest challenge in turning certifications and quality standards into real business opportunities: cost, technical capacity, market recognition, or access to the right support?

24 23]]> Access to Finance Ahoefa Soklou https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/access-to-finance-is-also-about-building-trust/ Finding funding is not only about identifying an opportunity, it is also about choosing the right one for your business. https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/finding-funding-is-not-only-about-identifying-an-opportunity-it-is-also-about-choosing-the-right-one-for-your-business/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:36:11 +0000

For agrifood entrepreneurs and SMEs, different financing options exist: internal financing, debt, equity, grants and more. But each source comes with its own requirements, eligibility criteria, documentation, repayment conditions and expectations.

The right option will depend on your business stage, structure, track record and, above all, the feasibility and potential of your project.

In this short video, we highlight a few key points to keep in mind before approaching funders from understanding their profile to preparing the right documents and building a strong engagement plan.

To go further, COLEAD’s free webinar on Sources of Funding is available on YouTube, with practical guidance and useful online resources to help you explore funding opportunities with more confidence.

🎥 Watch the video and join the conversation:

What is the main challenge you face when looking for funding for your agrifood business?

18
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
]]> Access to Finance Ahoefa Soklou https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/finding-funding-is-not-only-about-identifying-an-opportunity-it-is-also-about-choosing-the-right-one-for-your-business/ Access to finance for agrifood SMEs: what really makes the difference? https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/access-to-finance-for-agrifood-smes-what-really-makes-the-difference/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:50:02 +0000 Two key insights shared by Jovia Kisaakye during Session 26 of the PAFO–COLEAD Innovations Series highlight an important reality:

👉 Funding is not just about applying it’s about building.
👉 And it often starts long before meeting investors.

For many agrifood SMEs, the journey to finance is shaped by:

  • how well you understand your customers
  • how clearly you demonstrate impact
  • and how consistently you build and show your progress

📌 In your experience:

  • What has helped you move closer to funding?
  • What challenges are you still facing in accessing finance?

💡 Let’s open the discussion share your insights, questions or advice. Your experience can support others in the community.

🎥 Want to dive deeper into these insights?


Watch the full session here in English or in French

15 14

 

16 17

 

]]> Access to Finance Ahoefa Soklou https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/access-to-finance-for-agrifood-smes-what-really-makes-the-difference/ Webinaire : pourquoi votre entreprise agroalimentaire a besoin d’un plan d’affaires ? https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/webinaire-pourquoi-votre-entreprise-agroalimentaire-a-besoin-dun-plan-daffaires/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:07:45 +0000 Vous travaillez sur le développement de votre entreprise agroalimentaire ?
Un plan d’affaires bien construit peut vous aider à mieux structurer votre projet, orienter vos décisions et préparer vos démarches de financement.

Le COLEAD, à travers son programme Fit For Market Plus (FFM+), organise un webinaire en français consacré aux fondamentaux du business plan dans le secteur agroalimentaire.

Cette session vous permettra de mieux comprendre :

  • pourquoi le plan d’affaires est un outil essentiel ;
  • quelles sont les rubriques clés à y inclure ;
  • comment le rendre plus clair, plus solide et plus convaincant ;
  • et de poser vos questions en direct aux experts.

📅 28 avril 2026
🕛 12:00 – 12:45 (UTC)
🌍 En français

👉 Inscrivez-vous ici : https://tinyurl.com/3psx6485

13

 

]]> Access to Finance Ahoefa Soklou https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/webinaire-pourquoi-votre-entreprise-agroalimentaire-a-besoin-dun-plan-daffaires/ Launch tonight of the Paris Club of the African Agribusiness Investment Opportunity Bank https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/launch-tonight-of-the-paris-club-of-the-african-agribusiness-investment-opportunity-bank/ Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:10:40 +0000 African agribusiness is no longer just a sector — it’s the continent’s next giant leap. Investing in it isn’t an option anymore. It’s obvious.

Every year, African diasporas send billions of euros from Europe. Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast… same pattern: the money arrives, it gets spent, rarely invested. A massive force — but an untapped lever.

👉 What if we stopped just sending — and started growing?

Public aid is shrinking. African countries want to take back control of their future. One question says it all:

How do we turn solidarity money into a real engine of sustainable wealth?

The answer: the BOPA Paris Club.
A clear, safe, transparent framework to finally:
✅ let diasporas invest in real, tangible projects
✅ let committed European partners scale their impact
✅ turn African agribusiness — sovereignty, jobs, pride — into an impact machine

Tonight, no theory. We launch.
✅ The vision and engine of the BOPA Paris Club
✅ Members on the ground share their real experience
✅ An unfiltered Q&A — ask your real questions

📍 Monday, April 20 • 9:00 PM (Paris) / 8:00 PM (Benin). In French

📺 YouTube Live: https://lnkd.in/eTd_2XnQ

 

]]> Access to Finance herson https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/launch-tonight-of-the-paris-club-of-the-african-agribusiness-investment-opportunity-bank/ How to build a strong financial plan to attract funding https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/how-to-build-a-strong-financial-plan-to-attract-funding/ Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:01:48 +0000 Access to finance is one of the biggest challenges for agrifood entrepreneurs, not because ideas lack potential, but because they’re not always presented in a way investors understand. A strong financial plan presents your numbers as a clear and convincing story for investors.

COLEAD supports agripreneurs in building that story through a complete learning pathway:

  • 🎥 Webinars explaining why a solid financial plan is essential to attract funding
  • 📚 Self-paced course covering all key components
  • 🧑‍🏫 Collective training with expert guidance (requires an application for support)
  • 🤝 Post training support to move forward in your access-to-finance journey (available once the collective training is completed)

This step-by-step pathway helps turn your idea into a structured, investment-ready business ! Check the video: Reel Financial Plan 1.mp4

Our upcoming online sessions provide firsthand experiences from entrepreneurs who secured funding, plus expert advice:

Financing African agrifood entrepreneurs: strategies to access investment
Tuesday, 24 March - 12:00–14:00 UTC | 13:00–15:00 CET
Register here

Financing Caribbean agrifood entrepreneurs: strategies to access investment
Tuesday, 31 March - 14:00–16:00 UTC | 10:00–12:00 AST
Register here

]]> Access to Finance Nina Desanlis-Perrin https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/how-to-build-a-strong-financial-plan-to-attract-funding/ Financing Caribbean agrifood entrepreneurs: strategies to access investment https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/financing-caribbean-agrifood-entrepreneurs-strategies-to-access-investment/ Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:32:12 +0000 Strengthening access to finance is key to building productive, climate-resilient, inclusive, and competitive agrifood systems across the Caribbean. Improving finance in the sector requires more than just increasing capital, it involves creating tailored financial products, reducing perceived risks, and supporting entrepreneurs to enhance business management, financial transparency, and investment readiness.

The IICA-COLEAD Caribbean Agrifood Business Session n°20 offers a practical platform for dialogue between capital seekers and providers. The session will showcase successful entrepreneurs, share expert insights on financing instruments, eligibility, and risk mitigation, and connect stakeholders to foster actionable strategies. By highlighting real success stories, the session aims to inspire confidence, generate key lessons, and guide entrepreneurs in accessing investment opportunities.

Session Details:

Join us to learn from successful entrepreneurs, engage with investors, and discover practical strategies to access finance for your agrifood business ! 

]]> Access to Finance Nina Desanlis-Perrin https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/financing-caribbean-agrifood-entrepreneurs-strategies-to-access-investment/ 💰 Financing African Agrifood Entrepreneurs: Strategies to access investment https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/%f0%9f%92%b0-financing-african-agrifood-entrepreneurs-strategies-to-access-investment-2/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:05:22 +0000 Access to finance remains one of the biggest challenges for agrifood entrepreneurs across Africa. Yet many businesses are successfully attracting investors and scaling their impact.

What makes an agrifood company investable? What funding opportunities exist for the sector?

Join the 26th session of the PAFO–COLEAD Innovations Series to hear directly from entrepreneurs who have raised investment and from experts sharing practical insights on how to access funding.

📅 Tuesday, 24 March 2026
⏰ 12:00–14:00 UTC | 13:00–15:00 CET
💻 Online (Zoom)

👉 Register now : https://tinyurl.com/3s5r22dv 

]]> Access to Finance Ahoefa Soklou https://agrinnovators.org/community/access-to-finance-access-to-finance/%f0%9f%92%b0-financing-african-agrifood-entrepreneurs-strategies-to-access-investment-2/