Applications have opened for the Agri SME Enterprise Support Program, which is aimed at supporting high-potential agribusinesses led by young people and women across five African countries.

The initiative, supported in collaboration with IACL, is designed to help participating businesses strengthen their operations, improve supply chains, gain better access to markets and contribute to more inclusive economic opportunities.

A total of 100 enterprises are expected to be selected, with 20 businesses coming from each participating country: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Eligible applicants must be commercially active businesses operating in the agriculture or agri-food sector. The programme is specifically open to youth-led and women-led enterprises that can demonstrate credible potential for business growth and market expansion.

Applicants should also have the capacity to create jobs and either work with, source from, or provide services across agricultural value chains. Businesses working directly with farmers and other agricultural value-chain participants, including smallholder producers, are eligible to apply.

Selected businesses must be prepared to take part in enterprise diagnostics, coaching, site visits and other business development activities. They must also not have previously benefited from YEFFA investment.

Participating enterprises will first undergo a structured enterprise diagnostic designed to identify their strengths, challenges and priority business needs. The assessment may examine their business model and strategy, financial management, production and aggregation capacity, supply-chain and supplier systems, quality management, food safety and traceability.

Other areas that may be assessed include certification and regulatory readiness, market access and buyer preparation, employment and inclusion, digital systems and overall growth potential.

Following the assessment, selected businesses may receive support tailored to their identified needs. This could include business and financial management assistance, supply-chain strengthening, coaching and specialised technical assistance, as well as support for market positioning.

The programme may also provide investor-readiness assistance and financial linkages, help enterprises improve quality and regulatory readiness, and support the development of practical plans focused on business growth and job creation.

Priority will be given to enterprises that contribute to the availability, accessibility or commercial viability of nutritious foods. Businesses within the Generation Africa and Value4Her pipelines will also form part of the programme’s primary pipeline.

The application deadline is September 11, 2026. The programme will be delivered online, with activities scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, and will run for one year.

Eligible agribusinesses can apply by completing the official enterprise diagnostic form.

Applicants should note that completing the form does not automatically guarantee selection into the programme.

Source: msme Africa online.