The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), working with IACL, has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Agri SME Enterprise Support Program, an initiative designed to strengthen youth- and women-led agribusinesses in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

The programme will support 100 commercially active agribusinesses, with 20 enterprises selected from each of the five participating countries. Beneficiaries will receive tailored business development assistance focused on strengthening business operations, widening market opportunities and increasing their capacity to create jobs.

Rather than concentrating solely on financing, the initiative is designed to help agricultural MSMEs build the systems, capabilities and structures required to become sustainable and scalable businesses.

As part of the programme, selected enterprises will undergo a structured diagnostic assessment. The assessment will examine several aspects of their businesses, including business models, financial management, production and aggregation capacity, supplier systems, quality management, certification readiness, market access, employment, inclusion, digital systems and growth potential.

The findings from the assessment will determine the type of assistance provided to each participating enterprise. Support may cover business and financial management, supply chain development, quality and food safety, certification and regulatory readiness planning, market positioning, coaching and technical assistance.

Participating businesses will also have access to investor-readiness support and financial linkages. In addition, the programme will assist enterprises in developing practical growth and job-creation plans covering a 12- to 18-month period.

Eligibility is open to commercially active agribusinesses that are youth-led or women-led and operate in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda or Tanzania.

Applicants must be active in the agriculture or agri-food sector and demonstrate credible prospects for business growth, market expansion and job creation. Businesses operating across agricultural value chains are eligible, including those that source from farmers, provide services to agricultural actors or work directly with smallholder producers.

Applicants must also be prepared to take part in enterprise diagnostics, coaching, site visits and other activities associated with business development under the programme.

However, enterprises that have previously benefited from YEFFA investment are specifically excluded from the opportunity.

For young and women entrepreneurs operating within Africa’s agriculture sector, the programme is positioned to help tackle operational barriers that can constrain commercially viable businesses. These challenges include weaknesses in supply chains, certification, market access, financial management and investor readiness.

The programme’s focus on linking businesses with financial institutions and strengthening their preparedness for investment could also help participating enterprises improve their ability to secure capital in the future.

Source: msmeafricaonline