Phillip J Mostert 🇿🇦

Publication alert - 2nd publication of 2024. This paper examines capacity building from the perspective of business growth and success in small-scale agro-processing enterprises. Our analytical approach was underpinned by the inability of small-scale agri-enterprises to grow and succeed despite the South African government's support for capacity building through the economic empowerment programme initiative in the past three decades. The study was conducted in five of nine selected South African provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, North-West, Free State, and Mpumalanga). This study was essential for developing an effective strategy for enhancing agri-business growth and success in South Africa. A concurrent mixed-methods research design was used, and data from 503 small-scale agro-processors was analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis techniques. The results revealed that capacity building (β = 0.274, p = 0.000) significantly influences the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors. Furthermore, the study showed that mentorship and technical and financial skills are critical types of capacity building that influence the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors in South Africa. It is recommended that all government or private stakeholders, including agricultural extension advisory services, invest in capacity-building programmes for small-scale agro-processors to achieve economic empowerment. Economically empowered small-scale agro-processors will significantly contribute to employment creation and better income distribution.

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For Immediate Release Date: September 13, 2024 AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation (AfYEF) Hosts Successful MANSA Database Onboarding Webinar to Empower African SMEs Lusaka, Zambia – The AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation (AfYEF), in collaboration with the MANSA Database Zambia Team, successfully hosted the MANSA Database Onboarding Awareness Webinar on September 12, 2024. This event aimed at accelerating the onboarding of African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the MANSA Database, enhancing their access to trade finance and cross-border trade opportunities. Held from 14:00 CAT to 15:43 CAT, the webinar gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across Africa. Mr. Frederick Nonde Jr., AfYEF Vice President for Administration, Co-founder & CEO of MIBT, and Co-chair of the MANSA Database Zambia Team, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of the MANSA platform in improving trade transparency and financing for SMEs in Africa. The MANSA Database, an initiative of Afreximbank, offers a centralized and trusted source of due diligence information for African SMEs, aiming to streamline trade processes and expand financing options. AfYEF's role in hosting this event underscored its commitment to supporting youth-led businesses and fostering economic development. Ms. Aisata Guiro, Director of Pearls Business Services and Co-chair of the MANSA Database Zambia Team, discussed the strategic partnership between AfYEF and Afreximbank MANSA. She highlighted the initiative's goal to onboard 20,000 SMEs across Africa by December 2024, beginning with a focus on Zambia. The successful efforts in Zambia are expected to be replicated in Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, and South Africa as part of Phase 1. The webinar also featured WEAC (Women Entrepreneurs Access Center), introduced by Ms. Susan Mudwayu. WEAC's involvement aims to bolster support for women-led businesses within the MANSA initiative, ensuring they gain critical access to trade markets and financing. Motley Institute of Business & Technology (MIBT) and Pearls Business Services are key collaborators in the MANSA onboarding process in Zambia. MIBT will provide technical assistance and training, while Pearls Business Services will manage compliance and documentation, helping Zambian SMEs, especially those led by youth and women, effectively use the MANSA platform. AfYEF will continue engaging stakeholders through weekly info sessions to provide updates and support for the onboarding process. The organization remains dedicated to empowering African SMEs and driving sustainable economic growth through the MANSA platform. For more information about the MANSA platform and SME onboarding, visit https://lnkd.in/gmwt5fTV Contact Information: AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation (AfYEF) Email: [email protected], [email protected] Phone: +233 24 403 0280; +260 966 859 611 Website: http://afyef.org ---

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Subject: Transforming Agriculture: Join Us at the UK-Africa Summit Green Gold: Revolutionizing Agriculture in East Africa You are invited to the 14th UK-Africa Investment Summit (UK-ABS). We are delighted to invite you to the 14th Annual UK-Africa Investment Summit, focusing on East Africa. Organized by the Uganda UK Convention (UCUK), this summit is the UK's premier business event on East Africa, designed to bolster investments and expand exports by engaging with target markets. 📅 Date: 6 September 2024 📍 Venue: The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel, Stratton Street, London W1J 8LT, United Kingdom 🎯 Theme: "Accelerating Growth Through Partnerships for Global Market Expansion in East Africa" Agenda: https://ukafricasummit.uk/ Register: https://lnkd.in/eShzD9uD Objectives of the Summit: 1.       Promote Investment: Showcase opportunities in East Africa across sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, ICT, and healthcare. 2.       Expand Exports: Enhance East African exports to the UK, Europe, and global markets. 3.       Foster Partnerships: Encourage strategic alliances between UK and East African businesses to boost economic growth. 4.       Share Insights: Provide valuable information on market trends, regulatory frameworks, and investment incentives in East Africa. Key Sessions and Themes: Sustainable Agriculture and Agri-Tech Innovations: "Green Gold: Revolutionizing Agriculture in East Africa through Technology and Sustainability." We look forward to your participation and are excited about the prospect of your contribution to the summit's success. For sponsorship and speaking opportunities: +44 7868 855 951 and [email protected]

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Announcement: Launch of the Seed Lab’s first Call For Applications The Seed Lab is a key initiative to support #agriSMEs under the African Development Bank Group’s Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism’s (ACFM) Technical Assistance Window, delivered through Open Capital’s Agri-SME Support Program. The deadline for the first Call for Applications is Monday, 5th of August at 6pm GMT; applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Unlock your Agri-SME's potential with the Seed Lab, a comprehensive, cohort-based capacity building initiative crafted by the African Development Bank and Open Capital. Leveraging decades of experience supporting Agri-SMEs across Sub-Saharan Africa, this exclusive ~3-month program is designed to propel your business forward. Join over 140 agri-SMEs from 20+ countries as we dive deep into your business model, refine growth strategies, and prepare you to access finance and have deeper impact in your markets. Led by industry leaders, the Seed Lab equips you with essential skills in strategic planning, financial management, business operations, and leadership, to support sustainable growth and measurable impact. To be eligible for the Seed Lab, your business must meet the following criteria: ➡ Geographic location: Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, or Nigeria ➡ Sector: Agribusinesses operating in food system value chains, and supporting ecosystem players, e.g., agricultural producers, input & equipment providers, processors, marketplaces, Ag-tech businesses, etc... ➡ 2023 annual revenues: US $100,000-$500,000 ➡ Number of full-time employees: 5-50 ➡ Capital raise target: US $50,000-$750,000 ➡ Gender and climate integration: Prioritization will be given to SMEs with integrated gender-inclusive and climate-resilient practices For more information visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dUd9PSUT #AfDB #OpenCapital #ACFM #ACFMSL #AgriSMEs #Africa

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A call for impact investors in South Africa’s impending water and sanitation crisis … …… Max Pichulik, co-founder of Impact Amplifier, spoke about “impact investing” at the summit, an idea that combines financial returns with social good. “Capital can be a form of justice,” Pichulik said. Instead of relying solely on grants, he advocated for using tools like venture debt and equity investments to scale sanitation technologies. He also called on South Africa to rely less on international funding and more on local innovation. “Unless we structurally change our economy and raise incomes, households won’t be able to afford better sanitation,” he said. Naidoo also brought this point to home, saying: “We need to make tough choices and stop regurgitating the old way of thinking.” https://lnkd.in/dnHhzNRC

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At Africa Practice, we combine stakeholder, policy, sector, and narrative expertise to create reports and intervention designs that resonate with your target audiences. Our comprehensive approach includes primary data collection, analysis, and survey design to provide you with actionable insights. 📊 Social and socio-economic impact reporting 🌍 Socio-economic impact scenarios and pathways 📑 Data-informed project design for impact 🎥 Impact storytelling and visualisation Find out how we designed a unique study that investigated and evidenced Netflix’s socio-economic impact in sub-Saharan Africa in three key markets  👉 https://bit.ly/4exDyZN Let us help you take evidence-based action where it matters the most: [email protected] #Changemakers #Trailblazers #Groundbreakers Cc Netflix  

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Reflecting on our partnership between Abanga Farms & Food Systems and Namibia’s MEATCO, I am reminded of the profound role collaborations play in shaping businesses and driving shared success. At its core, a great partnership is about uniting vision, expertise, and resources for a greater mission. Our alliance with MEATCO was driven by a bold goal: to feed Africa. This isn’t just about business growth, it’s about creating sustainable food systems, unlocking opportunities, and making meaningful contributions to communities across the continent. Whether partnering with individuals or organizations, the essence of collaboration lies in mutual trust, shared values, and aligned objectives. Partnerships amplify what we can achieve alone, fostering innovation, scaling impact, and ensuring long-term resilience in an ever-changing world. To businesses and leaders: seek partnerships that challenge you, grow you, and align with your mission! #Abanga #StrategicPartnership #FeedingAfrica #FoodSecurity #Agribusiness #Food #Crops #Meat #CollaborationForGrowth #Action #SustainableImpact #Development #BusinessLeadership

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Africa represents one of the most compelling and untapped opportunities for global venture capital firms today. With a rapidly growing population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and a median age of just 19, the continent boasts a young, dynamic, and increasingly tech-savvy workforce eager to innovate. African startups are at the forefront of this transformation, addressing critical challenges in sectors such as fintech, agritech, healthtech, and clean energy, with solutions that have the potential to scale globally. The digital revolution is accelerating across Africa, with mobile penetration expected to surpass 50% by 2025. This growth is driving unprecedented connectivity and opening new markets, paving the way for startups to reach millions of underserved consumers and businesses. Additionally, Africa’s diverse and unique challenges foster ingenuity and resilience, resulting in robust and adaptable business models. Investment in African startups is not just about financial returns; it’s about being part of a movement that is reshaping economies and lifting communities out of poverty. The continent’s startup ecosystem has already seen remarkable success stories, attracting over $2 billion in venture funding in recent years. By investing in Africa, you are positioning your firm at the vanguard of the next great wave of innovation, capturing high-growth opportunities and making a lasting impact on millions of lives. #africa #startups #venturecapital #investments #investingopportunities #vc #startupfunding #venturebuilding #startupjourney #angelinvesting #venturecapitalists #ai #saas #fintech #techstartups #impactinvesting #excessedgeexperts #excessedgeexpertsconsulting #financing

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BIODIVERSITY: AFRICAN GERANIUM MANAGEMENT PLAN OUT FOR COMMENT https://lnkd.in/eujy7xBf #environmentallaw #southafrica #conservation #medicinal #plants #biodiversity #management #plan #comments

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𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 At the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) and African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)  co-hosted an official side event titled “𝑨𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒊-𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 & 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆: 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏" The event shed light on the pressing issue of soil degradation in Africa and the imperative need for adopting regenerative agricultural practices. African soils have faced a myriad of challenges including the loss of organic matter, biodiversity, fertility, and erosion, both by water and wind, along with soil acidification. Regenerative Agriculture (RA) emerged as a promising solution during the event. RA advocates for practices such as maintaining permanent soil cover, fostering agro-biodiversity, and utilizing recycled organic fertilizers to bolster nutrient cycles and mitigate environmental degradation. Moreover, innovative approaches like biofertilizers and biochar derived from agricultural waste were underscored as efficient nutrient sources and production technologies. The event stressed the significance of integrating RA principles with Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) methods to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience, particularly among African smallholder farmers. This synergy is crucial for not only improving yields but also ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural systems. To facilitate the adoption of these practices, collaborative efforts between stakeholders are paramount. The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) are actively engaging with African governments to establish supportive frameworks for sustainable farming. They are providing extension education and support mechanisms to empower farmers with the knowledge and resources needed to transition towards more regenerative and intensification-focused agricultural practices. By fostering partnerships and implementing holistic strategies, there is hope for revitalizing African soils, safeguarding food security, and promoting resilient livelihoods for millions of farmers across the continent.

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