CFAs: Empowering Young Agripreneurs to Turn Ideas into Growth

Deadline: 30-Oct-2026

The Business Growth Awards Grant Program is supporting young and emerging agripreneurs in OACPS member states who complete a climate-smart agribusiness e-learning pathway and submit innovative business ideas in selected agricultural value chains. The programme is designed to help young entrepreneurs build stronger business models, improve climate resilience, develop sustainable growth strategies, and prepare their ventures for investment. Winners will receive €6,000 in funding, a Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop, and a place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme.

About the Business Growth Awards Grant Program

The Business Growth Awards programme addresses the funding challenges faced by early-stage businesses in Africa, where only a minority of new businesses secure external funding. The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of young agripreneurs by helping them: - Develop viable business models. - Understand climate-related risks. - Build climate-smart and resilient ventures. - Develop sustainable growth strategies. - Improve investment readiness. - Strengthen their agribusiness skills. - Prepare stronger business plans. Participants first complete a structured e-learning pathway before submitting their strongest business ideas for consideration. Agribusiness e-Academy E-Learning Pathway Participation in the programme begins with a curated learning pathway through the Agribusiness e-Academy. Applicants must complete three mandatory courses:

- Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation

- Business Model Canvas - Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness The courses are designed to provide practical knowledge that participants can apply when developing and presenting their agribusiness ideas.

Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation

This mandatory course focuses on helping agripreneurs understand climate risks and develop adaptation approaches for their businesses. Climate resilience is an important component of the Business Growth Awards because submitted business ideas must demonstrate a climate-smart or resilience component. Business Model Canvas The Business Model Canvas course helps participants develop a clear understanding of how their agribusiness operates as a business. A strong business model is important for demonstrating how a proposed venture can generate revenue and grow sustainably. Applicants should use the learning from this course when developing their business plan and explaining the commercial potential of their idea. Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness The third mandatory course focuses on preparing agribusinesses for investment and sustainable growth. Participants are expected to apply this knowledge when preparing their strongest business plan for submission. The course pathway therefore connects learning directly with the requirements of the Business Growth Awards application. Eligible Agricultural Value Chains After completing all three mandatory courses, eligible applicants can submit their strongest business plans. The proposed business must focus on one or more of the following value chains: - Maize. - Livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats. - Cashew. - Cocoa. Business ideas outside these specified value chains will not be considered. Climate-Smart and Resilient Business Ideas Submitted ideas must demonstrate a climate-smart or resilience component. Applicants should clearly explain how their business responds to climate-related challenges or incorporates resilience into its operations. The climate-smart element should be an integral part of the proposed agribusiness rather than an unrelated addition to the business plan. Viable Revenue Model Business plans must demonstrate a viable revenue model. Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed agribusiness will generate income and how the business can achieve sustainable growth. A clear revenue model helps demonstrate that the proposed idea has commercial potential beyond the initial grant support. Capital Requirement Applicants must also provide an estimate of the capital required to start or scale their project. The estimate should give a clear indication of the financial resources needed to establish or expand the proposed agribusiness. Applicants should ensure that the capital requirement is realistic and connected to their business plan. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to young and emerging agripreneurs who meet the eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be aged 18 or above. - Be based in an OACPS member state. - Be young and emerging agripreneurs. - Complete all three mandatory Agribusiness e-Academy courses. - Have a valid course certificate ID. - Submit a business idea within the specified value chains. - Include a climate-smart or resilience component. - Present a viable revenue model. - Estimate the capital required to start or scale the project. One Business Idea Per Applicant Applicants can submit only one idea per application window. Participants should therefore select their strongest eligible business idea before submitting their entry. The proposed idea must meet the programme’s value-chain and climate-smart requirements. Certificate ID Requirement Applicants must provide a valid course certificate ID with their submission. This requirement confirms completion of the mandatory e-learning pathway. Entries without a valid certificate ID will not be considered. How to Submit an Application Eligible participants must submit their entries through the designated Kobotoolbox link. Applicants should ensure that their submission includes the required course certificate ID and presents a business plan focused on an eligible value chain. Before submitting, applicants should check that: - All three mandatory courses have been completed. - The certificate ID is valid. - The business idea falls within an eligible value chain. - The proposal includes a climate-smart or resilience component. - The business has a viable revenue model. - The required capital