Call for Applications: Agribusiness Product Innovation Support 2026 for SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), food processors and agribusiness entrepreneurs in Nigeria can apply for the 2026 Agribusiness Product Innovation Support initiative.
This initiative aims to help businesses develop innovative products using dairy, cocoa and their by-products.
The opportunity is offered through the Value Chain for Agribusiness, Climate and Employment (VACE) Project, implemented by the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union (EU).
Applications close on October 27, 2026. Successful applicants will receive technical assistance, business development support and opportunities to showcase their products to potential customers and buyers.
About the Agribusiness Product Innovation Support 2026
The initiative is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agribusiness sector by helping small businesses transform agricultural raw materials into innovative, market-ready products.
Through the programme, eligible businesses can receive guidance to develop new products, improve existing offerings and explore opportunities to expand their customer base.
The initiative places particular emphasis on value addition in the dairy and cocoa industries, including the commercial use of their by-products. It seeks to encourage product innovation, improve local processing capacity and help agribusinesses build more competitive and sustainable operations.
The programme is particularly relevant to entrepreneurs looking to move beyond selling raw agricultural commodities into processing, manufacturing and developing value-added products.
Benefits of the Programme
Selected businesses will have access to several forms of support designed to strengthen their product development and market positioning.
Technical product development support: Participants will receive assistance to develop, improve and prepare new products for the market using dairy, cocoa or their by-products.
Business development support: The initiative will help participating businesses strengthen their products and improve their business operations.
Market exposure: Selected enterprises will have opportunities to showcase their products at market exhibitions, potentially connecting them with customers, buyers and other industry stakeholders.
Product innovation collaboration: Participants may have opportunities to collaborate with the VACE Project on product development, monitoring and evaluation activities.
The published opportunity focuses on technical and business support rather than direct financial assistance. No specific cash grant amount has been announced.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to eligible agribusiness SMEs, food processors and product innovators involved in dairy or cocoa processing, food production and related value-added industries.
Businesses operating in the following sectors may be eligible:
- Dairy and cocoa processing
- Food and beverage production
- Bakery and pastry
- Agrifood processing
- Cosmetics and personal care
- Health and wellness products
- Nutraceuticals and other related value-added industries
Applicants must demonstrate that dairy, cocoa or their by-products will be used in the proposed new or improved product.
Eligibility Requirements
Interested businesses should meet the following requirements:
- Have experience in dairy or cocoa processing, food production or a related value-added industry.
- Be willing to develop and launch at least one new product using dairy, cocoa or their by-products.
- Have an existing product or a clear plan to develop a new product or improve an existing one.
- Operate a legally recognised business with valid registration and permits, or provide evidence that the registration process is underway.
- Have at least one existing marketing channel, such as social media, direct sales, retail outlets or supermarkets.
- Be willing to share their product recipe with the project.
- Be prepared to participate in monitoring and evaluation activities.
- Demonstrate a commitment to innovation, improved production processes and market expansion.
Applicants should carefully review the programme requirements, particularly the conditions relating to sharing product recipes, before submitting their proposals.
How to Apply
Eligible businesses interested in the Agribusiness Product Innovation Support 2026 should prepare a detailed proposal outlining their product concept, business activities and plans for developing or improving a product using dairy, cocoa or their by-products.
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Review the programme requirements and the VACE Product Innovation Concept Note.
- Prepare a proposal explaining the product idea, its intended market and its potential commercial value.
- Provide relevant information about the business, its registration status and existing marketing channels.
- Submit the proposal by email to flora.asibe@giz.de.
- Use Agribusiness Product Innovation Support 2026 as the email subject line.
Application deadline: October 27, 2026.
Apply via email: flora.asibe@giz.de
Programme information: <Link url=”https://tpi.com.ng/agribusiness-product-innovation-support/”
SMEs are encouraged to submit their proposals before the deadline. Applicants should note that the opportunity provides technical assistance, business development and market exposure; it does not specify a direct cash grant.
