Agri SME Programme Opens Support for Youth- and Women-Led Agribusinesses
Youth- and women-led agribusinesses in five African countries can now apply for the Agri SME Enterprise Support Program.
It is an initiative designed to help promising agricultural businesses strengthen their operations, access new markets and build sustainable pathways for growth.
The programme, launched by AGRA in collaboration with Impact Africa Consulting Limited (IACL), will select 100 agribusinesses, with 20 enterprises chosen from each participating country: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Rather than providing a conventional cash grant, the programme will offer selected businesses tailored enterprise development support based on an assessment of their individual needs and growth challenges.
What the Programme Offers
Selected enterprises will undergo a structured enterprise diagnostic designed to examine different aspects of their businesses, including:
- Business models and growth strategies
- Financial management systems
- Production and aggregation capacity
- Supply chains and supplier management
- Quality management and food safety
- Certification and regulatory readiness
- Market access and buyer preparation
- Employment and inclusion
- Digital systems
- Overall growth potential
Following the assessment, participating businesses may receive customised support such as business and financial management assistance, supply-chain strengthening, coaching, technical support, market positioning, investor-readiness assistance and financial linkages.
The programme will also help enterprises develop practical 12- to 18-month growth and job-creation plans, giving business owners a clearer roadmap for expansion and employment generation.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is open to commercially active youth-led and women-led agribusinesses operating in any of the five eligible countries.
Applicants should:
- Be youth-led or women-led;
- Operate in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda or Tanzania;
- Be active in agriculture or the broader agri-food sector;
- Demonstrate credible potential for business growth and market expansion;
- Have the potential to create jobs;
- Operate within agricultural or food value chains;
- Work with, source from or provide services to farmers and other agricultural value-chain actors, including smallholder producers;
- Be willing to participate in enterprise diagnostics, coaching, site visits and other business development activities; and
- Not have previously benefited from YEFFA investment.
Businesses involved in production, aggregation, processing, agricultural inputs, logistics, services and market access are among those that can benefit from the programme.
Priority Areas
Particular attention will be given to enterprises contributing to the availability, accessibility and commercial viability of nutritious foods.
Businesses within the Generation Africa and Value4Her pipelines will also form part of the programme’s primary pipeline.
Eligible Countries
The programme is currently open to businesses in:
Nigeria | Ghana | Kenya | Rwanda | Tanzania
A total of 100 enterprises are expected to be selected, with 20 businesses from each country.
Application Deadline
Deadline: September 11, 2026
Programme format: Online
Programme commencement: January 1, 2027
Duration: One year
How to Apply
Interested agribusinesses should complete the programme’s online enterprise diagnostic/application form, providing accurate information about their business, operations, financial position, challenges, growth plans and support needs.
Applicants should note that completing the form does not automatically guarantee selection. Applications will be assessed, and selected enterprises will proceed to the next stages of the programme.
Apply through the official application form:
Agri SME Enterprise Support Programme Application
For enquiries or clarification about the application process, applicants can contact Impact Africa Consulting Limited at erastus.makena@impactingafrica.com.
With only 100 enterprises set to benefit across five countries, the programme presents an opportunity for ambitious African agribusinesses to strengthen their internal systems, improve market readiness and build the capacity needed to scale sustainably.
