Picture Tag: Jean-Claude, founder of Rwanda Bio Solution

Young people around Africa have proven that agriculture is not only a farm project, but it has become a way of life as the burgeoning agribusiness continues to soar through entrepreneurship and value addition. However, financial institutions have continuously disregarded this and rejected proposals to support these agribusinesses. JR Farms realized that acquiring funding has proven to be a constriction to most of these emerging and innovative SMEs across the value chain. It was a critical driving force behind the Green Agricultural Fund (GAF) launch to narrow the funding gap through a financing initiative of $5000/ beneficiary.

In development from the first cohort, GAF started an academy to resolve the knowledge gap among applicants. There has been significant progress since the applications opened in July 2021. 200 participants were trained across an 8 week period to ensure their businesses are investor-ready.

Eleven agribusinesses were shortlisted as part of the finalists for the GAF Cohort 2022.

Currently, the beneficiaries are supported by the Green Agricultural Fund and have been going through a series of due diligence processes to be held accountable for their projects. These eleven beneficiaries are well spread out throughout the three pilot countries, Rwanda, Uganda, and Nigeria. 

The finalists from the inauguration will receive funding sequel to the assessment of their business needs. 

Feel free to go through the individual profiles of the finalists so you get an opportunity to know them as they embark on their journey to be the next generation of Agripreneurs and position Africa on the path of decent job creation and food security.