International conference & expo on rebranding agribusiness to unlock youth potential

More than 700 delegates from around the world will converge in Ghana from the 04th to 6th October 2016 at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), to attend the 2nd Pan African Agri-Business Incubators Conference and Expo.

The event is organized by African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) and supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), African Union (AU), the Ghana Ministry of Agriculture amongst others.

The conference, “Turning science into business: Inclusive agribusiness incubation for vibrant economies” will showcase opportunities for youth in agribusiness incubation, different public and private sector actors supporting enterprising start-ups, SMEs engaged in value chain transformation, financing agencies supporting the establishment of agribusiness ventures, agencies supporting trade and investment and banks providing financing and de-risking the sector.

The inaugural African Youth in Agribusiness day will be celebrated on 5th October 2016, a day especially dedicated to youth in agribusiness. This day’s focus and theme is “Rebranding Agribusiness to Unlock Youth Potential”.

The diversity of speakers at the conference represents global business and opinion leaders, dignitaries, ambassadors, CEOs, investors, bankers from leading institutions such as FAO, World Bank, FARA Board, Acumen Fund, Lead, World Bank group, AfDB among others. Testimonials from incubators

‘’I started as a sole proprietor but now I am the owner and manager of an enterprise. I now employ 10 workers where 6 are university graduates despite the fact that I am yet to graduate, and I generate $15,000 monthly income’’ Mr. Sam, one of the beneficiaries of the FARA UniBRAIN in Uganda proudly proclaims.

“I am now able to have seedling germination success rate of 95% - 98% while previously the best would be 70%. This is after going through the AgBIT seedling propagation incubation for six months’’ Mr David, Leader of cluster farmers undergoing seed propagation incubation at AgBIT in Zambia. “I have lost my microscope since 2010 when we established the UniBRAIN incubator in Ghana. Many other scientists have joined and we see results of our research now through jobs and business created through research and technology transfer” Dr. Adu, CEO CCLEAR

For more information about the conference

Dr Alex Ariho

Chief Executive Officer,

African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN)

Email: alexariho@africaain.org

info@africaain.org

www.africaain.org

Tel. +233 501481646

Brief overview of the Conference

Topics to be covered and discussed during the conference:

• Megatrends and Agribusiness opportunities in Africa.

• Agribusiness Incubation a bridge to Industrial Growth and Development.

• Youth engagement in Agribusiness Trade and Investment in Africa.

• Innovative financing Models as drivers for Agricultural Transformation in Africa.

• Policy and Agriculture Transformation in Africa – CAADP experiences and opportunities for Non State Actors.

• Global partnerships and Networks for Agriculture Value Chains Development.

• Agribusiness Education and Agriculture research for Economic transformation in Africa.

• Agriculture Mechanization for changing the landscape of smallholder farmers in Africa.

• Investment opportunities in Agriculture Seed Sector Development in Africa.

About AAIN

AAIN is an initiative for advancing agribusiness incubation and improved agribusiness education in Africa. The network works with key strategic partners to deliver on her mandate across the continent. Last year, AAIN held the 1st African Agribusiness Incubation conferences in Nairobi-Kenya which was attended by more than 450 delegates from all over the world. Conference from 2015 outputs:

? Over 110 exhibitors showcasing their ventures present - representing both individuals and organizations

? Over 55 youth in agribusiness B2B deals sealed

? International Market exposure created for over 150 enterprises

? Awards extended to novel business ideas to the tune of $15,000

? Numerous new contacts businesses and networks established

In less than 5 years, managing agribusiness incubators under the FARA-UniBRAIN initiative has reached the following achievements, to mention just a few:

- More than 15,000 jobs created in 7 African countries

- Over 30,000 households supported with livelihoods

- More than 1000 Students taken through internship and industrial attachment

- Over 250 Enterprises facilitated with local and international markets

- Above 200 Start-up incubates supported

- And over 75 Technologies commercialized

About MOFA

Mandate

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) is the lead agency and focal point of the Government of Ghana, responsible for developing and executing policies and strategies for the agriculture sector within the context of a coordinated national socio-economic growth and development agenda. By means of a sector-wide approach, the Ministry’s plans and programmes are developed, coordinated and implemented through policy and strategy frameworks. In this regard, MOFA facilitated the preparation of the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) and the Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (METASIP 2010-15).

Vision

The vision of the Ministry is a modernised agriculture culminating in a structurally transformed economy and evident in food security, employment opportunities and reduced poverty.

Mission

MOFA’s Mission is to promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development, effective extension and other support services to farmers, processors and traders for improved livelihood.