Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC)
and Rabo Foundation are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to launch
the Business Booster Program, an agribusiness incubation initiative
designed to strengthen and scale 100 high-potential agri-SMEs across
Ghana.
The partnership reflects a shared
commitment to building resilient agricultural value chains, promoting inclusive
economic growth, and supporting entrepreneurs who are driving innovation within
Ghana’s agrifood systems.
The Business Booster Program is
designed to catalyse agripreneurship by providing targeted incubation support
to agribusinesses operating across key value chains, including shea,
soybeans, seeds, fonio, moringa, spices, cocoa processing, horticulture, and
oil palm.
The program seeks to address
critical growth constraints faced by agri-SMEs, including limited access to
structured business development support, weak operational systems, market
access challenges, and gaps in financial and strategic management capacity.
Through this initiative, KIC and
Rabo Foundation aim to enable participating businesses to become more
competitive, investment-ready, and capable of delivering sustainable economic
and social impact.
Speaking about the impact of the partnership in driving growth for
agribusinesses in Ghana, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director at KIC, said: “At
KIC, we believe that strong agribusinesses are essential to transforming
agriculture into a driver of inclusive economic growth. The Business Booster
Program represents our commitment to equipping entrepreneurs with the tools,
networks, and knowledge required to build resilient and scalable enterprises.
In partnership with Rabo Foundation, we are investing in the future of Ghana’s
agricultural economy.”
Highlighting the intended impact of the partnership on agribusiness
development, Rosina Obeng, Country Representative for Rabo Foundation in Ghana,
said: “Our mission is to strengthen agricultural value chains by
empowering farmer-centric small and medium-sized enterprises that form the
backbone of rural economies. Through our partnership with KIC, we are
supporting agri-SMEs to grow stronger, become more resilient, and unlock
opportunities that benefit farmers, farming communities and local markets
alike.”
The KIC-Rabo Foundation Business Booster Program will
provide participating agribusinesses with a comprehensive package of support
designed to accelerate growth and strengthen sustainability. Key benefits
include:
- Tailored
business incubation and advisory services
- Capacity
building in financial, operational, and strategic management
- Mentorship
and coaching from industry experts
- Market
readiness and value chain integration support
- Networking
opportunities with ecosystem actors, investors, and partners
- Strengthened
pathways to scale and long-term sustainability
The program is expected to contribute to improved business
performance, job creation, enhanced market access, and stronger integration of
SMEs into Ghana’s agricultural value chains.
The Business Booster Program will be implemented over a two-year
partnership period running through 2028, allowing for structured
incubation, sustained engagement, and measurable business growth outcomes.
The long-term nature of the partnership ensures that
participating businesses receive sufficient time and support to transition from
early-stage or growth-stage enterprises into more structured, competitive, and
scalable agribusinesses.
Qualified agribusinesses across Ghana are encouraged to
apply for the Business Booster Program.
About Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC)
Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) Ghana is a non-profit organization that invests
in young entrepreneurs and small businesses within the agricultural sector. We
empower entrepreneurs and provide funding support to turn their ideas into
viable, self-sustaining businesses, and we work alongside promising small
businesses to help them scale and reach their full potential. KIC was
established in 2016 as a CSR Program of Kosmos Energy. By December 2020, it had
been incorporated into a full-time NGO with its independent Board of Directors.
At KIC, our goal is to drive innovation and create and apply commercial
solutions to Ghana’s key development challenges, starting with agriculture.
Kosmos Innovation Center is an
independent organization, and its policies, operations, and program decisions
are determined by its own Board of Directors and senior leadership team.
Since its inception in 2016, more
than 145,255 young leaders have been trained in business skills and mindset
change about agriculture and entrepreneurship through participation in our
programs.
About Rabo Foundation
Founded in 1974 and rooted in Rabobank’s cooperative
heritage, Rabo Foundation is an independent public-benefit foundation that
provides early-stage impact finance and capacity-building support to
organizations working to improve livelihoods and strengthen resilience. Active
in over 20 countries, Rabo Foundation supports farmer-centric organizations —
including agricultural cooperatives, agri-SMEs, inclusive financial service
providers, and agri-fintechs — that help smallholder farmers access finance,
knowledge, markets, and sustainable growth opportunities.
Through a combination of financing, technical assistance,
knowledge, and networks, Rabo Foundation enables mission-driven organizations
to become stronger and more viable, build resilient livelihoods, and contribute
to a sustainable future. Its work supports more resilient food systems,
improved rural livelihoods, and inclusive economic development.
For more information about Rabo Foundation and to read the
latest impact report, please visit www.rabofoundation.com.