Empowering Rural Women: KIC and Mastercard Foundation provide agro-processing equipment to trained women groups

Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), through its flagship initiative, the Women’s Bootcamp and with support from the Mastercard Foundation, has donated vital agro-processing equipment to women-led agribusiness groups in some selected communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana, at a ceremony attended by Municipal Agricultural Directors, Traditional Leaders, and Assembly Members. These groups made of young women were trained in entrepreneurship, agro-processing and alternative livelihoods, are now being equipped to expand their agribusiness operations and increase their impact.

The machinery distributed was tailored to the specific processing needs of each group, targeting key value chains such as rice, cassava, maize, and palm oil. In the Kwaebibirem District, a rice milling machine was handed over to the women group in Kade. In addition, a cassava processing machine and screw press were given to the group in Twumusu. Also, a corn milling machine was donated to the women’s group in Kwamang.

For the Upper West Akim District, the following items were distributed: a palm oil digester was donated to a palm oil processing group in Amanfrom; and a cassava processing machine was handed over to gari processors in Amaarkrom.

Speaking prior to the event, the Benjamin Gyan Kesse, Executive Director of Kosmos Innovation Center stated that “Kosmos Innovation Center is committed to helping women entrepreneurs in local communities add value to the agricultural value chain. Together with the Mastercard Foundation, by empowering these women groups, we are supporting these groups to scale up their operations, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director at the event, Terrence Tienaah, Programs Manager at KIC, also emphasized KIC’s continued role in capacity building, mentoring and resource mobilization for entrepreneurship development: “The Women Bootcamp is not just about training, it’s about creating long-term value for women-led agribusinesses. By providing the right tools and support, we are ensuring our entrepreneurs can take their businesses to the next level.”

The women groups who received the equipment expressed heartfelt appreciation to Kosmos Innovation Center and the Mastercard Foundation for their continued investment in their growth and success.

“We are truly grateful to KIC and Mastercard Foundation for not just training us but also following through with this generous support. This machine will change how we work, increase our production, and help us earn more to support our families,” Grace Asabea, a member of the gari processors in Amaarkrom remarked.

Another beneficiary from the rice processing group in Kade, Georgina Nornu added, “This is a dream come true. We’ve worked hard, and now we have the means to do even more. Thank you for believing in us.”

KIC’s Women’s Bootcamp Community engagement has built the capacity of more than 12,000 young women across the entire country, providing them with skills training, starter packs and input support. With support from the Mastercard Foundation, KIC continues to scale its impact, nurturing innovation and building sustainable, inclusive agribusiness ecosystems throughout Ghana. This effort reflects KIC’s broader mission to support youth- and women-led agribusinesses across Ghana, ensuring that rural entrepreneurs, especially women, are not left behind in the agricultural transformation journey.