KIC and Rabo Foundation engage Stakeholders at the launch of Business Booster Program for Agri-SMEs

Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), in partnership with Rabo Foundation, has officially introduced the KIC-Rabo Foundation Business Booster Program to key stakeholders across Ghana’s agribusiness ecosystem during a stakeholder engagement meeting held in Accra.

The engagement brought together representatives from government institutions, private sector companies, agro-industries, market access organizations, investors, business support organizations, and ecosystem partners to announce the partnership and build a collaborative platform for the successful implementation of the programme.

The Business Booster Program is a two-year incubation initiative that will support 100 high-potential agri-SMEs operating across priority agricultural value chains, including shea, cashew, soybeans, fonio, moringa, spices, sesame and other niche seeds, cocoa, sweet potatoes, and other selected value chains.

Opening the engagement, representatives of KIC underscored the importance of collaboration in developing resilient agribusinesses capable of creating employment, strengthening value chains, and contributing to Ghana’s agricultural transformation.

The stakeholder engagement, they noted, was not only an opportunity to formally announce the partnership with Rabo Foundation but also to mobilize strategic partners whose networks and expertise will be instrumental in identifying and connecting high-potential agribusinesses to the programme.

“No single organisation can transform an entrepreneurial ecosystem on its own,” KIC noted during the meeting. “By bringing together government agencies, private sector actors, investors, market facilitators, and development organizations, we are creating an ecosystem that enables entrepreneurs to access the knowledge, partnerships, and opportunities they need to grow sustainable businesses.”

Representatives from Rabo Foundation reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening inclusive agricultural value chains by supporting enterprises that drive innovation, improve farmer livelihoods, and contribute to resilient food systems.

“Agri-SMEs are key to agricultural development, providing farmers with essential products and services while creating employment, supporting rural economies and strengthening local food and nutrition security” Rabo Foundation stated. “Through this partnership with KIC, we are investing in businesses with the potential to create long-term impact across agricultural value chains while strengthening the broader agribusiness ecosystem,” said Rosina Obeng, Country Representative for Rabo Foundation in Ghana.

A key feature of the engagement was the formal introduction of the Business Booster Program to stakeholders. Also, there was a keynote address on the state of agri-SME development in Ghana by Kwabena Baffour-Kumah, Research & Advocacy Manager at GIRSAL. In his presentation, he highlighted the important role of business support enterprises in providing information resources, agri-SME capacity development, coaching and networking that help agri-SMEs address challenges to accessing financial services.

The session also outlined the application process, providing stakeholders with information they could share within their respective institutions and networks to encourage eligible agribusinesses to apply.

The Business Booster Program will provide participating SMEs with tailored business incubation support, including business diagnostics, mentorship, coaching, capacity building, market readiness support, and strategic networking opportunities designed to strengthen business performance and position enterprises for sustainable growth.

Participants welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the importance of coordinated action in addressing the challenges faced by agribusinesses. Discussions highlighted opportunities for continued collaboration to improve market access, strengthen business capabilities, facilitate investment readiness, and accelerate the growth of competitive agricultural enterprises across Ghana.

The KIC-Rabo Business Booser is an implementation of a two-year partnership between KIC and Rabo Foundation, running through 2028, and signals a shared commitment to building stronger agribusinesses, more resilient value chains, and an enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurship.

Applications for the Business Booster Program are now open. Eligible agri-SMEs operating within the programme’s target value chains are encouraged to apply through the Kosmos Innovation Center website after reviewing the programme eligibility requirements and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).