KIC signs partnership agreement with six more educational institutions to promote youth entrepreneurship

KIC has signed an MOU with six additional educational institutions, to promote and build the capacity of young people in entrepreneurship and agribusiness, within the agricultural and agri-adjacent sectors. This initiative forms part of the scaling up of KIC’s programs under its multi-year partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, to create dignified and fulfilling employment opportunities for young people.

The partnership agreement was signed with Pro-Vice Chancellors, Registrars and Principals of the following universities and agricultural colleges respectively, namely C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences; Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development; Damongo Agricultural College; Kwadaso Agricultural College; Ejura Agric College and Mechanization Center and Ohawu Agricultural College. This brings the total number of tertiary institutions and colleges on the program to 16.

The other 10 partnering universities already on the program include University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Coast (UCC), Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Ho Technical University (HTU), Koforidua Technical University (KTU), University of Development Studies (UDS), SD Dombo University of Business & Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), and University of Energy and Natural Resource (UENR).

Under the partnership, students and young people within the communities where these educational institutions are located will receive training and capacity building on entrepreneurship. Some of the programs that will be run within the 2-year agreement include the AgriTech Challenge Classic, AgriTech Challenge Pro, Young Farmers Business Academy and Young AgriPreneur Forum. Through the AgriTech Challenge Classic and Pro programs, students receive mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to start and grow their business. Students who go through unto the business incubation stage receive funding support from KIC together with its partners to enable them scale -up their businesses and become investor ready.

This year, KIC has also introduced the Young Farmers Business Academy (YFBA) to nurture and support the next generation of commercial farmers across all it partner universities and colleges. This model will focus on training young people in primary agricultural production, providing them with resources and financial support. Young people will also receive capacity building on the adoption of good agricultural practices, as well as farm business management.

Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director for KIC emphasized KIC’s commitment to youth development, working in collaboration with its partners to provide practical business training for young agripreneurs along the entire agricultural value chain. “We are committed to empowering young men and women to drive innovation in agriculture towards the attainment of SDG Goals”.

Under KIC’s multi-year partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, KIC is committed to train the next generation of young leaders.