Phillip J Mostert 🇿🇦

Publication alert - 2nd publication of 2024. This paper examines capacity building from the perspective of business growth and success in small-scale agro-processing enterprises. Our analytical approach was underpinned by the inability of small-scale agri-enterprises to grow and succeed despite the South African government's support for capacity building through the economic empowerment programme initiative in the past three decades. The study was conducted in five of nine selected South African provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo, North-West, Free State, and Mpumalanga). This study was essential for developing an effective strategy for enhancing agri-business growth and success in South Africa. A concurrent mixed-methods research design was used, and data from 503 small-scale agro-processors was analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis techniques. The results revealed that capacity building (β = 0.274, p = 0.000) significantly influences the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors. Furthermore, the study showed that mentorship and technical and financial skills are critical types of capacity building that influence the economic empowerment of small-scale agro-processors in South Africa. It is recommended that all government or private stakeholders, including agricultural extension advisory services, invest in capacity-building programmes for small-scale agro-processors to achieve economic empowerment. Economically empowered small-scale agro-processors will significantly contribute to employment creation and better income distribution.

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Get the right information first and the right decisions will be made. Talk to the right and qualified expert with experience, track record and results to show. Better safe than sorry. Happy to listen and guide. Book a session today and avoid pitfalls that could cost you money. #advisory #agribusiness #JMSF #Africa #Nigeria

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Gaia Fund Managers Gaia calls for development of a Secondary market in Sub-Saharan Africa 🇿🇦 About Gaia Fund Managers Gaia is a South African impact fund manager offering investors access to compelling South African and Sub-Saharan African opportunities. Known for delivering predictable, inflation-linked, long-term cash-yielding returns, Gaia invests in both listed and unlisted vehicles, focusing exclusively on sustainable infrastructure and agriculture. ☀️ The mission: Gaia mobilizes investments into impactful, catalytic, and systemic solutions to drive positive change for both people and the planet. Using systems mapping, Gaia identifies opportunities that create meaningful impact in sectors crucial for sustainable growth. ⚡️ Why a secondary market is needed: Africa’s clean energy transition faces a major obstacle, namely the lack of a robust secondary market. Without it, early-stage investors in renewable energy projects are left with limited exit options, restricting investments into new projects. Despite abundant renewable resources, 600m Africans still lack access to electricity, an issue compounded by low investment levels in the region. ☀️ Gaia Africa Climate Fund: Gaia is raising $200m for the Gaia Africa Climate Fund (“GACF”) with the aim to acquire secondary equity interests in renewable energy, water, and sanitation projects across sub-Saharan Africa. The goal is to provide exits for early-stage investors, with reinvestment into greenfield projects to fuel ongoing development. 🔑 Insights from Jon Marius Hønsi Partnership Manager at Gaia noted the following: “In mature markets, long-term investors, such as pension funds and life insurers, play a key role by providing liquidity for early-stage investors. In sub-Saharan Africa, these players are largely absent, often due to perceptions of African investments as high-risk, low-return.” This misconception leaves renewable energy developers “stuck” without viable exits. Yet, amid inflationary pressures and a weak bond market, secondaries in Africa are beginning to draw international attention as stable, cash-flow investments that avoid greenfield development risks. 🇰🇪 🇧🇼 🇬🇭 The vision: Starting with stock exchange listings in Kenya, Botswana, and Ghana, GACF aims to create a pathway for African investors alongside international investors to participate in a thriving secondary renewable energy market. By enabling exits for early investors, Gaia hopes to catalyze sustainable infrastructure growth across Africa and establish a vibrant secondary market that drives long-term benefits for the region. See complete article here: https://lnkd.in/d7PpUVY8 Source: Jon Marius Hønsi, Gaia Fund Managers, Impact-Investor.com

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The TerraFund for AFR100 is launching; The launch will be marked by a tree-planting drive that will take place on November 4, 2024, in Pokot South Constituency, West Pokot County, Kenya. As part of the ambitious AFR100 goal of restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, we’re working with local communities and stakeholders to restore and rejuvenate the Karas, Kapkoris, and Parua forests. By integrating agroforestry, reforestation, and natural regeneration, this project aligns with Kenya’s vision of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, advancing biodiversity, soil health, and climate resilience. Community participation is key to this effort, ensuring sustainable outcomes that improve ecosystem services and boost resilience against climate threats. Key Focus Areas: 🌱 Ecosystem restoration through agroforestry and natural regeneration 🌍 Engagement of local stakeholders and communities for sustainable action 🌊 Improved hydrological cycles and increased water availability Kenya Platform For Climate Governance- KPCG WEST POKOT COUNTY Join us on this journey towards a sustainable Africa. #15BTrees #ClimateAction #EcosystemRestoration #AFR100 #Kenya2032 #SustainableDevelopment

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South Africa can use its leadership of the G20 to pursue a binding consensus on public stockholdings of critical staples, as a mechanism to ensure household food security in crises, while also supporting industrial and agrarian goals such as extending support to smallholder farmers. https://lnkd.in/d3iybix8

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Afri Soko Connect's work aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: 1. SDG 1: No Poverty By creating market opportunities and enhancing incomes for smallholder farmers, Afri Soko Connect contributes to poverty reduction in rural communities. 2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger Through support for organic farming and value addition, the company promotes sustainable agriculture and ensures food security. 3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. By empowering smallholder farmers and agro-processors, Afri Soko Connect creates job opportunities and fosters economic development. 4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The focus on organic products and sustainable practices promotes responsible consumption and production patterns. 5. SDG 13: Climate Action. Organic farming practices encouraged by Afri Soko Connect help reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and promote resilience to climate change. 6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By collaborating with farmers, processors, international markets, and institutions like embassies, Afri Soko Connect strengthens partnerships to achieve sustainable development. These SDGs reflect the company's commitment to sustainability, social impact, and economic empowerment.

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ICYMI: AgDevCo Secures $90M in Funding to Further Invest in African Agribusinesses Its original foundational endowment enabled AgDevCo to provide capital to agribusinesses that have directly created or sustained more than 15,000 jobs and have worked with 75,000 smallholder farmers to increase their income and their resilience to climate change. It also allowed AgDevCo to build the capability and track record putting it in the position to attract outside investment capital. Now with this latest investment, AgDevCo stated it will continue to grow its investment activities across sub-Saharan Africa. https://hubs.li/Q02Cd_0C0

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Today, CARICOM hosted a World Environment Webinar titled "Land, Climate, and Agriculture: Securing CARICOM Livelihood - 2025 and Beyond." Key Takeaways: 1. Biodiversity is fundamental to all life. 2. Agriculture should be recognized as a critical infrastructure. 3. Climate-smart and safe agricultural practices must be implemented. 4. Research agendas should focus on a unified call to action. WHY SHOULD CARICOM CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN THE FOCUS IS OFTEN ON CLIMATE CHANGE? Mr. Amsari Hosein: Our treatment of the environment exacerbates Climate Change, as everything is interconnected. The health of our lands directly impacts our quality of life. CARICOM states face shared challenges that cannot be solved by any single person or political party. Our sole survival depends on us caring for our environment. Mr. Calvin James: While CARICOM states contribute minimally to climate change, the effects of other countries' actions are significant for us as Small Island Developing States. We must do our part; the cumulative effect will contribute to climate change globally. WHAT ARE THE MAIN TAKEAWAYS FROM THE RECENT SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPMENT STATE'S CONFERENCE THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THIS DISCUSSION? Amrikha Singh: The aim is to enhance the resilience of our Small Island Developing States (SiDS), including their economies, social structures, and environmental dimensions, over the next 10 years. This will ultimately lead to safe and secure societies where people can make a living, grow their families, and enjoy a good quality of life. A key aspect of this discussion is our "25 by 2025" target. While we are on the right path, our challenge as SiDS lies in financing. This issue was also highlighted in the Antigua and Barbuda Outcome Document, emphasizing the need for more concessional financing options for SiDS. Another crucial point is that we can no longer afford to operate in silos. Although we often state our commitment to cross-sector collaboration, we must take meaningful steps to achieve it. We need to focus not only on formal education but also on informal education, enabling our citizens to make these connections and contribute effectively. ARE THERE ANY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR "LAND, CLIMATE, AND AGRICULTURE: SECURING CARICOM LIVELIHOOD - 2025 AND BEYOND?" -We must strengthen sustainable development units within CARICOM: -We must allocate more resources to build capacity and increase personnel. -We must Identify vulnerabilities and gaps in current policies for improvement. -We must enhance the enforcement of existing policies and legislation. These are just a few highlights from the webinar. To watch it in its entirety, follow the link below: https://lnkd.in/eqUaq_u8

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Strong partnerships, business training, and collective action are key drivers to Mpsea Cooperatives’ success. Through a partnership with Community Agribusiness Partners, Mpesa Cooperative builds resilient revenue streams, proving that farming can be a sustainable, profitable business. Fanny Kuwani, an Mpesa Cooperative member, shares her experience: "Historically, we relied on tobacco, which wasn’t profitable. CAP encouraged us to try soybeans, and after one season, we were surprised by the profit. We also began forming business groups, collectively marketing our products, and were linked to buyers offering competitive prices." This was only the beginning. Mpesa Cooperative diversified into poultry farming, earning more than $5,000 in profit last year. They now have 2,000 chickens and have received a grant of nearly $60,000 to further expand their agribusiness. Chief Palawo echoes this excitement: "Farming is a business, and I love what I’m seeing in my village. Mpesa Cooperative members are an inspiration, and they are changing the future of our community." Collectively we have shown that cooperative farming, partnerships & agribusiness can transform lives and build sustainable, thriving communities. 🌱 #agribusiness #cooperatives #Malawi #communitydevelopment #poultry #partnerships #resilience Read the full story in the link!

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As we are preparing to host the next in the series of webinars, next Tuesday, November 26, 15:00 CAT + SAST, here we are providing context to the subject of addressing barriers to finance for smallholder farmers in Southern Africa. Continued from previous posts... Potential Solutions and Recommendations To address these issues, a multi-faceted approach is necessary, focusing on policy reform, the development of innovative financing products, and an emphasis on financial literacy. Policy Reform and Financial Inclusion Initiatives Governments and financial institutions need to create more inclusive policies that recognize the specific needs of smallholder farmers and facilitate their access to finance. The African Union (2021, p. 120) calls for the adoption of policies that support tenure security for smallholder farmers to help them gain access to credit. Additionally, governments should consider subsidizing interest rates for agricultural loans or offering partial loan guarantees to encourage banks to lend to this sector. Digital Financial Solutions The expansion of mobile banking services presents an opportunity to bridge the finance gap. Digital platforms can facilitate faster, more affordable loans tailored to smallholder needs. For instance, mobile lending platforms can offer micro-loans that require no physical collateral but instead rely on a borrower’s transaction history as a form of credit assessment (World Bank, 2020, pp. 63–64). Mobile money services have already demonstrated success in East Africa, and scaling similar models across Southern Africa could increase agri-finance access for rural farmers and urban youth alike. Incentives for Youth and Urban Farming Ventures Involving youth in agriculture requires targeted support that acknowledges the economic realities and aspirations of young people. The United Nations (2021, pp. 31–33) advocates for providing entrepreneurship training and mentorship to young people interested in farming. Additionally, by offering tax incentives and grants for youth-led agricultural ventures, governments can stimulate increased participation in both rural and urban farming. Urban farming initiatives also need to be supported through access to micro-loans and low-interest credit, allowing for affordable entry into sustainable food production (African Union, 2021, pp. 130–132). Improving Financial Literacy Finally, financial literacy programs are crucial to ensuring that smallholder farmers and young entrepreneurs can make informed decisions. The World Bank (2020, p. 72) notes that financial literacy can improve repayment rates, reducing perceived lending risks. Through partnerships with NGOs, educational institutions, and digital platforms, comprehensive training programs could be implemented to enhance financial literacy in both rural and urban settings. Continued in next post

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Agriculture is widely considered as a key economic driver in Africa. This manifestation presents investors and enterprises from advanced economies with arrays of viable trade and investment opportunities within the region. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gkdKzqe #AgriBusiness #AfricanGrowthMarkets #ImpactInvestment #InternationalTrade #FDI

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Financing renewable energy projects. Political economy (vested interests), grid connection, and cost recovery risks are prominent. Follow Economist Impact events Sustainability Week in Cape Town today and tomorrow. Good Governance Africa

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🇲🇿 Discover Mozambique: Your Gateway to High-Impact Investments in Africa 🌍 🌍 Why Mozambique Should Be Your Next Investment Mozambique is fast becoming a top destination for global investors. With abundant natural resources and a strategic location, the country offers unmatched opportunities in the energy and mining sectors. Now is the perfect time to explore Mozambique's potential. ✨ Irresistible Investment Opportunities 🔋 Energy Powerhouse: Mozambique’s vast natural gas reserves, especially in the Rovuma Basin, are game-changers. The recent launch of gas exports from Coral Sul FLNG highlights the massive potential for LNG projects. 💎 Mining Riches: Mozambique is a leader in ruby production and has significant deposits of coal, graphite, and other minerals. The mining sector is ripe for growth and offers lucrative investment opportunities. 🏗️ Infrastructure Growth: Mozambique’s expanding economy demands robust infrastructure. Investing in ports, roads, and energy grids offers substantial returns while supporting the country’s development. 📈 A Ripe Investment Climate Mozambique has introduced new tax incentives and streamlined land use rights under the 2023 investment law. Coupled with visa liberalization and fiscal reforms, the business environment is more welcoming than ever. 🌱 Commitment to Sustainability Mozambique is dedicated to sustainable growth, actively participating in global initiatives like AIM4C and the Global Methane Pledge. Investors focused on ESG will find Mozambique to be a promising ground for responsible investments. 🔒 Tackling Challenges While challenges exist, the Mozambican government is working with international partners to ensure a stable and secure investment environment. 📢 Ready to Invest? Let’s Connect! Now is the time to invest in Mozambique. With its natural wealth and improving business climate, Mozambique offers vast opportunities. Let’s discuss how we can collaborate and make an impact together. Shape the future. Invest in Mozambique. 🚀🌍👌🏽 #InvestInMozambique #AfricaRising #EnergyInvestment #MiningOpportunities #InfrastructureDevelopment #GlobalEnergy #SustainableGrowth #EmergingMarkets #ESGInvesting #ImpactInvesting #AfricaInvestment #EconomicGrowth #NaturalResources #EmergingEconomies #InvestmentOpportunities #GlobalBusiness #InternationalTrade #InfrastructureInvestment #AfricanMarkets #SustainableDevelopment #LNGInvestment #MiningInvestment #BusinessGrowth #InvestInAfrica #ResourceWealth #ForeignInvestment #EconomicOpportunities #MarketExpansion #InvestmentStrategy #RenewableEnergy #ImpactInvesting #StrategicPartnerships #GlobalMarkets #InvestmentProspects #GlobalOpportunities #DevelopingMarkets #AfricaEconomy #InvestmentTrends #EnergyTransition #ResourceManagement #EconomicExpansion #LongTermGrowth #FDI #EmergingMarketInvesting #AfricaDevelopment #SustainableBusiness #GrowthMarkets #StrategicInvesting #EconomicDevelopment #InvestorRelations #AfricaGrowth #WealthCreation

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A proposed cane census assessment by the #Ugandan government has been met with resistance from farmers, who fear it could lead to the implementation of zoning restrictions. This follows the government's initiative to verify established nucleus estates and registered out-growers for sugar mills in the Busoga, Buganda, and Bunyoro regions. Despite the concerns, the census aims to achieve several positive outcomes. By collecting accurate data on cane availability and the number of out-growers, the initiative will streamline mill operations, address current challenges in cane growing and factory supply, and ultimately promote healthy business practices within the industry. Get the latest Africa sugar data and insights from Kulea. Go to www.kulea.com #Kulea #sugar

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BIODIVERSITY: AFRICAN GERANIUM MANAGEMENT PLAN OUT FOR COMMENT https://lnkd.in/eujy7xBf #environmentallaw #southafrica #conservation #medicinal #plants #biodiversity #management #plan #comments

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Africa it is time to act! with the land resources water resources and manpower available both technical and unskilled we must take this challenge seriously and do away with frivolous ceremonies and use the money to modernise and engage in meaningful agriculture livestock keeping and fisheries to feed our people and other continents. We use a lot of money on luxurious cars, travels, and politics instead of investing in small holder agriculture medium scale and large-scale farming. make it cheaper to invest in agriculture treat agriculture as a means to economic development first and foremost because it will provide jobs, incomes well-being, industries and economic growth it will bring in much needed forex for technological advances.

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