Access to Finance for Agro-Industrialization in Africa

How to turn capital into performance and scale

As Africa’s agrifood systems evolve, transforming financing into tangible economic impact remains essential. The Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) works to strengthen agricultural value chains by supporting effort to ensure that capital is not only accessed but used productively to unlock agro-industrial transformation

On 7 July 2026, AUDA-NEPAD, ABF and partners will host the second session in the Access to Finance Expert Talk Series for Africa, themed: "Access to Finance for Agro-Industrialization in Africa". Building on the momentum of the first talk focused on agribusiness transformation, this session shifts the conversation from securing finance to using it effectively to drive agro-industrialization.

The webinar brings together decision-makers from agribusiness, finance and policy to explore how access to capital can translate into stronger operational performance, higher capacity utilisation and increased value addition across African agrifood systems.

From financing gaps to performance gains
While access to finance remains a critical constraint for agribusinesses, evidence increasingly shows that capital alone does not guarantee growth. Many agro-processors across Africa continue to operate below installed capacity due to persistent structural and operational challenges.

Drawing on a recent AUDA-NEPAD and ABF-supported baseline study covering agro-processors in Kenya, Malawi, Ghana and Nigeria, the session will highlight the interconnected factors limiting performance. These include inconsistent raw material supply, technology gaps, logistics inefficiencies, limited storage and cold-chain infrastructure, along with weak operational systems.

The discussion will move beyond diagnosis to practical solutions. Participants will explore how targeted investments in equipment upgrades, maintenance systems, automation, quality management and supply chain coordination can unlock productivity gains and enable enterprises to scale.

Aligning with continental priorities
The Expert Talk aligns with the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026 to 2035 and the Kampala Declaration, which prioritise sustainable food production, agro-industrialization and investment mobilisation. By focusing on the productive use of finance, the session contributes directly to continental goals of reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening domestic processing, expanding intra-African trade and building competitive value chains.

The discussion positions finance as a strategic enabler of transformation. It underscores the need for integrated approaches that combine investment with technical support, ecosystem coordination and performance-oriented management.

Expert insights and practical learning
The session will feature a diverse panel of experts representing policy, finance and enterprise perspectives. Speakers include:

• Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD
• Siny Samba, Co-Founder and CEO of Le Lionceau
• Eric Picard, Chief Strategy Officer at Access to Finance Rwanda
• Charles Muigai, CEO of Mazaopesa Ltd and lead author of the agro-processing baseline study
• Daniel Annerose, Founder and CEO of agCelerant
• Agatha Thuo, CEO of Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET)
• Moderator: Dr Hamady Diop, AfriCatalyst

Who should attend?
Whether you're an agribusiness leader, investor, policymaker or development practitioner, you'll gain practical insights into building stronger, more competitive value chains across Africa.

Register to join the conversation and learn how finance can be translated into tangible agro-industrial performance and scale.

Date and time: 7 July 2026, 11:00 to 13:00 GMT   Format: Online webinar  | Language: English with French interpretation

Participants are encouraged to revisit the first session in the series on Access to Finance for Agribusiness Transformation in Africa, which explored financing challenges and de-risking strategies for agri-MSMEs and cooperatives.

Money moves. Knowledge stays.
As the ABF programme enters its final phase, this Expert Talk series plays a key role in capturing and sharing lessons from years of support to agribusinesses across Africa. Through knowledge exchange and practical learning, the series aims to ensure that successful approaches remain accessible and transferable beyond the lifetime of the programme.

This Expert Talk is organised by the Agri-Business Facility for Africa ABF as part of the Joint Action "Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains", co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa agreement with OACPS and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.