Africa Agribusiness Academy Investing in knowledge for entrepreneurship Agribusiness incubation models and best practices: the Africa Agribusiness Academy model Author: Hans Nijhoff Wageningen University and Research centre Program director AAA 28 September 2015

Overview AAA Introduction: background, mission, criteria, structure. AAA Approach & Challenges Organization Members Business Clubs Knowledge Networks Training Online communication Resource center, Business bulletins Contact

The Africa Agribusiness Academy AAA was founded in 2010 by a group of innovative agrifood entrepreneurs from Eastern Africa, Wageningen University and Research centre, and Sokoine University of Agriculture. AAA members are active in a multitude of sectors a.o. Dairy, Poultry, Agri-input supply, Honey, Animal Feed. AAA members are a selected group of SMEs with a proven record of successful entrepreneurship based on fair business practices. Aim is to promote entrepreneurship and business development in the agrifood sector in Africa.

Mission The AA Academy is an entrepreneur platform, seeking to foster innovation and growth of small and medium scale agribusiness firms in Africa, with the ultimate aim to contribute to economic growth and improvement of rural income and food security in Africa

AAA Membership criteria According to set AAA business standards Owner-entrepreneur of a company with 5-100 employees Turnover between $50,000 -1,000,000 Proven link with small-scale farmers to market Willing to share knowledge and ideas Willing to coach others Willing to pay annual membership fees and one-off registration of $ 100 each (payable in local currency) Have audited accounts for at least two years

The AAA Organization Country chapters in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia & Rwanda Target is to reach 8 countries by 2017 AAA expects to have 800-1200 members by 2017 The AAA has a Pan-Africa Board, a secretariat, and country boards in each country In each country there is a AAA office with a full-time country coordinator supporting AAA activities

AAA Structure

AAA approach & challenges Organization Members & recruitment Business Clubs Knowledge Network Trainings

Organization: approach From small pilot to Pan African organization Project: implement the 5-year strategy Phasing in / phasing out approach

Organization: challenges Towards self-sustaining AAA: management, finance flows, reporting flows, overall control.

Members

Members & recruitment approach By invitation from AAA members Approaching relevant organizations PR and advertisement through media Strict procedure managed by the country chapter Based on code of conduct Decision to accept new members is with chapter Probation for a period of 1 year as aspirant member Coach the new member during first year

Members & recruitment challenges Criteria: being on top of selection & invitation Reality: new member company visit a must Fee: collection membership fees Active: participation - give and take Cost sharing: no free ride (allowances, support) Expectation: clear - tailor-making up to a point Termination: when do, when don’t..

Business Clubs

Business Club approach The Business Club is a place where members meet, share their experiences, link, learn, support & make business deals BCs have a leader and assistant, and implements with Country Coordinator annual needs-based BC plans Business Visits to AAA members / Agri-SME companies Invite guest speakers and experts Organize and participate in trainings Link to investors, technology institutes, other businesses Organize and participate in business events, symposia and trade fairs BCs leaders report: knowledge used for Resource Centre The BC leader and assistant are responsible for organizing the BC meetings and reporting on those meetings

Business club challenges Lead: organize, lead, report (voluntary) Distance: even within zone Participation: time dedication Micro-budgeting: control of budget

AAA Knowledge Networks

Knowledge Networks approach

Network and Sector Desk challenges Networks: leader – cross-cutting, abstract Sector desk: leader in field – time, value Distance: online groups, how scale up? Participation: online problems, easy app access Micro-budgeting: control of budget Strategy 2016-17: more sector-driven, less on country-driven focus. Incl. recruitment, B2B, trainings

Training

Training & Coaching approach Trajectories: Investment Planning + Managing Business Growth, in collaboration with funds / banks Stand-alone: Branding & Packaging, Marketing, Financial Management Systems, Inclusive Business Models By members for members (trainers, experts, coaches) Scaling up, at Network and BC level Members pay, continues quality upgrade

Training & Coaching challenges Remain focused: business growth Manage expectations: steps to funding Post training: keep the speed Funds: only best can go Costs versus output: balancing

AAA Online

Online Communication approach Platform for internal communication crucial / underestimated. Facilities: Blogs, Online discussions, Event calendar, Resources, Success stories, and so on. Facebook group for members-only, Facebook page for wider audience, and a Twitter account. Transfer to new lighter version website 2016: App that is accessible on smart phones and tables Platform also host of Resource Centre.

Online Knowledge approach Resource Centre: database with unique agrifood SME knowledge (non-academic), personal experience, contacts Since 2015: Business Bulletins available to members Search: for example Dairy + Finance, or Honey +Diversification CoP meetings or BC events produce the raw inputs

Business Bulletin approach Business Bulletins: 2 pages, so easy accessible to its members

Communication: Quarterly Newsletter

Measure your impact Three key conclusions: Average number of farmers an AAA member works has grown: before being AAA member it was 800, current average nearly 1,600 Average number of staff employed by an AAA member: was 29, current average 43; Average turnover of an AAA member: was 265.000 US$, current average nearly 400,000 US$. When asked if AAA made a difference in this growth: 75%+ said it had.

Country Chapter coordinators Director: hans.nijhoff@wur.nl (base in Arusha) Tanzania: grace.mhina@aa-academy.org Kenya: samuel.kabiru@aa-academy.org Ethiopia: kalkidan.habesha@aa-academy.org Rwanda: celestin.hakizamungu@aa-academy.org Uganda: mable.namala@aa-academy.org

Thank you for your attention @AAAcademy1 www.aa-academy.org Africa Agribusiness Academy