Two new landmark studies from the O-Farms program, implemented by Bopinc and Village Capital and supported by the IKEA Foundation, share key insights on the untapped potential of circular agribusiness to reduce food losses and create jobs in East Africa.
Bopinc and Village Capital today will launch two landmark studies that explore the untapped potential of circular agribusiness in East Africa to sustainably feed growing populations while contributing to economic growth, job creation and the stimulation of new
income-generating opportunities.
The reports Scoping The Potential of Circular Agribusiness assess the current state of
circular agribusiness in Ethiopia and Kenya, and identify key opportunities and challenges for circular agribusiness in East Africa’s two largest economies.
Key findings
- In Ethiopia, our research finds that the most promising opportunities for circular agribusiness lie in by-products from beer brewing, coffee roasting, and the processing of edible oils, livestock and cereals.
- In Kenya, the greatest circular potential is found in by-products and waste from processing cereals (especially maize and rice), fruits (mango and citrus),tree nuts (cashew and coconut) as well organic waste from agriculture and households.
- Across the region, a lack of supportive policies, low levels of technological
development, insufficient consumer awareness, and immature market demand for circular products are holding back growth of this transformative sector. - Specifically, our research finds that an underdeveloped SME sector of mostly informal businesses hinders the growth of circular agribusiness in Ethiopia, whereas in Kenya national-level challenges include suboptimal collection of inputs for circular agribusiness and limited access to tailored financial services for SMEs.
Investors, policymakers, agricultural trade organizations, wholesalers, researchers and other key stakeholders all have a role to play in making circularity a mainstream approach in East Africa. We encourage you to read Scoping The Potential of Circular Agribusiness reports for Ethiopia and Kenya to find out what role you can play.
These reports are produced by the O-Farms project, Africa’s first SME accelerator completely focused on circular agribusiness. Funded by the IKEA Foundation, the project engages local entrepreneur support organisations (ESOs) to accelerate 40 innovative circular agribusinesses in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
The first O-Farms cohort of 10 SMEs in Kenya have been selected, with a series of capacity building events currently underway. The training focuses on business model development, technical skills, investment readiness and networking with a community of investors and mentors, who work in and around the food system. Cohorts in Ethiopia and Uganda will follow.
Full reports
To access each of the O-Farms landscaping reports, see following links:
● Ethiopia full report
● Kenya full report
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