GAWU warns of impending food crisis

March 18, 2025

The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) has called on the government to urgently address financial and operational challenges at the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to prevent a food crisis.

They noted that NAFCO, responsible for the national emergency food programme, was underfunded and required about GHS700 million to effectively carry out its responsibilities.

Both the immediate past Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hanan Abdul-Wahab, and the current one, Mr. George Abradu-Otoo, have said that the company could not respond to any disasters in its current state.

GAWU said that NAFCO was struggling to meet its mandate of purchasing, preserving, and distributing excess produce, such as maize, paddy rice, and soya beans from farmers.

The company, for almost a decade, had mostly stored imported food items and a few local products for distribution to secondary schools under the Free Senior High School programme.

Dr. Pascal Kaba, Deputy General Secretary of GAWU, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the government must stop paying lip service to the agriculture sector.

He noted that NAFCO’s warehouses did not meet minimum standards set by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), citing inadequate financing as the main problem.

Dr. Kaba called for immediate resource allocation, proper warehouses, and the establishment of produce buying centres closer to farming zones.

He urged the government to construct modern irrigation infrastructure and increase the number of officers assisting farmers to engage in year-round farming.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation. We have about 1.9 million hectares of irrigable land, but we are not making use of it.

“We keep getting spillage from the Bagre Dam, and all this water goes to waste. Meanwhile, in Burkina Faso, they have constructed two major dams for irrigation purposes.”

Dr. Kaba expressed concern over the lack of an agriculture service, asking, “The structure is bad for us. We do not have an agriculture service. How can that be possible?

“How can you have a whole sector, which is the main backstay of the economy, and it does not have a service?”

He recommended the creation of a Ghana Agriculture Service, like the Ghana Education Service and Ghana Health Service, to implement agriculture policies.

At a recent handing-over ceremony, Mr. George Abradu-Otoo promised to reposition NAFCO to ensure consistent food availability and price stability in the domestic market.

“Our focus is to fulfill our mandate by ensuring greater public access to foodstuffs, storing them for the lean season, and guaranteeing fair prices for farmers,” he said.

By Francis Ntow

AgriQuinns: A Story of Resilience of four young women agripreneurs

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March 18, 2025

The story of AgriQuinns is one of resilience, determination and drive for innovation within the agribusiness sector. Founded by four dynamic women in 2023 through the KIC AgriTech Challenge Classic, their journey is a testament to success and achievements for young women agripreneurs who want to make a difference in the agricultural sector.

Turning Agricultural Waste into Opportunity

AgriQuinns Ghana is a startup business that specializes in producing organic fertilizer from coconut waste, promoting sustainable farming practices while tackling environmental challenges. By repurposing agricultural byproducts, they provide an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, helping farmers enhance soil fertility, increase crop yields, and reduce dependence on synthetic inputs. Their approach not only contributes to sustainable agriculture but also supports rural communities in achieving economic growth and food security. Their approach shows that there are opportunities for many young people within a circular economy to create employment and add value along the agricultural value chain.

Overcoming Challenges with Determination

For many startups, funding is often seen as the defining factor for success. However, AgriQuinns Ghana has demonstrated that true entrepreneurial success is built on passion, perseverance, and adaptability and good understanding of your business environemnt. Despite not securing KIC funding at the AgriTech Pro Finals stage in 2024, the team leveraged their expertise, network, capacity building received from the training and available resources to scale their operations, attract customers, and make an impact in the agricultural space.

A Role Model for Young Women in Agribusiness

The journey of AgriQuinns Ghana is an inspiration to young women entrepreneurs. Their story highlights the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and unwavering belief in one’s vision. As the agribusiness sector continues to grow, their leadership serves as a testament to the transformative power of female-led innovation in agriculture.

As an all-female led business, their success shows that young women can make significant difference within the agricultural value chain.

A Message to Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs

On their journey, AgriQuinns Ghana embodies a powerful lesson: funding is not the only gateway to success. With a strong vision, innovative solutions, and relentless determination, women in agribusiness can build, scale, and sustain impactful businesses that drive change in their communities.

“Success is defined by the impact you create and the challenges you overcome. At AgriQuinns, we chose to keep pushing, and today, we are proving that resilience can lead to remarkable achievements.” – Jessica Awaliga, Co-founder AgriQuinns Ghana

Through Kosmos Innovation Center’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, many young people including women have received training in entrepreneurship providing employment opportunities. Kosmos Innovation Center is proud to celebrate AgriQuinns Ghana’s journey as part of our commitment to empowering women in agribusiness. Their story is a beacon of hope for young women aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in the agricultural sector.

Orange Growers Association engages Ministry of Food and Agriculture

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March 18, 2025

The Orange Growers Association (OGA) has engaged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in a high-level discussion to address critical challenges in Ghana’s citrus industry, including financing constraints, market inefficiencies, and post-harvest waste management.

The meeting, held in Accra, brought together key industry stakeholders, processors, and government representatives to explore solutions aimed at stabilising and growing the sector.

A statement issued in Accra by OGA said a key issue highlighted during the meeting was the lack of working capital for citrus farmers, with many struggling to sustain operations due to long payment cycles from processors.

It said although Ghana produced 440,000 tons of citrus in 2024, only 40 percent of the harvest was monetised, leaving farmers vulnerable to financial distress.

Mr Theodore Tsidi Kloba, Business Development Manager at OGA said “Our biggest challenge is liquidity. We do not have the working capital to wait 60 days for payments. Farmers need immediate financial support to keep their farms running,”

He explained that his outfit would like to leverage existing parastatals of the Ministry to find solutions to the prevailing issues.

The meeting also addressed the significant volume of citrus waste, which presents an untapped US$100 million market opportunity in animal feed, biofertilisers, and essential oil extraction.

“Right now, we are throwing away what could be a major revenue stream, if we invest in citrus waste processing, we can generate additional income for farmers while reducing environmental damage,” he added.

He said one of the most promising solutions discussed was black soldier fly farming, where citrus waste is used to produce protein-rich feed for livestock.

“We need to stop seeing waste as a burden and start seeing it as a business opportunity”

“This is a defining moment for Ghana’s citrus industry. With the right financial and policy interventions, we can transform citrus farming into a high-value agribusiness sector,” Mr. Kloba added.

Mr Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture in response to these concerns outlined potential interventions, which aim to integrate processing, storage, and financing support for farmers.

He outlined the government’s commitment to transforming the citrus industry into a major economic pillar.

He said the citrus sector represents one of our most promising agricultural frontiers, with production volumes now surpassing even some of our traditional staples.

“This government recognises that unlocking its full potential requires addressing the current liquidity challenges faced by our farmers and processors,” he stated.

Mr Kwasi Etu Bonde, Technical Director at MoFA, also said the Ministry has already re-evaluated its framework to provide critical support for the industry.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to pursue financial interventions, including a structured revolving fund for citrus farmers.

There was a consensus to develop a waste-to-value strategy that supports livestock feed production, fertiliser manufacturing, and citrus oil extraction as well as engage other stakeholders, including policymakers, financial institutions, and private investors to create a sustainable citrus value chain.

By Edward Dankwah, GNA

Ghana’s cocoa supply shortage hampers production – Plot Enterprise

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March 18, 2025

The Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, a cocoa processing company, at Eshiem in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region, says inadequate cocoa beans on the market is having a major toll on their production.

It said currently, the demand for cocoa beans for processing into finished and semi-finished products was exceeding supply, hence, hampering production.

Mr Alfred Ampah, Plant Manager of Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, who made this known during the Regional Minister’s visit to company, said: “Ghana is the world’s second largest cocoa producer but is not able to handle the cocoa industry with adequate supply of cocoa beans to companies for improved production.”

He attributed the situation to several factors, including, diseases such as swollen shoot virus and black pod, which he added, had affected over 80,000 hectares of cocoa farms in the country, hence, reducing yields by up to 50 per cent in some areas.

Aside from that, he said deforestation and illegal mining activities had significantly contributed to the decline in cocoa production.

“Another factor is that the low prices being offered or set aside by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) often irritates farmers who would rather smuggle their cocoa beans into neighbouring French West African countries to sell and make enough profit, than sell in Ghana here,” he added.

Mr Ampah stated that the situation was further complicated by the fact that Ghana’s cocoa industry was heavily reliant on exports, with over 80 per cent of its cocoa beans being shipped abroad in their raw state.

According to him, part of the production lines of the company had been shut down, following the shortage of cocoa beans on the market.

He said: “This is an unfortunate situation so government must do something about the shortage of cocoa beans in the country so that we can stay in business.”

Responding to the issue, Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, assured the company of his commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to find lasting solution to the problem.

He said: “With improved supply of cocoa beans, I believe the company can expand its operations and ultimately create more jobs for unemployed youth, particularly those in the Western Region.”

By Emmanuel Gamson

Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen elects new regional executives

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March 18, 2025

The Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) has held its Greater Accra Regional Delegate Congress to elect new executives for the championing of the interests of fishers and farmers.

The congress held on the theme “Uniting to Feed the Nation” brought together agricultural and fishing personnel from the 29 districts in the Greater Accra Region.

Nene Tekpertey Agblize I, Mankralo of Kordiabe Legbleti and GNAFF President, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the association had been a mouthpiece for the farmers and fishermen since its formation.

He said the association helped in policy formulation for the agricultural sector, adding that the association received equipment support from the government and distributed it to the members.

He said it was unfortunate that such support had now been politicised, adding that the farmers day celebration, which was to celebrate all farmers and fishermen, had now been reduced to mere ceremony, lamenting that now the association was not given the opportunity to assist in policy implementation and ceremonies such as the farmers day as it used to be and had become a challenge for the association’s activities.

Nene Agblize therefore called on the relevant ministries to partner them in the formulation and implementation of policies that affect fishermen and farmers and urged members of GNAFF to agree with the executives to reset the association to feed the nation in line with their slogan and mission.

Mr. Francis Opai Tetteh, the Consultant for the association, said similar congresses would be held in the other regions by the end of July this year to ensure that the association got all its regional executives.

On some of the challenges confronting the association, he indicated that unity, funding, and political interference were their major problems and therefore called on the government to support them.

He reminded the new executive to work hard towards uniting and generating funds for the group to better the lives of fishermen and farmers.

The newly elected Greater Accra Regional GNAFF executives are Mr. Vincent Mensah, also known as Nene Angmor Owuoadjao II, Regional Chairman; Mr. Emmanuel Annang Akoto, Vice Chairman; Ms. Mabel Delassie Awuku, Regional Secretary; Mr. John Kabutey, Regional Organiser; Mr. Kannortey Onyameh, Regional Financial Secretary; and Ms. Vida Ocran, Regional Treasurer.

By Laudia Sawer

Oboyow forest reserve reclaimed for farming

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March 18, 2025

In a ground-breaking initiative, Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, Central Regional Minister, has secured more than 100 acres of the degraded Oboyow forest reserve in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District to transition illegal miners into farming.

This innovative approach aims to enhance national food security while providing alternative livelihoods for those involved in illegal mining.

Broadly, the initiative would address deforestation, improve rural livelihoods and provide a sustainable solution to illegal mining by creating jobs, particularly for the youth.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Forestry Services Commission (FSC), under the FSC’s Modified Taungya System (MTS) reforestation scheme that allowed farmers to intercrop food crops with timber trees, particularly Cinderellas, sharing benefits from the timber harvest.

The Central Regional Minister, at a visit to hand over about 50-acre land to two of the beneficiaries, narrated the bravery of 28-year-old twin brothers, Oteng Mensah Panyin and Mr Oteng Mensah Kakra at an illegal mining site at Asaman in the Assin Central Municipality.

According to the Minister, while other illegal miners fled on seeing an anti-galamsey team on site, the bold twins stood their ground and shared their harrowing story of struggling to make ends meet after over a decade in illegal mining.

Moved by their plight, the Minister, who incidentally is also a twin, proposed an innovative solution of transitioning them into agriculture.

The Minister indicated that addressing unemployment was crucial in preventing young people from engaging in illegal mining with more lands available for those willing to make the change.

“In fighting the menace of illegal mining in Ghana, we the stakeholders need to speak to the conscience of the illegal miners whenever we get the opportunity because the effects of their activities affect all.

“The youth often claim they have no employment, so I have secured for them more than 100 hectares and there are available lands for others who will opt out of galamsey,” he said.

Sharing their joy and frustrations, the Oteng Mensah’s, narrated how they had always dreamed of building a better life for themselves, however, after completing senior high school, they found themselves struggling to find employment.

With no jobs in sight, they were lured into illegal mining, a practice that had become rampant in their community.

According to them, for 10 years, they travelled to Assin-Asamang in the Fosu, where they toiled in the mines, braving harsh conditions and risking their lives searching for gold.

Despite their hard work, they had little to show for it, but upon the Minister’s engagement, they realised that illegal mining had not only failed to provide them with a sustainable livelihood but also had a devastating impact on the environment.

The twins told the GNA their activities, among others, polluted water sources, vegetative cover, and the once-fertile land was left barren, hence their bold decision to opt out of illegal mining and turn to farming instead upon the Minister’s support.

They wanted their story to serve as a call to action for all those engaged in illegal mining to abandon the destructive practice and instead, explore alternative livelihoods that promote environmental conservation.

“We have seen the devastating impact of illegal mining on our environment and our community. We want to encourage others to join us in finding sustainable ways to earn a living and protect our natural resources for future generations.”

“Farming has given us a new lease on life. We are proud to be contributing to the preservation of our environment and promoting a culture of sustainability in our community,” Mr Panyin said

The Minister’s effort was highly commended by Mr Emmanuel Prprah, Ranger Supervisor, who highlighted the project’s potential impact to restore forest cover, address timber deficits, and contribute to national food security.

The MTS is considered a potential win-win practice for forestry and adaptation, as it addresses both environmental and socio-economic needs.

He said: “The twins’ transformation from illegal miners to environmentally conscious farmers is a testament to the power of innovation and determination. Their story inspires hope for a brighter future, where sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation go hand-in-hand,” he added.

By Isaac Arkoh, GNA

COCOBOD promotes consumption of local, traditional diets

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March 18, 2025

The Bono Regional Office of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has organised a food bazaar to promote the consumption of local and traditional diets.

The event, held at the Cocoa Guest House in Sunyani was to commemorate the heritage month and showcased varieties of local foods.

Staff of the COCOBOD prepared diets including “Fufu,” match with light soup and catfish, “Akple” with hot pepper and fish, “Eba” matched with okro stew, and “Eba” matched with pepper and fish, “Banku” prepared with millet and soup, “Etor,” “Apaprensa” and plantain chips and other local diets.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on the side-lines of the food bazaar, Ms Abigail Ferkaa, a Senior Human Resource Manager at the COCOBOD, said the event was to help whet the appetite and inspired staff of the Board to taste for local food.

“The event also seeks to provide a unique opportunity for the staff who have little or no idea in the preparation of local diets to also appreciate the rich diversity of the Ghanaian cuisine,” she stated.

“Interestingly our service personnel showed keen interest in the local diets, and we expose the, tp those foods,” hoping that the staff would develop the taste, appreciate, and consume the local diets.

Ms Rebecca Nkrumah Dadzie, a staff of the Board also told the GNA that local food had high nutritional value and urged young people to incorporate local foods into their daily menus, pointing out that “preference and taste for junk food is contributing to various health problems”.

“Consuming local dishes can help tackle some of the health complications because those local foods are very nutritional,” she stated.

By Benjamin Akoto, GNA

Global Fellows in Courage (GFiC) accelerator program

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March 17, 2025

Global Fellows in Courage (GFiC) accelerator program

Deadline: 1st April, 2025

Global Fellows in Courage (GFiC) is a 6-month accelerator program (via Zoom) designed for social entrepreneurs aged 25-35 who are working to advocate for human rights and gender justice. The mission of the fellowship program is to help emerging leaders drive bold and courageous social change, improve their effectiveness, and advance their missions throughout the world.

Benefits

Concepts – Fellows gain access to an online curriculum and meet twice monthly via Zoom.
Connections – Fellows gain access to GFiC’s global network of experts who support the advancement of their mission and impact.
Cohort – Fellows gain access to a global community of human rights leaders. They remain engaged as alumni of both GFiC and the Brown University’s Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies.
GFIC Stipend – Each Fellow will receive a $2,500 stipend upon successful completion of the program, acknowledging their dedication, active participation, and commitment to the fellowship.
GFiC Grant Program – Upon Successful completion, Fellows are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 to support progress on their projects.
Certificate – Fellows receive a certificate of completion from GFiC and Brown University Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies.

Eligibility

Applicants are between the ages of 25 and 35, with exceptions possible.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in human rights advocacy, activism, community organizing, or social entrepreneurship.
Demonstrated engagement in Gender Justice or related areas.
Proficiency in English is mandatory.

For more information and application.

Puma Energy Africa Graduate Program 2025

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March 17, 2025

Puma Energy Africa Graduate Program 2025

Deadline: 31st December, 2025

The Puma Energy Africa Graduate Program is tailored for high-achieving recent graduates, providing a one-year rotational experience designed to fast-track their learning and professional development across key areas of our business.

Through rotations in Operations, Supply, Retail, and Terminals, participants will build a solid foundation in our business fundamentals. This program offers a pathway to future career advancement and growth opportunities within Puma Energy.

Benefits

Join us in ‘energising communities’ – They are united and driven by our purpose: ‘energising communities’. You can be, too. Join us and make a big difference creating innovative energy solutions that transform lives for the better.
Be part of our strong culture – They have a dynamic, diverse, global culture where we really care about people, put health and safety first, and strive for excellence in everything we do. You can help us take it further.
Be valued and rewarded – They believe in keeping our colleagues motivated and engaged. To this end, you will benefit from a robust rewards and recognition program acknowledging and rewarding outstanding contributions.
Excel and have fun – They will encourage and support you to perform at your best. You will work alongside passionate and inspiring leaders and colleagues. We want you to take pride in and enjoy excelling.
Learn new things and grow – You will have many opportunities to learn, develop and grow with us. We encourage everyone to gain new competencies, skills and knowledge through various leadership and educational programs.
Help shape the energy future – They are playing a vital role helping our customers and communities embrace new renewable technologies and future energies, in response to climate change. Join us on this exciting journey.

Eligibility

We are looking for motivated, enthusiastic, and talented graduates to join our Africa Graduate Program in Benin, Botswana, Congo, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Eligible candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) or a related discipline and must be a citizen or resident with the legal right to work in the country they are applying for.

For more information and application.

Compute for Climate Fellowship 2025

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March 17, 2025

Deadline: 6th April, 2025.

The Compute for Climate Fellowship is a global R&D funding program that empowers climate tech startups to leverage advanced cloud computing and AI in the fight against climate change.

The Fellowship was founded in 2023 by the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), under the auspices of UNESCO, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Each Fellow company accepted into the program builds a groundbreaking proof-of-concept (PoC) climate solution that is funded by AWS, with technical and scientific advisors from AWS and IRCAI.

The Compute for Climate Fellowship will select proposals that think big, have the most innovative use of advanced cloud computing, and the biggest promise for global impact. Proposals must address at least one of these following key solution areas in the fight against climate change:

Clean energy
Low-carbon transportation
Sustainable agriculture and food
Circular economy/manufacturing/industry
Sustainable buildings
Greenhouse gas accounting and sustainability management
Carbon removal
Environment (water, pollution, biodiversity) and climate risk
New for 2025 Fellowship: Indigenous Solutions to the Climate Crisis

Benefits

Grants in the form of AWS credits to cover the cloud computing costs of the PoC (up to $200k per startup)
Three month PoC build period with personalized technical support and mentorship
Access to advanced computing services, like quantum computing, HPC, and generative AI tools
Expert guidance in advanced computing, AI, sustainability, and ethics from IRCAI and AWS mentors
Media and visibility via speaking opportunities and PR (on a case by case basis)
Showcase of results across United Nations and international bodies

Eligibility

Your company is privately held and was founded within the last 10 years.
You have a technical team capable of building with advanced cloud computing.
Your proposal incorporates innovative use of advanced cloud computing services such as:

– AI/ML and Generative AI

– High-Performance Computing

– Autonomous Computing

– Spatial Computing

– Simulation Technologies

– Quantum Computing

– Time series data analytics

For more information and application.

Greentech Africa 2025: The Future of Sustainability

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March 17, 2025

Deadline: 9th May 2025

Greentech Africa 2025: The Future of Sustainability is an investment-readiness accelerator program that will support 10-15 startups in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa with innovative solutions for sustainable development.

Types of startups they are recruiting

Agtech and Food Security – Startups utilizing technology to improve and boost agricultural productivity.
Biodiversity Protection – Startups leveraging technology for sustainable and responsible management of land, water, air, and wildlife.
Circular and Regenerative Economy – Startups innovating using technology to minimize waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable use of natural resources.
Climatetech and Cleantech – Startups using technology to adapt and build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and reduce the reliance on non-renewable resources.
Water, Sanitation and Health – Startups using technology to provide solutions to improve access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene, good health, and wellbeing.

Benefits

Advice – Participate in a virtual investor forum and mock board meetings with representatives from financial institutions, corporates, experienced entrepreneurs, and investors who can help their companies scale
Continued learning – Access to live and asynchronous sessions tailored to a virtual learning environment to help their companies identify early milestones and prepare for their next round of capital (if relevant) or significant expansion.
Financial analysis – Access to an investment analyst who will coach you 1:1 on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and using financial metrics to drive both business and investor diligence.
Media exposure – Exposure to Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.
Mentorship – Ability to meet with and receive mentorship from prominent investors, potential strategic partners, customers, and other founders.
Networking – Access to a global network of mentors and founders.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements include:

Have legal incorporation and operations as a for-profit entity in at least one of these countries: Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, or South Africa.
Have a market-based tech solution that tackles the above-listed challenges.
Be in compliance with local fiscal and business law.
Have at least one full-time founder based in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, or South Africa.
Be in compliance with local fiscal and business law.
Have at least a minimum viable product (MVP) and raised less than USD 1M in equity.
Have meaningful customer or business validation (not limited to revenue, it can also be successful pilot studies, number of users, and/or strategic partnerships).

For more information and application.

Tech Pathways MENA program (grants ranging from USD 20K to USD 40K)

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March 17, 2025

Deadline: 23rd March, 2025

The Tech Pathways MENA program is designed to fast-track AI adoption and digital skills development across Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, or the UAE.

This initiative will partner with 25 Business Support Organizations (BSOs) across these 11 countries, equipping them to offer customized training to 10,000 individual workers. Supported by Google.org, MinnaLearn, and the University of Helsinki’s “Elements of AI for Business” curriculum, the program aims to empower women, youth, professionals, and workers in rural areas.

Benefits

Access to Abaca – Tools for milestone planning, organizational diagnostics, and program tracking through Village Capital’s Abaca platform, enhancing their operational capacity.

Increased Impact and Visibility – Participation in the program enhances the BSOs’ capacity to deliver impactful training, boosting their reputation and positioning them as leaders in AI education within their local ecosystems.

Funding – Each BSO receives grants ranging from USD 20K to USD 40K, which enable them to implement AI programs effectively and support their local communities.

Media Exposure – Get featured on Village Capital’s program website and other collateral.

Networking and Peer Learning – Become part of a regional network, enabling collaboration with other organizations, sharing best practices, and building partnerships.

Training – Tailored training through a train-the-trainer model, equipping their teams with the knowledge and skills to deliver impactful AI-focused programs.

Eligibility

Operations in one of the following countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, or the UAE.
Demonstrated success in improving employability and digital skills, including evidence of past success stories and measurable impacts on beneficiaries.
A strong focus on supporting underserved audiences, including women, refugees, and other marginalized groups.
Established engagement with local communities and a solid network of stakeholders, including local businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies.
Interest, willingness, and ability to deliver programs focused on AI, digital skills, business growth, and related areas.

For more information and application.

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