The West Africa Trade and Investment Hub is offering grants to agribusinesses. The program targets ventures in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa, and aims to help them scale operations and raise the quality of products and services produced by the sector.
Successful applicants could receive between $250,000 and $2 million in funding from the organization.
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The West Africa Trade and Investment Hub is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is a five-year program that exists to boost employment and improve the prospects for trade and investment in the sub-region.
The Program’s Goals
Through its funding program, the organization intends to help local businesses achieve the following:
•Increase available finance for farmers and firms.
•Raise productivity and profitability.
•Invest in corporate social responsibility projects.
•Fund research and development that brings about technological innovation in the agricultural sector.
It aims for these benefits to solve some of the challenges and disruptions to the agric sub-economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program should also create more opportunities for women and young people in the sector.
Eligible Organizations
The USAID is seeking applications from:
1. Ventures actively invested in the production of maize, rice, soy, cowpea, or involved in aquaculture (fish farming).
2. Institutions or networks working in and with smallholder farmers in Benue, Kaduna, Cross River, Kebbi, Delta, Niger, and Ebonyi.
3. Companies that provide technologies that make aspects of the agric value chain run more efficiently.
4. Firms engaged in research and development that concerns the agricultural space in their countries.
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5. NGOs and non-profits working in the sector.
They are expected to propose a co-investment fund in which they (the applicant) contribute some of the investment (preferably a public-private investment of ratio 5:1).
Application Process
If your organization meets these criteria, you may follow these steps to apply for the grant.
1. Register your firm on the System for Managing Activities, Reporting, and Tracking (SMART) system, where your eligibility will be determined.
2. Contact the Lead Grants Manager at grants@westafricatih.com.
3. If your registration is accepted, you will be expected to submit a short concept paper or formal application. Be sure to follow the instructions in the Application Process Statement (APS) PDF documents, available on the program’s website. A template for the concept note is available there as well.
4. Your application will be evaluated based on its ability to accomplish the program’s aims (listed under ‘The Programs’ Aims’ above).
5. The Trade Hub will consult with USAID to decide if your concept note or application is accepted or not.
6. If your application is accepted, you will be notified accordingly.
7. You will receive funding and technical aid. Your project will also be monitored by the program’s administrators.
8. At the end of the program, you will submit a report to the program showing how the funding has helped you achieve the goals you set out (in line with the stated aims summarized under ‘The Program’s Aims’).
If you would like to apply for the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub funding opportunity, click here to start.
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Please, l want to register but l cannot. Assist. I need grant to expand my poultry business. Muyiwa Oyegbile