Call for Proposals: CGIAR Food Systems Accelerator Program

The CFSA is an agribusiness support program within The CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, also known as Ukama Ustawi. It is a science-driven accelerator designed to empower agribusinesses with climate-smart innovations. By combining investment readiness with tailored science-based technical assistance, CFSA equips agribusinesses with the tools and knowledge to become commercially viable, environmentally conscious, and sustainable. The program emphasizes innovations with a user-centric approach for smallholder farmers, promoting sustainable farming practices, and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Partnership with Agroecology Initiative: For the 2024 cohort, CFSA is proud to collaborate with the Agroecology Initiative. This partnership aims to support agribusinesses in embracing sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices, integrating principles of agroecology. Agroecology focuses on improving resource efficiency, strengthening resilience, and securing social equity.

Priority Innovation Themes

• Mechanization and Irrigation
• Conservation Agriculture
• Nutrition-Sensitive Climate-Smart Agriculture
• Agricultural Risk Management (ARM)

Target Sectors/SDGs

• SDG 1 – No poverty through promotion of economic activities.
• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger attributed to adoption of climate-smart agriculture.
• SDG 3 – Good Health attributed to mixed maize farming (aquaculture, livestock, legumes, and other crops).
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality through support of women entrepreneurs and farmers in supply chain.
• SDG 8 and 10 – Decent work and economic growth, including for youth.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action through promotion of climate-smart agriculture and sustainable farming.
• SDG 17 – Ecosystem partnerships to develop the goals.

What do they have to offer to the selected participants?

• CSA Technical Assistance: through this program each agribusiness will collaborate with CGIAR scientists and experts to receive coordinated and specialized evidence-based technical support that encourages adoption and strengthens their CSA practices, addresses concrete ecosystem challenges, and improves their bankability. Agribusinesses may also have access to research and data.
• Impact Measurement and Management (IMM): Agribusiness teams will receive training on how to effectively measure and manage impact on climate-smart agriculture and agroecology, use their data to improve business performance, identify areas where value can be created and achieve their desired result in contributing towards positive environmental and social impact. This training will be provided by CGIAR network of scientists and experts.
• Investment Readiness: Each agribusiness will collaborate with a CGIAR partner and its network to receive investment readiness and business development support to help secure financing from the private sector.
• De-risking Grant: Upon successful completion of the accelerator program and Pitch Day, the winning pitches will receive de-risking grants of USD 20,000, USD 18,000, and USD 12,000, respectively, based on their scaling plans.
• Access to the network of investors to attract follow-on funding in grants, debt, and equity according to funding needs.

Business Stages

• Early Stage: Start-ups in early stages seeking to establish their business model.
• Growth Stage: Companies demonstrating sustainable business models, significant revenue growth, and positive cashflow.

Eligibility Criteria

• The business should be officially registered and compliant with regulatory authorities. Please provide the following:
  • A Certificate of Incorporation for a Limited Company or Partnership Deed for a Partnership Business.
  • 2 years audited accounts for growth stage companies OR 2-year management accounts for early-stage companies.
  • At least 2 contact details of the company’s references.
  • Team composition.
  • Curriculum Vitae for management team.
  • Tax Compliance certificate OR official documentation for tax exemption.
• A clear inclusive strategy for smallholder farmers, women, and youth within the business model in at least one of the following dimensions: ownership, management team, workforce and policies, supply chain and customers.
• Applicants must be a for-profit company and demonstrate commercial viability and either be profitable or on the path to profitability. NGOs, corporate companies, and consultants will not be considered.
• Operating in the following countries: Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.

For more information, visit CGIAR.