Deadline Date: March 27, 2026
The NIRAS International Consulting is inviting qualified SMEs and associations in the cashew and oil palm value chains to apply for matching grants to enhance processing, market access, business development, and skills in the sector.
The program focuses on improving the enabling environment for the cashew and oil palm sectors by increasing productivity and competitiveness of private sector actors. It aims to support women-owned or led businesses, enterprises with a female or vulnerable youth-dominated workforce, and persons living with disabilities. Additionally, the program seeks to enhance processing capabilities, facilitate market access, provide training and capacity building, support standardization and certification, encourage product development, and promote the adoption of technology and efficiency-enhancing equipment.
Eligible applicants include large and small or innovative SMEs, as well as associations that are formally registered in Ghana. Large SMEs must have a minimum revenue of GHS 300,000 and at least three years of operation. Small or innovative SMEs must have a minimum revenue of GHS 150,000 and at least three years of operation. Associations must demonstrate positive revenue and have been in operation for at least five years. All applicants are required to submit audited financial statements for the past two years.
The grant support provided under the Development Partnership with the Private Sector can cover training, business development services, market access facilitation, capacity building, standardization and certification, product development, and technology and efficiency-enhancing equipment. Applicants are required to provide contributions to match the grant funding. Large SMEs can access a maximum grant of GHS 3 million and must contribute 50% of equipment costs in cash and 30% of service costs in cash, including training facilities and logistics for staff participation. Small or innovative SMEs can access up to GHS 500,000, with a 20% cash contribution for equipment and an additional 30% either in cash or in-kind. Their service contribution is 10% in cash and 20% either in cash or in-kind, including training facilities and logistics for staff participation. Associations can also access up to GHS 500,000, providing 50% of equipment costs in-kind and 30% of service costs in-kind, which may include training facilities, vehicles, fuel, meeting rooms, and staff time.
This program therefore offers both financial support and technical assistance, while ensuring applicants share in the project costs to encourage ownership, sustainability, and efficiency improvements within the cashew and oil palm sectors.
For more information, visit NIRAS International Consulting.
