Agri Entrepreneurship for Opportunity Actualization (EOpAct)

18 February 2016. Accra. Launch of Entrepreneurship for Opportunity Actualization (EOpAct). Funded by the USAID under its Africa Lead programme, EOpAct will engage participants (individuals and SMEs) in "on-the-job" internship programmes at various firms where they will acquire hands-on vocational and managerial skills to become entrepreneurs, more employable or employers.

Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP) is set to fully commence what is being described as the best skills development programme yet for people with interest or present involvement in agriculture and agribusiness value chains. Entrepreneurship for Opportunity Actualization (EOpAct) is focused on building the entrepreneurial and vocational skills of young people to take advantage of opportunities in the horticulture, livestock and grains sub-sectors within the vast agricultural industry.

• The program also affords SMEs, working in the agribusiness sector and looking for improved technologies and innovations, an opportunity to be attached to firms to acquire these skills and improve their operational capacities.
• The internship programme, which typically lasts for two months can be extended for up to 12 weeks.
• The EOpAct program ultimately aims to increase the number of skilled agribusiness professionals in the country and contribute to increased food security across Africa. ASNAPP is still accepting applications and inviting more businesses to sign up.

Related:

Strengthening Capacity for Agribusiness Development and Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa, agribusiness has a major role to play in the transformation of the agricultural sector. The demand for high-value food products is increasing, creating an opportunity for the production and export of these goods. To capture the benefits of this trend and capitalize on this for long-term agricultural growth, the capacity for agribusiness must be strengthened at all levels. To effectively build the necessary capacities, the skills built by agribusiness education and training must correspond to the needs of the agribusiness sector. 

This article examines what capacities are needed for agribusiness development and management in sub-Saharan Africa at the individual, organization, and policy process levels. By reviewing the current agribusiness education offerings, this article identifies capacity gaps that must be filled for agribusiness development and wider agricultural transformation.