/africa-agrifood-collaborative/ en /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/nkabom-collaborative-knust-shortlists-30-youth-ventures-funding-pitch%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-food Collaborative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation (Nkabom Collaborative), has shortlisted 30 youth-led business ideas for a funding pitch, opening a new pathway for unemployed and underemployed young people to access start-up support. The opportunity was extended to beneficiaries who had participated in training programmes organised by the project. Following a competitive call, more than 90 applications were received, with 30 ventures selected to advance to the pitching stage Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:35:31 -0500 Michael Kwawu 41 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/training-enterprise-deepening-skills-sustainable-vegetable-production%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E The Education Pillar of the Nkabom Collaborative at UG has hosted the fourth in a series of short courses intended to equip a select number of youth in vegetable farming, agri-business, and sustainable agriculture. The two-week intensive training, held at the University of Ghana, successfully empowered 43 young Ghanaians with modern skills for a transformative agri-food landscape. The participants included 21 males and 22 females. Opening the session, the Pillar lead, Dr. Hayford Ayerakwa, highlighted the introduction of a critical component which would equip the participants with practical Mon, 05 Jan 2026 09:39:41 -0500 Nkabom Collaborative 40 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/nkabom-collaborative-knust-trains-msmes-business-plan-development%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E The Nkabom Collaborative at KNUST, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has commenced a five-day Business Development Training Programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Ghana. The training programme, which brought together 25 participants from across the country, seeks to equip existing and aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills in business planning and strategic management to enable them to build sustainable and scalable enterprises. Participants are being introduced to the Nkabom Hybrid Business Model Canvas as a Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:31:58 -0500 Nkabom at KNUST 39 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/building-future-agri-food-innovation-ug-nkabom-kicks-prototype-development-phase%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E One hundred selected agri-food and nutrition-based start-ups have been officially onboarded onto the UG Nkabom Mentoring and Prototype Development Programme. Held earlier this month, under the aegis of the Entrepreneurship Pillar, the activity sought to equip participants with the technical, financial, and entrepreneurial support required to transform their ideas into viable prototypes. The session which took place virtually, featured a dry run involving mentors and component leads, as well as presentations on fundamental, yet topical issues pertinent to entrepreneurship. An equally important Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:10:54 -0500 UG Nkabom 37 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/strengthening-global-partnerships-nkabom-collaborative-partners-visit-mcgill-university%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E In early November 2025, a distinguished delegation from the Nkabom Collaborative, comprising Ashesi University, the Association of Ghana Industries, Koforidua Technical University, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾, the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, the University of Ghana, and the University of Health and Allied Sciences, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, gathered in Montreal to advance a shared vision for transforming nutrition, agri-food, and health systems. The visit marked a significant step toward advancing shared Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:22:07 -0500 Stephane Mukunzi 35 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/vegetable-production-cohort-two-youth-equipped-sustainable-future%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E A total of forty-four youth have undergone a two-week capacity-enhancement session in vegetable production. This is the second cohort of participants to receive the training by the Education Pillar of the UG Nkabom Collaborative. The training took place at the University of Ghana Vegetable Centre of Excellence and comprised theoretical and practical sessions to ground participants in climate-smart and indigenous vegetable production practices. Speaking at the commencement of the training, the Pillar Lead, Dr. Hayford Ayerakwa, highlighted the value of the intervention. “This initiative, Adwuma Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:21:28 -0500 Benedicta Afi Agbodzi 34 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/association-ghana-industries-agi-hosts-its-launch-nkabom-collaborative%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), in partnership with Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, officially launched the Nkabom Collaborative Initiative at the Palms Convention Centre, located within the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, on September 18, 2025. The launch formed part of the AGI Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition. Special guests in attendance included Hon. Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (MP), Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment; Dr. Nii Addy and Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim. The event marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to strengthen Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:14:26 -0400 Daniel Okyere 32 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/deputy-education-minister-commends-mcgill-universitys-nkabom-program-its-practical-based%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, has commended the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ Nkabom programme for its practical-based training styles. According to him, the Ministry of Education feels proud to be part of the Nkabom (Unity) Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-Food Collaborative event. The Deputy Minister said this at the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ Nkabom – Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-Food Collaborative Meeting held at Peduase Valley Resort, Peduase, on Wednesday, 9th April 2025. “This is because issues of youth empowerment through critical skill development are high on the government’s Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:26:09 -0400 Rashid Obodai 30 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/mcgill-delegation-visits-quebec-government-office-dakar%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E The Secretariat team of the Nkabom Collaborative had the pleasure of visiting the Québec Government Office in Dakar (DGQD), where they met with Iya Touré, General Delegate, and Marina St-Louis, Advisor for Educational Affairs and Cooperation. As part of the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ delegation, team members Pierre Brunache Jr., Priscilla Boadi, and Valerie Ndiweni joined a meeting led by Dr. Patrick Cortbaoui, Managing Director of the Â鶹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ – Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security. During the discussion, the team presented the vision and mission of the Nkabom Collaborative Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:19:20 -0400 Nkabom communications 27 /africa-agrifood-collaborative/%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A//www.mcgill.ca/africa-agrifood-collaborative/article/co-creating-future-ug-nkabom-engages-students-agri-food-curriculum-design%22%20hreflang%3D%22en%22%3Eview%3C/a%3E The University of Ghana Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-food Collaborative (UG Nkabom) has held a stakeholder engagement forum to solicit the input of youths towards the development of experiential short courses tailored to the needs of youth in agribusiness. This curriculum is aimed at equipping youth-led, agri-related startups and businesses with in-demand skills tailored to current market needs. The programme, which drew youths from diverse backgrounds engaged in small businesses within Ghana’s food systems space, was to gather insights on their entrepreneurial experiences and knowledge gaps Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:29:46 -0400 University of Ghana 17