Apply for Africa Agri-Food Development Programme

Deadline Date: July 05, 2024

 Donor Name: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

 Grant Size: $100,000 to $500,000

Irish and African Agri-Food businesses are invited to apply for grant funding to explore market opportunities and develop partnerships in the agri-food sector in Africa.

The Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming and Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett have launched the call for applications for funding under the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP).

The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) supports and enables Irish companies to realise their ambition of doing business in Africa. It has proven the catalyst that enables Irish businesses to explore and seize exciting opportunities to bring their expertise to Africa – to develop new markets and to contribute to a programme of mutual trade between Ireland and Africa.

Through matched grant funding the programme offers Irish agri-businesses of all sizes an invaluable opportunity to develop and harness the potential from innovative partnerships with companies in sub-Saharan African countries.

It enables businesses to manage their financial risk and to use their expertise and resources to work on projects jointly that will deliver a strong and positive impact.

Funding Information

• The Programme offers Irish and African Agri-businesses the opportunity to receive matched grant funding of up to €250,000.

Eligible Countries

Botswana, Cóte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Eligibility Criteria

• all proposed projects must be commercial in nature and focus and must contribute strongly to the sustainable development of the food system within the African country(ies) selected
• all applicants must be agri-food companies that have been registered/incorporated in Ireland at least 12 months prior to the AADP application period commencing
• along with the relevant application form, all AADP applicants must provide:
  • at least one year of audited accounts
  • company and tax information
  • an account of project-related “flow of funds”
  • any background contracts and Memoranda of Understanding
  • any further documentation found to be relevant and agreed with partners
  • the partners involved for ‘full projects’ must include at least 1 Irish registered agri-food company and 1 local commercial entity in Africa
• all applicants for ‘full projects’ must be able to demonstrate that they have at least 3 years of experience within their team in the relevant agri-food sector and development context
• the application must clearly outline how these 2 distinct companies will enter an equitable and ethical partnership
• if an applicant company proposes to undertake a feasibility study, it should include a list of any potential partners within the application
• All proposals must clearly explain:
  • how the intended results of the project will provide additional contributions to the sustainable development of the local agri-food system in the African country(ies)
  • why public funds are essential to finance the initiative and will not replace existing funding sources
  • successful AADP funding applicants will be encouraged to engage with Irish and other national and international NGOs where possible on various aspects of the projects(for example: project design, community engagement and mobilisation, training and extension)

For more information, visit Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.