The road to growth is getting closer for about 15 Kenyan agrifood companies! 

Out of 33 high quality applications received, 16 companies have been shortlisted for diagnostic visits, to join the Farm’Innov project acceleration programme, providing tailor made support with French expertise, mentoring system with French companies and immersive visits to France, starting in April and for 10 months.

Last week marks a high point in the Farm’Innov project: a committee of experts, Pierre Weill and Renaud Sergheraert, 2 recognised agrifood experts from the Valorial network were in Kenya to meet the 16 pre-selected companies and diagnose their technical needs and development challenges. The experts and 2 Valorial team members involved in the project joined our local liaison based in Nairobi, and conducted field visits to evaluate if the companies had fully met the different criteria required to take part in the programme.

The site visits were punctuated by a dinner in Nanyuki that brought participants from Laikipia county together in the presence of the French Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia, Mr. Arnaud Suquet and the Governor of Laikipia Mr. Joshua Irungu. The week was concluded by a dinner at the AFD Director’s residence.

This mission was a terrific opportunity for fruitful exchanges between Kenya and France. A big thank you to our Kenyan partners: Equity Bank Limited, Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and the Farm’Innov project’s funders.

The list of final winners to be announced in March… stay tuned!