1. KLV Action proposal: AA Academy
(podium interview)
The Africa Agribusiness Academy (AA Academy) is an entrepreneur platform, seeking to foster
innovation and growth of small and medium scale agribusiness firms in Africa, with the ultimate goal
to contribute to economic growth and improvement of rural incomes and food security in Africa. The
objective of the AA Academy is to support the African agri-food SME sector in their commercial
activities by strengthening individual entrepreneurial capacities. The Academy aims to connect
entrepreneurs, science and business education from Africa and the Netherlands to exchange
knowledge, best practices and business opportunities.
Within the context of the programme Partnerships for Productivity the Academy offers the
following action proposal:
Considering that the members of KLV – both active and retired - embody a wealth knowledge
related to agricultural development relevant for small and medium scale entrepreneurs in Africa
as well as that many members have a keen interest in assisting business development in the
agricultural sector for a self reliant Africa, the AA Academy proposes to launch the following two
initiatives to share its ambitions with KLV:
1. Triple A business coach: KLV members support over a number of years (groups of ) small
and medium agrifood enterprises with coaching and closely follow the business
development of the enterprise online and on-location;
2. Triple A senior expert programme: KLV retired managers and experts support SMEs with
tailor-made specialist advice not available locally.
Both initiatives will be actively supported by the country chapters of the Academy.