2026 KIC- Rabo Foundation Business Booster: 50 Businesses onboarded

The KIC -Rabo Business Booster has commenced with official onboarding of 50 businesses into the 2026 cohort.

The businesses were formally introduced to the program during the virtual orientation session designed to familiarise participants with the objectives, structure, expectations and opportunities available through the Rabo Business Booster.

The program is implemented by KIC in partnership with Rabo Foundation and is designed to support the growth and development of agricultural businesses by strengthening their capacity to build sustainable and commercially viable enterprises.

At the end of the program, businesses who show growth potential would have the opportunity to be recommended for access to finance pathways by Rabo Foundation.

Preparing businesses for growth

The orientation provided participants with an opportunity to understand the program journey, including the support they will receive throughout the program and the expectations required of participating businesses.

With businesses operating across different segments of the agricultural value chain, the program will provide an opportunity for participants to learn, strengthen their business models and identify pathways for growth within their respective markets.

The 50 businesses represent a range of agricultural value chains, including shea, cashew, soy, fonio, moringa, spices, seeds, cocoa-related enterprises and horticulture.

Through the Business Booster, participants will have access to practical business development support designed to help them address key challenges, strengthen their operations and explore opportunities to expand their enterprises. The program is a combination of masterclasses, bootcamps, as well as investor readiness and matchmaking events.

Building stronger agricultural enterprises

For many agri-SMEs, moving from an operating business to a sustainable and scalable enterprise requires more than access to finance. It also requires the right knowledge, business systems, market understanding, networks and strategic support.

The KIC - Rabo Foundation Business Booster seeks to address these dimensions by supporting entrepreneurs to strengthen the foundations of their businesses while positioning them to take advantage of emerging opportunities across Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The onboarding of the 50 businesses therefore represents more than the start of another program cycle. It marks the beginning of a structured growth journey aimed at helping participating businesses become stronger, more resilient and better positioned to create value within the agricultural ecosystem.

Speaking at the program, Rosina Obeng highlighted the priorities of Rabo Foundation to strengthen the SME ecosystem in Ghana, especially for women-led and youth-led enterprises that support local farmers and communities in their sourcing. She also emphasized the importance of the program in strengthening business, making them ready for financing pathways for business growth.

Speaking about KIC’s approach, Stanley Amamu, Program Manager for KIC re-iterated the tailored approach to strengthening business based on their specific needs and market strategy, while leveraging on KIC’s curriculum and network.

KIC is also happy to collaborate with Absa and Stanbic bank who would provide financial management trainings to the participants. During the orientation Absa and Stanbic bank representatives highlighted the importance of scaling up financial growth, profitability and development of SMEs through programs like the Business Booster and expressed their expectation for enterprise growth journeys of the agribusinesses taking part in the program, making them investor-ready.

Through its partnership with Rabo Foundation, KIC continues to create opportunities for Ghanaian agri-SMEs to access the knowledge, networks and business support needed to grow and contribute to a more dynamic agricultural economy.