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Access2innovation has submitted a consultation response to the new development policy strategy. The response highlights the growing African economies and populations and the increasing recognition by Denmark and the EU of the need to focus more on Africa to counter Chinese and Russian investments in the region. In Access2innovation's recommendations for Denmark's new development strategy, we emphasize that Danish business strengths are relevant for African markets, but success requires market...

The original Danish text is shown beneath the English version. Consultation Response to the New Development Policy Strategy Sender: Access2innovation Date: March 14, 2025 Background African economies and populations are growing, and Denmark and the EU increasingly recognize the necessity to focus more on Africa to counter especially China and Russia, who are investing massively in building partnerships with African countries to the detriment of Western influence and business interests, and...

February 2025, the CEO of Access2innovation, Henrik Anker-Ladefoged, visited Africa’s largest women's organization, Maendeleo ya Wanawake. The organization Maendeleo ya Wanawake is one of our partners in the project, Clean Energy Drinking Water Solutions. The maturation project was partially funded by Danida (DGBP) and is now finished. Henrik Anker-Ladefoged met the chairperson, Mrs. Rahab Mwikali Muiu, and COO Isabell Ndolo. They discussed a possible full-scale extension of the project, which...

Our member, NjordFrey now employs ten people in Rwanda and has built expertise in delivering high-yield systems tailored to East Africa's context. Here you can meet Lars Hededam, CEO and Co-founder of NjordFrey. Lars, what is the business of NjordFrey? - We have developed an innovative aquaponic system combining fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation in Rwanda. Our system significantly increases fish and crop production while using 95% less water than traditional farming. This...

Our delegation trip to Tanzania was – once again – very successful. It was arranged in collaboration with the Danish Agriculture & Food Council. "Overall, the trip was really good, actually even better than expected! The program was well planned by Senior Advisor Oscar Raphael Mkude from the embassy, among others. I found all the arranged meetings relevant, and there was very little wasted time," says participant and CEO Henrik Wollesen from Engsko. He continues: "I brought home several...

On February 15 , John Magnay, A2i representative in East Africa, had the distinguished honor of accompanying Signe Winding Albjerg, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, and Yolisa Khantawane, Country Manager for Maersk Shipping, to the country home and farm of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Ntungamu, Western Uganda. The visit was part of the EU-Business Forum initiative, aimed at briefing H.E. President Museveni on the growing engagement between Denmark and Uganda. This special occasion...

On 14-16th February, A2i participated jointly with aBi Development in the Harvest Money Agricultural Show at the Mandela Stadium, Nambole, Kampala. Under the banner of Denmark in Uganda, 7 companies were physically present, and over 21 members participated through the display screen. The event was attended by over 100,000 farmers and agri-business companies from Uganda. Our stand was opened by Ole Dahl Rasmussen, Counsellor, Team Leader Growth Team at the Danish Embassy, and visited by Hon....

On February 13, A2i participated jointly with aBi Development Ltd at the Uganda EU Business Forum at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala. This was to highlight Danish engagement in Uganda. Over 21 members participated at the event, including 17 who displayed their engagements on the monitor at the A2i/aBi  Development Ltd. stand. The event was attended by over 400 delegates from Uganda and the EU. Our stand was opened by Signe Winding Albjerg, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, and visited by several...

Access2innovation welcomes three new members of our network: CT Technologies, who specializes in the design and supply of materials and equipment for the insulation of Cold Stores and Food Processing Plants. With 30 years of international experience, CT  Technologies has built up the unique knowledge and expertise that is required to execute almost any type of temperature/hygienically controlled facility within Food Storage, Fish Processing, Meat Processing, Vegetable and Fruit Processing, the...

“Collectiveness is key to this project. Nobody can do it alone. The need and the market are here, and both are growing rapidly due to climate change. We see a huge market potential among small Ugandan coffee farmers. Quality solar-powered irrigation improves harvests and extends growing seasons."The project Enhancing Irrigation to Improve Climate Adaptation and Sustain Smallholder Production Systems in Uganda helps small Ugandan farmers to find the proper irrigation solutions, ensuring...

Meet a new face in our team We are happy to introduce Mette Skindhøj Johnson, our new project coordinator. Mette has a rich international background that began with her birth in Jos, Nigeria.  A global citizen at heart, Mette has lived in multiple countries, including 11 years in the United States, 12 years in Singapore, and extensive periods in Africa across Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. Mette recently settled in Denmark after spending two years on a leadership capacity...

Our member, DTU, is looking for four Challenge Partners that propose real-world problems for 25 interdisciplinary student teams to solve. Each year, DTU OpenInnovation collaborates with 3-4 organizations to present real-world challenges that fuel innovation and creative problem-solving. As a Challenge Partner, your organization will play a pivotal role by defining the challenge and mentoring interdisciplinary student teams as they develop innovative solutions. For each challenge, five...

In November, Access2innovation's program manager Inge Myrthue traveled to East Africa to successfully round off two PGBP maturation projects: The ‘Clean Energy Drinking Water Solutions’ initiative in Kenya and the ‘Green Hub Kampala – E-mobility Ecosystem’ which has tested electric motorbikes in Kampala. During the trip, Inge also began the crucial evaluation phase, assessing the impact and outcomes of both initiatives. The vital step to ensure the projects meet their intended goals and...

In November, Access2innovation’s Program Manager, Thomas Augustinus, visited Uganda as part of our ongoing DGBP Grundfos project ‘Enhancing irrigation to improve climate adaptation and sustain smallholder production systems in Uganda’. The visit focused on enhancing business administration capabilities as well as fostering responsible business practices for farmer cooperatives and companies in Uganda. During his visit, Thomas facilitated training sessions on responsible business for project...

Dear Members and Partners, Another exciting year for Access2innovation is coming to an end. Another year where we have been fortunate to work with visionary partners looking for business opportunities in East Africa. Here are some highlights from the year 2024: Being one of the partners in the DMDP project 'Grain Hubs for rural communities in Uganda', the Danish company Engsko A/S has secured a major order for an integrated milling system, and we now further expect several orders for both...

Green photos from a field visit in the project "Enhancing irrigation to improve climate adaptation and sustain smallholder production systems in Uganda". We now wait for quotations for the irrigation system from the ​Akvo Foundation​ for each of the farmers visited. The project is developed together with Eastern Africa Grain Council, Grundfos, Akvo International, and founded by Danida Green Business Partnerships, DGBP.

For Denmark-based companies: There is now an opportunity to have a bachelor’s or master's thesis student associated with your company or NGO. Together with the students, you will design a project that benefits both you and the students. The students come from Copenhagen Business School, Københavns Universitet - University of Copenhagen, DTU - Technical University of Denmark or Aalborg Universitet.Contact Thomas Augustinus to hear more: 🔷 E-mail: ta@access2innovation.com🔷 Tlf: +45 2096...

Collaboration to Transform Water Access for Smallholder Farmers in Kenya by Grekkon Ltd. and Access2Innovation, supported by GrowthAfrica, TEMCompany, Nordic Impact Funds & P4G. We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between GrowthAfrica, Grekkon Limited-Irrigation Hub, TEMCompany, and Access2innovation. The partnership is aimed at enhancing water resilience for Kenyan smallholder farmers and represents a significant step towards a more water-resilient future.This is a promising...

The Randers-based company, ENGSKO A/S, has received a multi-million Danish kroner order as part of a Danida-funded project aimed at improving living conditions for farmers in Uganda. The project is coordinated by the Danish platform for sustainable business development in Africa, Access2innovation. Read about the order in one of the Danish newspapers, that mentions it.  “We have just sold a large plant worth two million Danish kroner to the Ugandan company New Kakinga Millers Enterprises...

Customer satisfaction from our project ‘Clean Energy Drinking Water Solutions in Kenya’. Our project in Kenya, ‘Clean Energy Drinking Water Solutions' is well underway, tells Thomas Augustinus, program manager A2i. He visited the project in September while it is testing the commercial viability of distributing the SAWA cans through the large network of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake. Initial feedback show that users, that are mostly rural women, are satisfied with the product as it cleans the water...

We know that Danish business strengths are relevant for Africa. However, leveraging these strengths requires market understanding, in-depth knowledge of value chains, and support for the companies’ operational activities. This is particularly true for small and medium-sized Danish enterprises that have the ability to develop new and innovative solutions tailored to African markets and needs. Business collaboration between companies on the African continent and Denmark is inherently equal and...

Dear Members, Contacts, and Partners of Access2Innovation, I hope you have enjoyed your summer holiday and are ready for a new season on the Danish platform for innovative, sustainable, and commercial solutions to African markets. We certainly are, both here at the board and within the secretariat. We have an exciting time ahead. The long-awaited Strategy for Strengthened Danish Engagement with African Countries has finally been launched.  This strategy highlights Denmark’s and the EU’s...

Lisbeth Zacho, CEO of Nordic Impact Funds, (Number 3 from right on photo) here shares insights on why her company is a strategic member of A2i. She emphasizes the collaborative efforts and benefits of this membership in driving economically sustainable development in Africa.Strategic Membership for a Shared Vision "We are strategic members of Access2innovation for many reasons," begins Lisbeth Zacho. "First and foremost, because of our shared mission. At Nordic Impact Funds, we are committed...

The Danish Agriculture & Food Council in partnership with Access2innovation are pleased to invite your company to participate in this 2025 agro-business delegation to Zambia. Please click here to register. (No later than 1. November 2024 for the early bird advantage and no later than 9. December 2024 for the general programme).Why Zambia? Zambia is one of Africa’s most stable and open countries with ambitious growth targets and an agri-business sector full of opportunities. This delegation...

  In June, A2i conducted Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and Business Administration training for cooperative leaders and individual entrepreneurs in the grain value chain. The cooperative leaders are now able to develop sound and viable business cases and can make investment decisions from an informed perspective to increase their chance of success as well as their chance of securing finance for development of their businesses. RBC is also a core element of our project partners...

Cashew nut production is an important occupation in coastal Kenya. But cashew production had declined drastically due to inadequate crop management practices, old unproductive orchards, poor quality planting materials, high post-harvest losses, prevalence of pests and diseases and poor marketing infrastructure and processes. This has unfortunately reduced its economic importance. Therefore, we are happy to tell, that we together with partners now have started testing the possibility of using...

Three new stars now twinkle in the network of Access2innovation. Say hello to: Toxi-Scrub Nournous Holding Eferio Communications We look forward to meeting you all in real life as a part of our vibrant network.

A warm welcome to our new network members of Access2innovation:   NjordFrey, which provides high-yield aquaponic farming solutions to smallholder developing farmers in Rwanda to significantly increase income. Nexus Green, which accelerates and supports green growth and sustainability in East Africa, driven by a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and provide affordable, cleaner energy solutions that empower nations to thrive. DTU Skylab, where the convergence of technologies and talent...

Already now, you can save the date for our next delegation tour, which will be January 27–31, 2025. The tour goes to Zambia and is arranged in cooperation with the Danish Agriculture & Food Council like our last tour - which by the way was a huge success. "Zambia is a politically stable, multi-party democracy, rich in natural resources and with a growing economy. So now our members have a chance to visit a new exciting country with emerging markets,” says Karin Elisabeth Lind, CEO...

Caritas Denmark, a member of Access2innovation, recently upgraded its status from a networking member to a strategic member. This is because it is “an excellent network that delivers concrete results and includes tailor-made, advisory support directly to Caritas on top of it” says program coordinator Lars Møller. "We started in A2i a few years ago on a cheap membership to access the network. It worked out well. We made good contacts with exciting companies that have made a difference in our...

Henrik Anker-Ladefoged, a long-time key employee of the network organization Access2innovation, is appointed CEO at a time of increased focus on collaboration between Danish businesses and Africa. Henrik Anker-Ladefoged, who has been part of Access2innovation for more than 10 years, will step in as the new CEO on September 1, 2024, in the Danish platform for innovative, sustainable, commercial solutions to the African growth markets. Access2innovation offers Danish businesses access to...

Access2innovation’s General Assembly in 2024 marked one more collective moment in the organization and network’s journey, highlighting its commitment to support its members to drive sustainable development through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. The Access2innovation General Assembly held on the 24th of April 2024 showcased a remarkable year of membership growth, innovation, and strategic development. Led by Chairperson Henrik Wollesen and CEO Karin Elisabeth Lind, the...

Fostering Collaborative Solutions for Sustainable Growth Access2innovation hosted its much-anticipated Partnership Day 2024, a dynamic event aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders committed to driving innovative, sustainable, commercial solutions to African markets. Held on April 24, 2024, the event featured an engaging program designed to inspire, inform, and facilitate meaningful partnerships. The event kicked off with a warm welcome and introduction by...

During the General Assembly 2024, a new, competent board of Access2innovation was elected, representing our members, including NGOs, private companies and research institutions. The new board reflects both continuous commitment from previous board members as well as the opportunity to welcome new members. The board constituted itself according to the statutes of the organization, and we are hereby very happy to introduce  them:   Henrik Wollesen (Engsko), chairperson Lars Møller...

Access2innovation’s new strategy is emphasizing the organization’s commitment to foster partnerships for inclusive growth in Africa. The new strategy focuses on four strategic priority areas. With a clear vision, mission, and values, Access2innovation is now poised to make meaningful contributions to inclusive, green growth and sustainable development in Africa, as the Danish platform for innovative, sustainable, commercial solutions to African markets. Click here to read the new strategy of...

The delegation trip to Uganda organized by Access2innovation, in collaboration with The Danish Agriculture & Food Council and The Danish Embassy, was highly successful. During the trip, the representatives actively engaged in the 3rd Uganda-European Union Business Forum, with the objective of encouraging European investment in Uganda to boost trade, particularly increasing Ugandan exports to the European Union.  “We were very happy, that the Danish delegation of seven companies from...

Do you need a base in East Africa? Meet A2i in our office in Shiriki House,16 Mackinnon Road, Kampala. Our member, Jens Rydder is the CEO of Shiriki House and a partner in the affiliated companies SustaiNet Group and Vizuri360. They are all incorporated in Kenya and Uganda. Jens has a good offer for you, if you are looking for compliance business support in Uganda or Kenya. Read more below.  Jens has a Master in Political Science and Public Administration from University of Aarhus. Jens, what...

A new Danish network aims to bridge the gap between investors and businesses in developing countries. With the purpose of enhancing the interaction between private investors and projects in Africa, the inaugural State of Green Investor Network meeting was held on March 20th. At the meeting. Program Manager Thomas Augustinus talked about how Access2innovation collaborates with business partners and investors in East Africa. He emphasized that the ability to develop better business opportunities...

We wish our members and partners a very nice business delegation trip to Uganda in March. Seven companies will join the trip, which gives the delegates an opportunity to meet and explore synergies with agribusiness stakeholders in Uganda and implementing partners of the Danish development programs. The delegates will also participate in the Uganda-EU Business Forum with a joint exhibition together with aBi Development & Finance and the Danish Embassy in Uganda. “Uganda is one of Africa’s...

A warm welcome to our two new members: Grenaa Motorfabrik and INTERTEC. INTERTEC is a strategic member and offers worldwide services, that range from advanced automation systems in the feed and food industry to assembly and maintenance of complex magnet systems at CERN (BigScience) to advanced electrical installations at airports. Grenaa Motorfabrik designs and manufactures complete gearboxes and ensures well repair solutions for ships. Since the 1980’s Grenaa Motorfabrik has also been...