News

Ready for delegation trip take off

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...

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Welcome to our new members

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...

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The dedication to partnering for business development in Africa promises a great year

Travel letter from our CEO Karin Elisabeth Lind, who was visiting A2i partners in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda in January 24: The dedication to partnering for business development in Africa promises a great year Judging from the engagement of the people I met during my visit to East Africa in January and the dedication to partnering for business development, 2024 promises to be a great year for Access2innovation and its members! The year has started off in full speed. I went on an exciting trip...

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General Assembly and Partnership Day in April

Put a cross on your calendar for April 24 for Access2innovation Partnership Day and General Assembly. Our network will meet in Aalborg to exchange experiences and ideas. The General Assembly is from 10 am to noon and the Partnership Day is from 1 pm to 3 pm. A more detailed program will follow. See you!

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Introducing our new Boda Boda Project

Introducing our new project 'Green Hub Kampala – E-mobility ecosystem for climate change mitigation and improved livelihoods' Access2innovation is excited to present our new project, 'Green Hub Kampala – E-mobility ecosystem for climate change mitigation and improved livelihoods', developed together with KJAER GROUP, and Nexus Green Ltd and funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Danida Green Business Partnerships (DGBP) program.    In Uganda, where the transport...

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Welcome to our new colleague, Howard Piwang

A warm welcome to our new project manager, Howard Piwang. Having expertise in research and development, project management, training and capacity building and not least e-mobility, Howard will be a perfect match as our new e-mobility solutions project coordinator based in Kampala, Uganda. ”I am particularly excited about contributing to the e-mobility space, fostering positive impacts, creating green jobs, and boosting boda-boda riders' income while gaining valuable skills in coordinating this...

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2023 – A good year for A2i

Dear Members and Partners of Access2innovation, 2023 has been a very exciting year – for me personally and for the organization. I got the privilege of joining Access2innovation at the beginning of the year and have been met by a professional secretariat and a committed board and been fortunate to work with and learn from a number of our members and partners over the year – thank you! We have made significant progress in connecting Danish business and innovation with African markets during the...

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2000 sustainable houses for Sierra Leone

Meet a new A2i-member: Vibeke Munk Petersen, Team Leader in the Sierra Leone – Denmark Houses and Community Partnership Program. “Our goal is together with our partnership organizations in Sierra Leone to provide 2,000 new homes, The homes must be affordable, safe, and sustainable. Also, our project must include a job creation module, where focus is on using local successful entrepreneurs to create local jobs – to ensure long-term economic stability, so people will be able to pay a rent, send...

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Business Delegation to Uganda March 2024

The Danish Embassy in Uganda, Access2Innovation and DAFC are pleased to invite your company to participate in an agro-business delegation to Uganda. Why Uganda? Uganda is one of Africa’s most stable and open countries with ambitious growth targets and an agri-business sector full of opportunities. This delegation visit will enable Danish companies to meet local key partners and potential customers, display their products and services, and gain first-hand knowledge about the Ugandan...

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“Impact on a scale where it matters”

Now you can enjoy a small, but touching new film about A2i-members Pesitho and Caritas Denmark. They have entered into a collaboration, that combines a business potential with sustainable development. Together, Pesitho and Caritas Denmark implement solar-powered mini-kitchens in the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda. The project benefits biodiversity and strengthens the safety of the women in the camp. The film is made by Cathrine Bianca Christensen from Climate Partnerships with support...

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Responsible Business Conduct Workshops in Uganda

In November 2023, Access2innovation had the pleasure of facilitating two workshops in Uganda on Responsible Business Conduct. The workshops were based on the principles outlined in UN Global Compact Guidelines and focused on topics related to human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. These types of trainings are mandatory for projects supported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More than 30 people from 17 local organizations, companies, and cooperatives participated in...

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Five intense days in Kenya and Uganda finalising two new projects

Access2innovation’s CEO, Karin Elisabeth Lind, and program manager, Inge Myrthue, just got back from five intense days in Kenya and Uganda. They travelled to meet with project partners and other stakeholders of importance to access2innovation and to the success of two new projects expected to start in January 2024. The projects will be financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Danida Green Business Partnerships. In Kenya, Inge and Karin facilitated a workshop to finalize the...

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Job posting: Project coordinator in Kampala, Uganda

Are you an experienced and driven project coordinator – with a business mindset focusing on the end market and a passion to advance e-mobility solutions in Kampala? As the project coordinator, you will play a critical role in facilitating the execution of a time-sensitive emobility project ‘Green Hub Kampala’ to be implemented by access2innovation together with companies Kjaer Group (MOTORCARE Uganda) and Nexus Green Ltd. Access2innovation is a Danish organization with offices in Denmark and...

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2000 sustainable houses for Sierra Leone

Meet a new A2i-member: Vibeke Munk Petersen, Team Leader in the Sierra Leone – Denmark Houses and Community Partnership Program. “Our goal is together with our partnership organizations in Sierra Leone to provide 2,000 new homes, The homes must be affordable, safe, and sustainable. Also, our project must include a job creation module, where focus is on using local successful entrepreneurs to create local jobs - to ensure long-term economic stability, so people will be able to pay a rent, send...

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A2i Grain-project in national Ugandan News TV

Meet Henrik Anker-Ladefoged and more of the good people behind out Grain-project in Uganda in this edition of the Uganda UBC News Tonight: Watch it here (starting 48 minutes into the program). The project is supported by Danida Green Business Partnerships / Danida Market Development Partnerships, and also includes BM Silo, ENGSKO A/S, Gl. Buurholt, Opportunity International, AG - PLOUTOS COMPANY LIMITED and Landbrug & Fødevarer.

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A2i at Grain Summit

We are looking forward to the 10th African Grain Trade Summit (AGTS), October 4-7 in Kampala. Here, the chairperson of the board of Access2innovation, CEO Henrik Wollesen, Engsko A/S, will be one of the speakers. The Summit is an internationally-recognized, high-level, policy conference that attracts high level policymakers, influential industry practitioners and leading researchers in the grain sector from across Africa and beyond for discussions about key grain industry issues and developing...

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Successful Delegation Trip about health and food

  Our delegation trip to Kenya and Tanzania in September 2023 is now well completed. Among others, the companies Engsko, Neisig Organics, Gl. Buurholt, Soacha, KIOO Water, and Stein Consulting visited relevant companies, public authorities, and industry organizations. They all bring back hands-on information about local business possibilities. The group also visited the Danish Embassy in Tanzania and had a great afternoon together with the Danish Ambassador to Tanzania, Mette...

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Launch of DMDP-project in Kampala

On Wednesday, October 4th, more than 70 people will gather in Protea Hotel in Kampala for the official, local launch of Access2innovation's project 'Integrated Grain Handling Project for rural communities in Uganda', which is financed by Danida Market Development Partnerships. Representatives from most of the partners in the project will be present: AG Ploutos, Opportunity International, BM Silo, Gl. Buurholt, Engsko, and of course Access2innovation. The launch will also include a field trip...

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Are you a student and interested in Africa?

To improve our insights into the African markets, A2I invites one or two students at master level to conduct a study in collaboration with us, of the business models and strategies that Danish firms have and are using to enter and penetrate African markets.  Read more about the project and how you apply under here. Project: Business Models for African Markets – experiences from Danish firms Few firms have African markets as their main markets, and little is known on how to successfully enter...

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Meet our new program manager, Inge Myrthue

A warm welcome to our new program manager, Inge Myrthue.  Inge Myrthue has more than 20 years of experience working with Sales, business development, and establishing strategic partnerships in a multi-cultural setting in Emerging markets. She has tendered technical projects to governments, the UN, and larger Key Accounts and has experience in the on-site implementation of the activities. Inge specialized in dialogue, negotiation, and building of complex and long-term partnerships with the...

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New members pouring into A2i

A warm welcome to all our new network members: • Afrika Consultancy• Baobab Consult• Bedre Syn til Afrika• Care Danmark• CISU• Dansk Forum for Mikrofinans• Lake Victoria Vanilla• Nounours Holding• Seniorer uden Grænser• Stein Consulting• The Sierra Leone - Denmark Houses and Community Partnership ProgramARKITEKTURVÆRKSTEDET ApS• Unicef Danmark  "As a network member, you become part of the Access2innovation community and support the organization at the same time. We are happy to welcome...

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Meet a member: Danish tech changes waste into quality bio-fertilizer

Meet an A2i member: BACESS/Rootzone Group “It is such a pity! Imagine how much good bio-fertilizer you can make from the leftovers from an ordinary African market. Piles of leaves, cuts from the vegetables and fruits and all other kinds of organic waste. It is just thrown out or burned. All the produce that is not sold soon degrades in the heat. All this waste we can transform into great bio-fertilizer. Which is just what the African farmer needs. There is a huge lack of good bio-fertilizer in...

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Program for Access2innovation Partnership Day (27.04.23)

?Access2innovation Partnership Day: Danish Business Opportunities on the African Markets – What are the Opportunities Now and in the Future? With this partnership day, we zoom in on what it takes to create better opportunities for Danish companies on the African continent. What are the visions of the policy makers? What do companies want? What are the experiences? And what does it take for Danish companies to succeed in the African markets? Register here. Time: 27. April at 09:30-12:00am...

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New office in Copenhagen

Access2innovation has opened an office in Copenhagen! Find us at Symbion, Fruebjergvej 3, 2100 Copenhagen. We look forward to seeing you here, in our office in Aalborg or in our office in Kampala, Uganda in Shiriki House.

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Member offer: Compliance services, work permit, or HR assistance in East Africa

As a special offer to our members, Access2innovation offers a member discount on several consultancy and compliance & business support services that help international organizations starting up operations and projects in East Africa. This is a part of our cooperation with Shiriki House, who houses our new office in Kampala. Shiriki House offers attractive and fully furnished, private offices with free access to common services and spaces such as front office, meeting facilities, café,...

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Welcome to our new CEO, Karin Lind

Karin Elisabeth Lind will take over as CEO of Foreningen Access2innovation on 1 February 2023.The new CEO has more than 20 years of experience in building and facilitating partnerships and consortia, most recently from Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid). Here and elsewhere, she has completed large projects together with such diverse partners as NGOs, companies, public institutions, and networks. In Access2innovation, together with members and the secretariat, she will promote innovative...

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Partnership-based business development – the imperfect journey to develop blended finance solutions 

DanChurchAid's head of private sector engagement, Gitte Dyrhagen Husager, will talk about the learnings that DCA has made over the last many years when investing on the operationalization of partnership-driven business development in poor and fragile countries. She will share some critical reflections on the journey, that DCA has been on for the last five years, when seeking to combine a civil society and business mind-set to develop innovative partnership models that are socially,...

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EU – Kenya + Tanzania Business Forums & Circular Economy Solutions Expo

The EU is stressing the potential of Kenya and Tanzania as two key emerging markets in Africa by organizing the first ever EU Business Forums in the two countries.  Together with fellow EU countries, Denmark is supporting this initiative to increase trade and investment. In connection with the forums, Denmark, the Netherlands, and local Kenyan partners are organizing a 1-day Circular Economy Expo showcasing international and local solutions. EU-Kenya Business Forum aims to foster European...

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How to make a successful partnership in Africa?

Get 10 valuable findings from the innovation and partnership black box from expert Jacob Ravn, founder and former CEO, Access2innovation. In recent years, partnership driven innovation has emerged as the approach in driving the development and scaling of the needed sustainable solutions in Africa. But unfortunately, the understanding of “how to partnership” is still limited and fragmented. This despite the fact that research shows that successful innovation increases when combining resources,...

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“Crucial to have a business partner in Uganda”

"It has been absolutely crucial to have a business partner who knows the African market in every nook and cranny. In this case, it is Access2innovation, which is a Danish platform for innovative, sustainable, commercial solutions for growth markets in developing countries." The words come from Claus Martinsen from BM Silo, who is interviewed in several Danish papers about our Grain project. Read the interview here. Read about the DMDP project here.   The project is financed by DMDP,...

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PIVØ project chosen for finals in SDG Tech Award 2022

Congratulations to Kioo Water Re-fill Kiosks who has been chosen for the finals of SDG Tech Awards 2022! Only five companies out of more than 300 nominated are chosen for the finals, which take place in Copenhagen December 7, 2022. Kioo Water Re-fill Kiosks are nominated in the category Water. The founder of the company, Per Egede Nielsen, has invented a way of cleaning used water bottles, before filling them with clean water. This is done in so-called Water Re-fill Kiosks. The price of...

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A2i Talk: Combining aid and trade in Ugandan agriculture

A2i Talk November 2022: Combining aid and trade in Ugandan agriculture – exploring synergies between Danish development cooperation and Danish businesses Uganda’s agricultural sector is developing. A growing middle class, fertile land, and export markets in the region makes Ugandan agriculture relevant for Danish businesses. Whether it’s processing equipment, water treatment or the import of quality coffee, there are opportunities and links. But Uganda is also a developing country where...

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Uganda-Europa Business Forum 2022 kicked off

https://www.ugandaeuropebusinessforum.com/The GANDA-EUROPE UNION BUSINESS FORUM 2022 kicked-off in October in Kampala. With kind support from the organizers and in joint partnership with the Danish Embassy in Uganda, Access2innovation was hosting a stand, that is showcasing us and solutions from PESITHO, SolarVenti A/S, 4Life Solutions, MASH Makes and the GrainHub initiative. The interest has been overwhelming. As outlined by Signe Winding Albjerg, Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda, the...

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First Danish drying plant commissioned in Uganda

Latest news from our DMDP project in Uganda The first Danish drying plant from BM Silo was commissioned on October 1, 2022. This is an important step in our DMDP project, which will improve the local harvest in Uganda with Danish innovative technology. The handover has been somewhat delayed, not least because of a problem with an unstable power supply in the area. But now the plant is running satisfactorily. In the photo, which was taken on the occasion of the handover, you can see from left...

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Welcome to our new member, Grundfos

This month Access2innovation welcomes our newest member Grundfos. Grundfos is one of the world’s leading water technology companies. Through their water solutions and services, Grundfos touches the lives of millions of people every day. Innovation is the very backbone of the company, helping them deliver value and impact ever since its foundation - more than 75 years ago. Collaborating with strategic partners to innovate is key to finding solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges...

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Our Uganda-project is progressing: First silo is up and 15 cooperatives trained

Several activities have taken place during the last few weeks. Apart from the installation of the drying unit from BM Silo, the combined seed cleaning-and milling unit from Gl. Buurholt Ltd. and Engsko Ltd. has been installed and commissioned with success at Pearl Seed near Gayaza, and the technologies have already attracted quite some attention. In February A2I arranged a seminar in Kampala for staff from World Food Programme in order to introduce the Grain Hub Project.  After a site...

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Our Uganda-project is progressing: silos are up and 15 cooperatives trained

Several activities have taken place during the last few weeks. Apart from the installation of the drying unit from BM Silo, the combined seed cleaning-and milling unit from Gl. Buurholt Ltd. and Engsko Ltd. has been installed and commissioned with success at Pearl Seed near Gayaza, and the technologies have already attracted quite some attention. In February A2I arranged a seminar in Kampala for staff from World Food Programme in order to introduce the Grain Hub Project.  After a site...

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Circular economy in an African context

11. Marts 22 Circular economy in an African context Virtual A2i-Talk Professor Arne Remmen from Aalborg University will take us through the evolution on how companies and societies have worked with circular economy. He will highlight the importance of african businesses to tap into the principles of circular economy  - what it means and how this can be done in partnerships between companies, universities and civil society organisations. Time: 9.30-10.15 CET   Follow thislink. Free...

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Do’s and Don’ts when establishing your business on the East Africa markets

 11. Februar 22 Do's and Don'ts when establishing your business on the East Africa markets Virtual A2i-Talk Tom Apina is the CEO of SustaiNet - a business support facility operating from Kenya. For many years he has supported SMEs in developing their businesses to successfully enter markets in East-Africa. In this talk he will share his experience on how to approach the markets incl. how to deal with various types of compliance issues. Time: 9.30-10.15 CET Follow this link. Free entrence. ...

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Delegation trip in november 21

In November 2021 Access2innovation had a successful delegation trip to Uganda and Tanzania. The 10 members of the trip all had an individual program with relevant meetings with local experts and authorities. Enjoy photos from the trip under here.   Contact Henrik Anker-Ladefoged på hal@access2innovation.com if you want to hear more about our next tour to the emerging African markets. Henrik Anker-Ladefoged from Access2innovation meets director Lifestock (in the middle) and Bishar Fille...

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Our Uganda-project has started

In October, our new project coordinator of the ongoing DMDP Project, Yango Azando, visited Denmark, together with Access2innovation’s representative in Uganda and expert in business development in East Africa, John Magnay. During their stay, they were introduced to the Danish partners in the DMDP project: BM Silo, Engsko United Milling Systems and Gl. Buurholt. The four year DMDP project will improve the farmer's condition in Uganda by establishing 25 decentralized grain treatment centers that...

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Video: A2i-Talk with Jeremie Pige from WFP’s Innovation Hub

Enjoy our latest Virtual A2i-Talk with Jeremie Pige from WFP's Innovation Hub Theme: Your opportunities in the World Food Program’s Innovation Hub Meet Jeremie Pige, Head of World Food Program’s Innovation hub for Eastern Africa. Jeremie Pige tells about the local demands and opportunities for engaging with the hub at A2i-Talk from October 21. In December 2020 World Food program launched the Regional Innovation hub (IGNITE). This main mission is to leverage public and private partners, provide...

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Tips on doing business in Africa from A2i expert

How to do business in East Africa? - Virtuel A2i-Talk with expert John Magnay Meet John Magnay, Access2innovation’s trusted expert in building Danish businesses in East Africa in cooperation with NGOs and investors. He is our local expert in East Africa with companies in Uganda and a background in Opportunity International. John shares his knowledge and insights from many years experience. He reflects on how finance institutions as Opportunity Bank / Abi Trust can support Danish companies and...

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Invest with Access2innovation

Impact investing with Access2Innovation We are at the moment establishing a financial platform where it will be possible to invest in loans. Here you can support innovative, Danish companies that are ready to enter the growing African growth markets. Their products and services will make a difference for the better, for example, in relation to the environment, climate or social conditions. Read five good examples below. Are you interested in impact investing? Then send an email to...

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Delegation journey to Kenya and Tanzania

Participate in Access2innovation’s delegation trip, which this time goes to Kenya and Tanzania. On the trip, you will gain knowledge of the market opportunities related to green conversion, including energy solutions, optimization of industries, waste management and wastewater management. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to utilize the synergy that can arise from a joint delegation trip among the Danish SMEs, which is expected to be able to increase your company’s...

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News about sustainable business in Africa

News about sustainable business in Africa

Monthly updates on funding, informations about the African markets and invitations to network gatherings

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