Nyheder

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...

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 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...

Our new project, Aquaculture and Advocacy for Green Fish Farming in Central Uganda, seeks to strengthen the organization and advocacy of small-scale fishpond farmers to engage in policy dialogue with local authorities, while building their capacities in sustainable aquaculture activities using green technology. This will lead to increased income for at least 100 rural fish farming families, while contributing to a positive ecological balance between the fish farms and the surrounding...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

“DIBE Grant Gave Us the Boost We Needed” “Our ICED espresso project is progressing wonderfully. We’ve just received an order for six containers from a coffee chain in the USA and additional orders from Malaysia and Vietnam, even though they have their own thriving coffee culture. Opportunities are opening up both locally in Uganda and internationally. That’s when you know you’re on the right track,” says Lars Bendix, founder of Farm Mountain Coffee, Danish Coffee APS, Liplid AB, and JAHL...

Green photos from a new 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. ​Click here to read more about the project​.

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...

Randersvirksomheden ENGSKO A/S har fået ordre på flere millioner kroner på baggrund af et Danida-finansieret projekt, som skal forbedre levevilkårene for bønder i Uganda. Projektet er koordineret af den danske platform for bæredygtig forretningsudvikling til Afrika, Access2innovation.  Nyheden har været bragt i en række danske aviser og magasiner.  ”Vi har lige solgt et stort anlæg til to millioner kroner til den ugandiske virksomhed New Kakinga Millers Enterprises Ltd. Aftalen er kommet...

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

Access2innovation and our member Food & Bio Cluster met in mid-September with the Danish Export Association, a non-profit, member-owned, and member-driven organization. Since 1965, the association has helped ambitious Danish B2B export companies achieve international growth.  "It was an exciting meeting. We see great opportunities for future collaboration and will continue the dialogue," says Henrik Anker-Ladefoged, CEO of Access2innovation.

Der er nu mulighed for at få en bachelor- eller specialestuderende tilknyttet din virksomhed /NGO. I samarbejde med de studerende udformer I et projekt, som er til gavn for både jer og de studerende.  De studerende kan rekrutteres fra henholdsvis, Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Københavns Universitet, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) samt Aalborg Universitet.  Kontakt:  Thomas Augustinus  E-mail: ta@access2innovation.com Tlf: +45 2096 1460 (også på WhatsApp)

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...

Vi ved, at de danske erhvervsmæssige styrkepositioner er relevante for Afrika. Men det kræver markedsforståelse, indgående kendskab til værdikæder samt støtte til virksomhedernes operationelle aktiviteter, hvis disse styrkepositioner skal udnyttes. Det er særligt tilfældet for små og mellemstore danske virksomheder, som har evnen til at udvikle nye og innovative løsninger der er tilpasset afrikanske markeder og behov. Erhvervsmæssigt samarbejde mellem virksomheder på det afrikanske kontinent...

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...

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...

Access2innovation is now launching a special prize for strategic membership for African organizations. The reduced membership fee is 500 USD for a year. Increased interest from Africa “With an increased interest from African organizations to become members of Access2innovation, and a strategic focus on equitable partnerships between organizations in Denmark and Africa for green growth and sustainable development, Access2innovation has introduced a reduced strategic membership fee for African...

  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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

  During 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...

“We have great ambitions. Of stronger engagement. More partnership. A stronger role for the Global South in our common institutions. A stronger role for the African countries and for the African Union.” These were the words of the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, in March 2024 when she kicked off the work on a new Africa strategy for the Danish government. Over the coming months, the government will focus on how Denmark's and the EU’s engagement with African partners can be...

Green Hub East Africa Ltd's first 13 female electric boda riders have graduated and are ready to take on the roads of Kampala.  Just one month ago, none of them had ever ridden a motorcycle before and some not even a bicycle. Today, they are confidently riding their electric motorcycles in Kampala; a city with some of the most chaotic traffic in the world. They are so confident, that for a start, even the Ugandan minister Monica Musenero took an e-ride with one of the women.  “The saying...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In 2023, IFU, the Danish Investment Fund for Developing Countries, became a member of Access2innovation (a2i). The decision reflects IFU’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and economic growth in developing countries, aligning with its core mission of investing in financially viable companies that contribute to the green transition and social development.

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...

The member of Access2innovation, The BioInnovation Institute (BII), is an international commercial foundation with a non-profit objective that accelerates world-class life science start-up innovation to benefit people and society. Through its three venture building and acceleration programs, called Bio Studio, Venture Lab, and Venture House, BII supports life science start-ups with knowledge, network, infrastructure (state-of-the-art labs and office space), business development, mentoring, and...