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Agriculture and Value Chain Development

By |17th February 2016|

Imani Development works to develop and integrate agricultural value chains, improve productive and 
processing capacity, improve competitiveness and market access for agricultural products in developing economies.

Our goal is to direct the significant support provided to the agricultural sector toward development that enhances competitiveness while benefiting poorer communities.

For over 40 years, Imani has developed specialisation in agricultural value chain analysis (VCA) including value chain development (VCD) and has completed these for several clients on various crops and commodities. It applies the farm to fork strategy, offering support from production, processing, access to markets and thesurrounding ecosystem.

Imani’s agriculture portfolio covers an array of services, including technical studies, programme design and management, enterprise development, market systems development and sustainable l livelihoods assessments, community and wildlife conflict management, climate resilience and carbon market development, trade development and trade facilitation.

Download our latest Agriculture and Productive Sectors Capacity Statement.

Agricultural development principles:

  • Context Specific: Imani’s use of staff on the ground ensures we are well positioned to undertake the collection of primary data and conduct consultations that make our work grounded in the context of implementation. The thorough understanding of local nuances ensures analyses and strategies that are practical and implementable.
  • Market Based: We base our analysis on the current market structure, future growth possibilities and market dynamics. In order to be sustainable, this theory must be applied, as it is the market that dictates the characteristics of the sector and the individual value chains within it.
  • Targets Market Players: Support to agricultural development is often approached via an external player, such as an NGO, assuming the role of an internal player. Imani focuses on permanent market players to increase the project’s sustainability when the player withdraws at the conclusion of a project.
  • Time Period of Intervention: Imani takes into account small-scale farmers hesitation towards production and marketing and recommends agricultural development programmes that are of a suitable time frame.

Project Highlights:

ENTERPRISE Zambia Challenge Fund (2020-2025)
Under the 11th European Development Fund (2014-2020) for Zambia, the European Union and the Government of Zambia have agreed on a EUR 99 million “Support to the sustainable commercialisation of Zambia’s smallholder farmers” Programme. The first and largest component of this operation aims at supporting investments conducive to strengthening the market integration of smallholder farmers into value chain developments, through innovative business models including agribusiness operators and smallholders. This project seeks to create markets for up to 150,000 small scale farmers and producers, and more than 8,000 new jobs in the sector over the next five years. Imani Development’s role in the management of ENTERPRISE Zambia Challenge Fund include technical assistance, undertaking extensive value chain assessments, reviewing business plans, as well as implementation support to successful applicants.

Supporting Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Certification for Lesotho’s Trout Sector (2022-2023)
Delivered under the Trade Forward Southern Africa (TFSA) programme (designed and co-implemented by Imani Development), this assignment delivered coordination, facilitation, and technical assistance support to Lesotho’s aquaculture industry in receiving best aquaculture practice (BAP) certification to expand access to new markets (incl. Japan & USA) and deepen access to existing markets. Imani Development provided direct support to two large-scale trout farms to mobilising bap auditors facilitating a preliminary compliance auditing process, developed a compliance baseline framework, provided advisory and technical to achieve BAP certification, and delivered industry-wide standards and certification training national and regional workshops to value chain actors and industry stakeholders.

EIB Intermediated Lending Operations for Agri-Food Sector SMEs Integrating Smallholders (2020-2024)
The purpose of this technical assistance programme is to support access to finance for the agricultural sector in Malawi and Zambia by (i) enhancing financial institution’s capacity to assess, execute and monitor longer-term investment projects in agri-food value chains that aim to integrate smallholder farmers in the respective value chain and (ii) supporting potential final beneficiary enterprises and groups of smallholder farmers to develop market linkages through off-take and service provision agreements and enhance group capabilities to develop and implement viable investment projects. Imani Development was contracted to provide technical support to ensure credit facility compliance with EIB processes and requirements, design and deliver tailor made capacity building and training to FIs and FBs.

AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund (2018 – 2023)
The AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund is designed and implemented by Imani Development and Self Help Africa (SHA). The objective is to improve the capacity of 100,000 smallholder farmers and pastoralists to practise environmentally sustainable and climate-smart agriculture and a business in inclusive value chains. Through an innovative challenge fund approach, AgriFI Kenya will also sub-grant approximately €19 million through a competitive call for funding. Target sectors of the grant will be the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors, including their respective down-stream industries. Imani’s role in the management of AgriFI Kenya includes technical design of the fund, technical assistance (including the provision of value chain assessments using the Market Systems Development and Sustainable Livelihoods frameworks), due diligence of applicants, and the provision of technical support and business development services to successful applicants.

Ireland Kenyan Agri-Food Strategy (IKAFS) (2023)
The Ireland-Kenya Agri-Food Strategy 2017-2021 (IKAFS) was launched in 2017 and aimed to bring together Ireland’s objectives in development cooperation, trade promotion and the development of institutional linkages in a manner that enhances cooperation and investment in agri-food for the mutual benefit of Ireland and Kenya. The first phase of the strategy came to an end in 2022.

The Irish Embassy plans to develop the next 5-year agri-food strategy which will incorporate an integrated food systems approach and guide the delivery of Ireland and Kenya’s key development priorities. As programme design and management specialists, Imani was contracted to design and facilitate the strategy development process through a consultative and evidence-based process that will yield a results-orientated Agri-Food strategy.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) Climate Change Research Amongst Female Tea Growers (2022)
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), under the FCDO’s Work and Opportunities for Women Programme (WOW), entrusted Imani to conduct research on the impacts of climate change on female tea growers in Thyolo and Mulanje districts, with special attention to climate resilience and adaptation. Imani conducted a series of participatory workshops and key informant interviews to gauge the effects of climate change across three domains (tea sector, household, and community levels), as well as assessing general risk/vulnerability and recommending strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (2014-2022)
The Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF)  was a UD$22 million UNDP initiative that offered grant financing for innovative projects in Malawi’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. MICF provided matching grant financing to businesses and financial institutions, enabling them to develop innovative products, delivery channels, and business models that can increase the number of SMEs receiving formal financing in Malawi.

Imani Development was assigned the role of project implementation manager, offering specialized services for the agribusiness funding window. Key activities included technical and financial appraisal of concept notes, due diligence for potential grantees, development of project logic models and monitoring frameworks, performance monitoring and reporting, and input to policy engagement on Private Sector Development through the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Ethical and Fair Trade Development

Imani’s strategic intent is to work with marginalised producers and workers in poor countries in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency. Imani engages at all stages and levels of the process – from informing policy development in Europe to working with Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) registered producers in East and Southern Africa and Asia. Imani has been working with ethical and fair trade companies and initiatives, such as the Fairtrade Foundation and Fairtrade Africa, since 2002.

Imani bridges the gap between supplier and buyer within the value chain and has experience in getting products to markets on time for buyers. With our base, background and offices in Africa, Imani brings a unique perspective to ethical and fair trade and is fundamentally committed to promoting equitable regional and international trade.

Imani’s services in the Fair Trade arena include:

  • In-depth knowledge of Fair Trade and Product Supply Chains
  • Assisting organisations new to Fairtrade to comply with standards and become registered with FLO
  • Assisting with new product development and sourcing suitable suppliers to fulfil this need
  • Maintaining long term relationships on behalf of companies with suppliers
  • Ensuring strong supply chains often in the face of extremely difficult trading conditions
  • Preparing policy documents and proposals to support the development of Fair Trade as a global initiative
  • Developing product and supplier strategies that reflect their values and objectives
  • Lobbying FLO on the producers behalf regarding issues of standards and compliance
  • Quality management through product development, improvement and innovation
  • Capacity building through training in Fair Trade and through organisational development and improving performance
  • Assisting small-scale farmers in accessing markets
  • Improving quality and farmer revenues through identifying and establishing ‘win-win’ projects
  • Engineering sustainability into the supply chain
  • Measuring the impact of Fair Trade projects and organisations
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Agriculture and Productive Sectors Capacity Statement

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International Trade Policy and Trade Facilitation

By |10th February 2015|

Trade and Regional Integration.

For over 40 years, Imani Development has been actively engaged in shaping Africa’s trade agenda. Our work focuses on reducing trade barriers, and creating inclusive policy environments that allow for quicker, easier, and more affordable movement of goods and services across the region.

Since 1982, we have worked alongside governments, regional economic communities, and international donors to strengthen trade agreements and assist in their practical implementation. We have extensive experience in operationalisation of free trade agreements and regional economic commitments, with a focus on negotiations, implementation, monitoring on international trade, investment, and development cooperation agreements such as the EU EPA, AGOA, AfCFTA, TIDCA, EBA and the tripartite FTA.

Imani Development has committed to developing stronger regional, continental and global linkages, working alongside the African Regional Economics Communities such as Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC).

Imani’s services in the area of international trade policy and trade facilitation:

  • Development of trade policies and trade strategies
  • Assisting governments in the negotiations of WTO rounds, specifically the Doha Development Agenda
  • Assisting governments and regional economic communities in regional trade agreements
  • Facilitating North-South trade and development negotiations such as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
  • Building the capacity of governmental ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to formulate and implement trade policy strategies
  • Comprehensive impact assessments and sustainability studies of trade agreements, policies and programmes

Download our latest Trade Development Capacity Statement.

Project Highlights:

National Roll-Out of Coordinated Border Management in Malawi (2025 – Ongoing)
Following a successful piloting of the Malawi CBM Model at Mwanza Border Post (2021-2023), this project implements a national roll-out of CBM across 21 ports of entry, exit, and transit in Malawi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA). This initiative will modernize, harmonize, and standardize border operations by reducing the number of agencies involved in border clearance processes to six, and improving inter- and intra-governmental and cross-border coordination. Imani Development delivers this project under three workstreams: project management support to MoTI and MRA in planning, coordinating, and managing the procurement of border equipment, HR recruitment, inter-agency coordination, change management, and performance monitoring; technical assistance in reengineering clearance processes, conducting physical site suitability and readiness assessments, facilitating the removal of non-core agencies, and providing support in legislative and regulatory matters.

Supporting AGRA’s Priorities in Enhancing the Participation of Women & Youth in Trade (2024 – 2025)
The aim of this assignment was to generate solid evidence, establish baseline data, and identify policy, market, and institutional gaps that limit the participation of the youth and women-led businesses in trade in Eastern, Southern, and West Africa, identifying key areas for AGRA to target programmatic interventions. The project was delivered by an Imani Development-led consortium under five workstreams: (1) identifying the most impactful agricultural value chains for youth and women; (2) carrying out a baseline assessment to understand current levels of and challenges to increased participation in regional trade; (3) reviewing trade-related policies, strategies, and instruments at regional and continental levels; (4) evaluating the effectiveness of NTB reporting and monitoring platforms used by youth and women, and; (5) mapping and profiling key stakeholders involved in trade, including business associations and cross-border trader groups.

Promoting Export-Led Economic Transformation under the SACUM/UK EPA (2024 – 2025)
The UK Government is committed to supporting inclusive and sustainable economic transformation and deepening trade and investment relations for partner countries under the SACUM/UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). In support of this, an Imani Development-led consortium was commissioned to support the UK FCDO in engaging with SACUM/UK EPA states to identify priority sectors and value chains with high potential to drive export-led growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. Services included in-depth analysis of UK trade-enabling cooperation instruments, as well as other regional frameworks (AfCFTA, SADC, and SACU), benchmarking lessons from Aid for Trade and Trade & Sustainable Development best practices, conducting trade and investment performance analyses, and facilitating consultations with the public sector, private sector firms, donors, and civil society through country missions in Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Namibia, roundtables in the UK, and a regional validation workshop with BHC country offices in the SACUM region. The findings and recommendations informed UK priority actions, partners, and resource mobilisation in support of refinement and operationalisation of the SACUM/UK EPA.

Development of a High-Level TiS Policy Guide for the AfCFTA Secretariat (2023–2025)
To support finalisation of services negotiations and operationalisation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services, Imani Development was contracted to develop a comprehensive, practical, and action-oriented policy guide to inform activities by the AfCFTA Secretariat and its various directorates. Services included a detailed technical review of the state of services liberalisation across AfCFTA Member States and RECs, and the identification of relevant support initiatives by the Secretariat, Afreximbank, RECs, and development partners. This was complemented by stakeholder consultations with national regulators and other public sector stakeholders to uncover challenges and support needs. The resulting policy guide detailed priority action, implementation partners, resource mobilisation strategies, a time-based delivery roadmap, and a draft regulatory framework on Travel and Tourism.

Study on Africa-US Trade and Investment Relationship Beyond AGOA 2025 (2022)
In exploring how Africa and the United States could strengthen their longer-term economic ties and trade relationship, this study provided a comprehensive and detailed diagnostic of their trade and investment relationship under AGOA and various other Africa-US instruments. A detailed review of the contents and performance of these instruments, as well as comparative instruments with other trading partners (incl. EU, China, India, etc), complemented by extensive consultation with high-level public and private sector stakeholders and futures scenario modelling informed recommendations presented to an Extraordinary Meeting of African Ministers in Washington, DC.

Enhancing Maritime Connectivity Project in the South-West Indian Ocean (EMCP-SWIO) (2021 – 2022)
The objective of the assignment was to strengthen regional cooperation on maritime trade among members of the Ports Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) by improving access to shipping and port data for better planning by shipping service providers, and to support the development of a Maritime Single Window. Services were delivered across two key components: (1) project management and stakeholder engagement support to strengthen the IOC and PMAESA secretariats’ capacities to plan, execute, and coordinate project execution (2) technical and diagnostic services in preparing maritime trade transport diagnostic reports for involved countries, developed and piloted the SWIO Regional Maritime Information System.

UNDP- Development of the Revised Botswana Exporter Development Programme (2019-2020)
This assignment required the redesign of the Botswana Exporter Development Programme (BEDP) to in line with recommendations and considerations highlighted in the evaluation. The revised BEDP targeted priority sectors and incorporated priority cross cutting issues, such as market access arrangements, trade information provision, quality assurance and standards. The revised BEDP gave significant focus on sustainable and gender positive poverty reduction in its design.

Development of a Framework for the Establishment of One Stop Border Posts at Kazungula (2017-2020)
The Kazungula Bridge is a joint project between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and the Government of the Republic of Zambia. The Project lies on the border between the two countries on the North-South Corridor (NSC), a vital trade route in SADC. Imani Development was contracted to provide technical support towards establishing and operationalising the One Stop Border Post at Kazungula. Through a range of technical assistance and capacity building activities the team developed procedures for OSBP operations at the Kazungula boarder.

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Trade & Regional Integration Capacity Statement

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Private Sector Development

By |10th February 2015|

Imani has a long history of working in both prominent strands of the private sector. The first is public sector development which involves support to developing a more favourable business climate within a country. This includes identifying barriers to business setup and growth and developing policies to overcome these. The second strand consists of hands on support to private operators (farmers, SMMEs, large businesses) and private sector associations. Imani has worked directly with governments and regional bodies (the PTA, COMESA, SADC, the EAC and PIPSO) as well as with industry (tea, coffee, aquaculture, textiles, agro-processors, SMMEs, inclusive businesses and business associations).

Identifying early on that the private sector needed to be included in this process of regional integration in Africa, Imani has helped governments develop policies that support private sector growth, such as credible pro-industry regulation, industrial development and investment promotion strategies. Our wealth of operational experience means we are able to offer practical support to businesses, business associations, government, civil society and public-private sector dialogues. Imani has undertaken many PSD studies and participated in numerous workshops and seminars across Africa and in the Pacific, helped governments formulate economic growth and export strategies, facilitated trade partnerships, and established high level discussion platforms for constructive engagement between government, private sector, civil society and the development community.

Download our latest Sustainable Business and Enterprise Development Capacity Statement.

Private Sector Development services offered by Imani:

  • Competitiveness and Structural Transformation
  • Economic Growth and Export Strategies
  • Identifying Constraints to Business and Cluster Development
  • Industrial Policy
  • Enabling Environment Programmes and Policies
  • Doing Business Index Improvement Programmes
  • Public-Private Dialogue and Cooperation
  • Investment Promotion and Facilitation
  • Trade Policy and Negotiation
  • Trade Facilitation
  • Access to Finance Policies and Programmes
  • Institutional Capacity Development around Private Sector Development
  • Innovation challenge fund and innovation matching grant fund management

Project Highlights:

Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies) (2020 – 2024)
Africa RISE is a EUR 12.7 million technical assistance facility funded by the European Union, which aims is to promote business development and improve the investment climate in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, in support of inclusive and sustainable growth, job creation and decent work. The technical facility covers 25 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, assisting private and public sector organisations at national and regional level.

Imani Development was contracted to provide technical assistance services to support interventions aimed at creating a fertile environment for private sector growth, addressing market failures, enhancing value chains and competitiveness.

Assignments delivered to date by Imani Development as lead or supporting partner include:

– Feasibility Study on a Wool & Mohair Testing Facility in Lesotho;
– Scoping study for the identification of an Access to Finance Action for Tanga and Mwanza Cities;
– Technical assistance for mapping of the informal sector in Zimbabwe and identification of possible projects for young entrepreneurs;
– Feasibility Study to Improve Export Potential for Botswana Goods and Services to the DR Congo Market;
– Capacity building on investment & trade promotion and facilitation for the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre;
– Development of a policy framework on anti-illicit trade for the COMESA region;
– Study into economic impact for tourism sector development in Eswatini;
– Strategy for the development of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals in Mauritius; IEC
– Private sector action document support in Zambia;
– Position papers for private sector engagement in the EAC region;
– Anti-corruption support in Malawi;
– Support to action document for improving the business environment in Malawi;
– Dissemination and planning workshop to follow up on the NICF for Botswana.

AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund (2018 – 2023)
The AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund was designed and implemented by Imani Development and Self Help Africa (SHA). The objective is to improve the capacity of 100,000 smallholder farmers and pastoralists to practise environmentally sustainable and climate-smart agriculture and a business in inclusive value chains. Through an innovative challenge fund approach, the project will sub-grant approximately €19 million through a competitive call for funding. Target sectors of the grant will be the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors, including their respective down-stream industries.

Green Economy Transition Facility (GETF) (2023-2025)
The Green Economy Transition Facility (GETF) is an initiative aimed at catalysing green business solutions in Malawi. Financed by UNDP and Irish Aid, the GETF is birthed out of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Growth Accelerator (GA) and is designed to support private sector companies in initiating and scaling alternative energy and fuel-efficient solutions. The GA/GETF will support approximately 91 enterprise projects with a total portfolio value of approximately USD5,486,000. Imani Development and Landell Mills are fund managers for the Green Accelerator and the Green Economy Transition Facility (GETF).

Study on SMEs and Value Chains and Trade Development in Southern Africa (Sep 2022 – June 2023)
This UNECA funded assignment sought to understand the challenges and opportunities that MSMEs face in growing their participation in national, regional and global value chains. It prioritized cases where innovation has facilitated increased participation and utilisation of preferential and global trade agreements by MSMEs. The objective was to strengthen capacities of MSMEs in Southern Africa, focusing on how they can leverage innovative approaches to address competitiveness challenges during and after adverse shocks like the COVID pandemic. The assignment involved country visits to Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. The final deliverable was a selection of case studies based on findings from research on Technology and Innovation among MSMEs in Southern Africa.

ESG among African Private Sector to enhance sustainable business practices in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) (2022-2023)
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) has increasingly become an important factor in determining the competitiveness of businesses as they operate in society, with a critical focus on the sustainability of their activities. Worldwide trade and investment agreements and arrangements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), have recognised the need to contribute towards advancing ESG and in turn, helping to achieve positive benefits across the triple bottom line (People, Planet and Profit).
Imani Development was contracted to conduct a survey among the African Private Sector to ascertain the current practices of ESG. The main objectives were to (i) take stock of the current ESG status; (ii) identify current challenges and issues; (iii) devise key strategic recommendations to enhance the practices of ESG among the African Private Sector and sustainable business practices in the AfCFTA market.

Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF) (2014 – 2017 & 2018 – 2022)

The Malawi Innovation Challenge Fund (MICF)  was a UD$22 million UNDP initiative that offered grant financing for innovative projects in Malawi’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. MICF provided matching grant financing to businesses and financial institutions, enabling them to develop innovative products, delivery channels, and business models that can increase the number of SMEs receiving formal financing in Malawi.

Imani Development was assigned the role of project implementation manager, offering specialized services for the agribusiness funding window. Key activities included technical and financial appraisal of concept notes, due diligence for potential grantees, development of project logic models and monitoring frameworks, performance monitoring and reporting, and input to policy engagement on Private Sector Development through the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

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Sustainable Business and Enterprise Development Capacity Statement

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