First Thursdays

Nwando Ajene:

• In creating your brand story, in simple terms, you need to articulate why your company or brand exist
• In creating your brand story, you need to have a vision, mission, and values.
• For effective marketing campaigns, you need to consistently change your digital strategies and be truthful to your intended audience.
•  In terms of content development, you need to consider the demographic characteristics of your intended audience and plan your content based on that.
• Streamlining your focus is very important in digital marketing. Be concise and deliberate with your content strategy and digital marketing efforts.

Zubby Emodi:

• It is extremely hard for anyone to trust a brand that is not consistent, You need to be consistent with your digital marketing efforts.
• You develop a good brand by developing your positioning statement, creating a unique brand personality, gaining audience insights, and by developing an emotional appeal.
• In gaining audience insights, you look for endogenous and exogenous factors that motivate your audience.
• A good brand does not mean a lot of followers but the right followers.
• The ultimate goal of branding is to stand out and you must stand out.
• When you're in tune with your brand, you will be able to communicate to your intended audience effectively

Nhlanhla Dlamini,
Founder and CEO of Maneli Pets,
South Africa and Nandi Pets Inc, US:

• When starting an export business, make sure you have a strong local customer base so that your business does not solely depend on exports.
• Due diligence is crucial to the success of any export business

Temitope Jebutu,
Managing Director AACE Foods, Nigeria:

• Build confidence with your buyers through the quality of your products.
• It is important to register with the appropriate export regulatory agencies in your country before you can can export other countries.
• You must research and understand the standard specifications required for your product for each country you plan on exporting to.

Henri E. Stetter,
Senior Private Sector Development Advisor,
USAID/West Africa Trade and Investment Hub:

• Key elements to increase product competitiveness:
  • Productive enhancement
  • IT infrastructure improvement
  • Implementation of quality standards
  • Innovation
  • Market access and export development
  • Logistics.
• Your product needs to be market-led and fulfil their needs in order to be competitive in the global market

Kara Diallo
AGOA Specialist,
USAID/West Africa Trade and Investment Hub

• AGOA's objectives include:
  • Promoting increased trade and investment between the US and Sub-Saharan Africa Countries.
  • Promoting increased access and opportunities for US investors and business in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Promoting economic development and reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa
• AGOA eligible businesses can export under AGOA with a 0% duty free treatment

CARL MANLAN
COO, Ecobank Foundation

• A good idea does not necessarily translate into a good investment. You need to show that you have a strong business case. Focus on getting your market, your customers are your first investors!.
• Be authentic! Let your pitch be a representation of your aspirations, and make sure it shows that there is a trajectory to move forward.

YVONNE OTIENO
CEO, Myonga Fresh Greens. Kenya

• Investors are humans, and they are happier to learn about your mistakes and how you have corrected those mistakes, than your perfections. Keep it real!.

MODOU N.S. N'JIE
CEO, Farm Fresh Gambia & Money Farm
The Gambia

• It is important to assess the type of investors you want onboard. What type of value do you want them to bring to your business?

• It is important to do your research before applying for funding. Ensure that your business goals align with the mission and strategy of the funder

Deji Adebusoye, Principal Facility Director, Sahel Capital.

• The agricultural sector is not lacking in funding; investment readiness is the real challenge

Entrepreneurs should have a seat on the table when policies affecting their businesses are formulated.

Some of the major challenges facing Agri-food entrepreneurs in Africa include lack of funding opportunities, infrastructure and limitation of land for farming.

Entrepreneurs, more than ever, need to stay updated with information and trends in the agri-food sector.

More Agri-food entrepreneurs need to work together to make sure they meet this demand placed on their producs.