African Agripreneurs Drive Innovation and Sustainability in Global Food Systems
African agripreneurs are reshaping global food systems through innovation, quality and sustainability. At the Nordic African Business Summit 2025, the International Trade Centre (ITC) highlighted how small businesses are creating new trade and investment opportunities—opening fresh avenues for engagement with the Nordic region.
A new wave of African entrepreneurs is redefining the continent’s food and beverage industries by producing innovative, high-quality and globally competitive products.
Nordic African Business Summit 2025
At the 14th Nordic African Business Summit 2025, held in Oslo, ITC joined more than 250 leaders from business, government and investment to promote sustainable agribusiness partnerships between Africa and the Nordic region.
ITC showcased eight African agrifood enterprises and two business support organizations from across the continent—from Eswatini to Ghana and Ethiopia—demonstrating how small businesses are blending cultural heritage, technology and sustainable practices to meet global market demand.
“Through our Alliances for Action approach, ITC connects producers, processors and investors to build value chains that translate trade into better incomes, resilient communities and inclusive growth,” said Vanessa Erogbogbo, ITC Director for Sustainable and Inclusive Trade.
“Africa’s agribusiness transformation shows that responsible investment and joint value creation can drive green, inclusive growth for all.”
Opening New Trade and Investment Opportunities
The ITC delegation’s participation—under the Summit theme “The New Trade Frontier: Africa’s Role in Global Supply Chain Diversification”—focused on identifying new investment and sourcing opportunities with the Norwegian private sector.
Engagements with partners such as the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), and the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) facilitated networking and opened pathways for potential future collaboration.
From award-winning sauces and bean-to-bar chocolate to premium coffee and nutritious cashew products, African enterprises showcased the diversity and dynamism of the continent’s agrifood landscape—highlighting how responsible sourcing, quality processing and fair partnerships can generate shared prosperity.
With the right partnerships and investment, sourcing from Africa delivers high-quality products, sustainable supply chains, and a direct contribution to inclusive growth.
Continuing Africa–Nordic Trade Linkages
Building on the Summit’s success, ITC will continue to strengthen Africa–Nordic trade and investment connections through its programmes, including Alliances for Action, ACP Business-Friendly, EU Youth Empowerment, Alliances in Eswatini, and SheTrades. These initiatives aim to support more small businesses—especially those led by women and youth—to succeed in global markets.
“The Nordic Africa Business Summit was truly inspiring; it highlighted the vast potential that exists within Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.”
About the Programme: Alliances for Action (A4A)
Alliances for Action (A4A) is an ITC flagship initiative dedicated to transforming global food systems by fostering sustainable and inclusive agricultural value chains and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Operating globally, the A4A team brings together farmers, processors, buyers, cooperatives and capital providers to create networks that enhance resilience and competitiveness for agribusinesses and smallholder farmers. The programme emphasizes ethical, climate-smart practices aligned with the UN SDGs to promote sustainable growth and social equity.
Through tailored tools, business opportunities, resources and capacity-building initiatives, A4A empowers agribusinesses to thrive in competitive markets, unlocking their full potential while creating shared value across the agricultural value chain.