Welcome to the Entrepreneurship in African Agribusiness Course Hub

The Entrepreneurship in African Agribusiness course is a free, practical learning resource developed by the Agripreneurship Alliance to support the growth of new and emerging agrifood businesses across Africa. It is designed for both individual entrepreneurs and the organisations that work with them, including incubators, training institutions, universities, and development partners. 

Rooted in real experience from across the continent, this course equips young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to build sustainable, impactful, and professional businesses in the agrifood sector. Whether you're starting a small enterprise or supporting others to do so, this course is for you. You’ll be guided through a step-by-step process to develop a complete business plan, one that supports both the launch and growth of a real business. Along the way, you’ll build practical skills in problem-solving, market understanding, financial planning, and strategic communication.

This is not an academic course. There is no certificate at the end. Instead, it is designed to help you take action, test ideas, and create a business that works in the real world. We recommend allowing at least 25 weeks, with a time investment of 75–100 hours, to complete the course. It can be used individually or in group settings, and is ideal for facilitated programmes with structured discussions and mentoring.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for those building or supporting businesses in the African agrifood SME sector,  from primary production (such as farming, aquaculture, or harvesting) to processing (primary and secondary), and across the service sector (such as logistics, marketing, packaging, input supply, and ICT for agriculture). It’s especially relevant for young people and women, and for any entrepreneur or support organisation working to create businesses that do more than just make a profit, businesses that:

• Create decent employment
• Promote food security and food safety
• Strengthen local economies
• Create wealth for individuals, families, and communities
• Deliver positive social and environmental impact

What’s inside?

The course is built around 7 modules, each broken into short, focused units. Along the way, you’ll use 22 practical tools to help you reflect, plan, and take action. These tools guide you through real business challenges and help you apply what you’ve learned directly to your own enterprise. You’ll find:

• Tools to help you develop and test your business idea, focusing on solving real problems and meeting customer needs
• Tools to help you understand your market and customers
• Support to design a sustainable and realistic business model
• Guidance to build your financial plan and manage resources
• Resources to help you pitch your business and plan for growth

A visual overview of the course structure is included below to show how each module builds toward a complete and compelling business plan.

Ready to begin?

Start with by downloading your copy of the Essential Course Workbook and then moving on to Module 1 Welcome and Orientation. We encourage you to move through the course step by step, each part builds on the last, helping you turn your ideas into a strong, working business plan that can create change in your life and your community.