Blog Building agribusiness foundational capacity in Malawi and Zambia bootcamps
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, through the EMBE project with IWMI, held agribusiness bootcamps in Malawi and Zambia in 2025 to equip entrepreneurs with skills, confidence, and networks for sustainable growth.
Every harvest begins with a seed and for many small agribusinesses in Malawi and Zambia, that seed was planted during the recent agribusiness bootcamps.
Organized by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through the Enabling Market Intelligence and Building Engagement (EMBE) project, in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and CGIAR Scaling for Impact, the bootcamps were not just about training. They became a space where science was blended with business, ideas came alive, where peers shared experiences, and where entrepreneurs found both the confidence and the tools to take their agribusinesses to the next level.
A highlight of the bootcamps was watching participants light up during the fireside chat with investors, a session that turned big, intimidating concepts about fundraising into real, relatable conversations. The field visit to Good Nature Agro in Lusaka offered another powerful moment, showing how ideas can grow into thriving enterprises.
The bootcamps brought together a carefully designed mix of sessions that balanced technical knowledge with hands-on application. Participants explored how simple AI-driven tools and behavioral science can strengthen agribusiness resilience by identifying and managing internal risks within teams and external risks across markets and customers. They learned how to shape impact stories that resonate, while also mapping customer journeys to ensure that no opportunity is lost in reaching the “last mile.”
Participants engaging in a practical training session during the Agribusiness Bootcamps in Zambia
Sessions on gender equality and social inclusion encouraged participants to rethink how inclusivity can be woven into their business models, while discussions on climate-smart water and soil solutions highlighted practical ways to build resilience against environmental challenges. Entrepreneurs also strengthened their fundraising readiness by working through strategies to approach capital with clarity and confidence. Finally, they explored how digital tools can be harnessed responsibly and inclusively, ensuring no one is left behind in the process of modernization.
For many, this mix of sessions sparked not just learning but transformation. As one participant reflected,
“I am fully equipped, the lessons learnt and knowledge gained is top notch… with the training, the dimensions will change.” Another shared, “Very much energized to take the next step.”
Together, these sessions ensured that participants did not just walk away with abstract concepts. Rather, they left with actionable strategies and a renewed confidence to put them into practice in their own agribusiness journeys.
For many of the participants, the bootcamps planted new ideas and confidence. But just like a seed, growth requires care and continued nourishment. That is why so many have already signed up for the Impact Measurement and Management online course launching in September 2025.
Do not miss this opportunity to strengthen your skills in impact measurement and management.
