Building agribusiness foundational capacity in Malawi and Zambia bootcamps

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.”