The COMESA EAC Horticulture Accelerator has kick-started due diligence and capacity assessments of the 24 pre-selected applicants of the CEHA matching grants in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, with Ethiopia marking the first country of visit. The CEHA Matching Grants are designed to accelerate the growth and sustainability of horticultural value chains.
To align efforts on accelerating the Horticulture sector in the region, discussions were held with strategic partners, including, the Ethiopia CEHA National Chapter, the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association, GIZ, and TechnoServe, with a focus on reviewing the CEHA implementation status in Ethiopia and support provision to the current CEHA MGFIAM beneficiaries. Other areas of focus were potential collaboration on conducting the capacity assessment of the prequalified applicants and monitoring the progress status of the current CEHA beneficiaries, including exploring partnerships and collaborations to advance the horticulture sector.
The due diligence exercise forms part of the series of activities undertaken by CEHA following the 2nd Call for applications for the CEHA Matching Grants to agribusinesses in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda issued on 14th November 2025.
The MGFIAM initiative supports innovative agribusiness projects that contribute to the improvement of farming household incomes, rural economic development, and gender equity through horticultural value chains across the region. The current seven awardees from the CEHA target countries include; Tana Flora PLC and Berhanu Integrated Farm, of Ethiopia; SOUK Farms Limited, Early Generation Seed Potato and AVOCARE Ltd of Rwanda; Uganda National Seed Potato Producers Association Ltd and Masaka Cooperative of Uganda.
In addition to financial support, the program offers tailored non-financial assistance, including business development advice, value chain integration, and market access facilitation.
The CEHA program aims to accelerate the growth of the Fruit and Vegetable (F&V) sub-sector of the COMESA and EAC Regions with an initial focus on three priority anchor value chains, namely avocado, onion, and Irish potatoes. The three value chains were selected based on agronomic, logistical, and regulatory challenges and opportunities that are common to many other fruits and vegetable crops.
Currently valued at USD 4 billion, to double or triple in the next 10 years, the CEHA program is supported by the Gates Foundation and was created in 2022 through public and private sector partners to better coordinate policy, value chain development programs, financing, research, and development.
We are thrilled to have commenced the due diligence exercise and look forward with enthusiasm to onboard the 2nd Cohort of the CEHA awardees that are set to receive the matching grants of up to $ 100,000 United States Dollars, and leverage non-financial assistance, including business development advice, value chain integration, and market access facilitation. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!!!
