Event: 2026-10-27 – 2026-10-28 - In-person Training (Accra, Ghana) and Hybrid
Introduction
The African Forest Forum (AFF), in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), is organizing a two-day Business Development Services (BDS) Training for youth and women engaged in, or interested in establishing, nature-based and green enterprises in Ghana.
This in-person training builds on AFF's earlier eLearning webinar series on forest-based business development, and is delivered under the project "Scaling Youth-Led Climate Innovations for a Greener Africa: Enhancing Compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) through Sustainable Land Management and Landscape Restoration."
The training will equip youth and women entrepreneurs with practical skills to identify viable green business opportunities, develop bankable business models and plans, access finance and enterprise support services, and build sustainable, deforestation-free enterprises across sectors such as cocoa agroforestry, tree seedling production, beekeeping, bamboo and timber products, shea and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs), eco-tourism, renewable energy, waste recycling, and ecosystem restoration.
Goal
To strengthen the entrepreneurial capacities of youth and women in Ghana to establish, manage, and scale viable, deforestation-free green enterprises that generate sustainable livelihoods, advance the bioeconomy, conserve forests and biodiversity, and build community resilience to climate change.
Specific Objectives
- Enhance youth and women's understanding of deforestation-free and green business opportunities for bioeconomy development in Ghana.
- Strengthen entrepreneurial and business-planning capacities so participants can develop and implement a green business plan.
- Improve understanding of and access to business development services, finance, and enterprise support ecosystems.
- Build participants' capacities in marketing, branding, and financial management.
- Guide participants to start new green businesses or expand existing ones through tailored business development support.
Who Should Apply
Young men and women (18–35) currently operating or planning to establish nature-based or green enterprises, including in forestry, NTFPs, agroforestry, recycling, eco-tourism, clean energy, beekeeping, or sustainable agriculture — or those committed to becoming youth champions for green enterprise development.
Programme Overview
Day 1 — Understanding Green Business Opportunities and Business Planning
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Green Enterprises
- Bioeconomy Opportunities in Africa (forests, NTFPs, agroforestry, bamboo, medicinal plants, wild honey)
- Deforestation-Free and Green Value Chains
- Business Opportunity Identification and Feasibility Assessment
- Green Business Model Development (Green Business Model Canvas)
- Business Planning and Enterprise Management
Day 2 — Enterprise Development, Financing and Growth
- Business Development Services and Support Ecosystems
- Access to Finance and Investment Readiness
- Marketing and Branding of Green Products and Services
- Financial Management Fundamentals
- Enterprise Growth Strategies and Market Linkages
- Business Pitching and Action Planning
Expected Outcomes
- Improved knowledge and skills in green business identification, planning, financial management, and marketing.
- Each participant develops a viable business plan with clear strategy, financials, and operational goals.
- Participants deliver a business pitch and build networking connections with enterprise support organizations.
- Stronger readiness to access green finance instruments.
Deadline for Application: 12th October 2026
Read concept note : Apply here
For more information, contact: t.endalamaw@cifor-icraf.org (CC: exec.sec@afforum.org)
Join us to explore how youth-led innovation and sustainable, nature-based enterprises can drive green growth and climate resilience in Ghana.