Agova

Agova - a consultancy that finds business value in addressing social challenges #zambia #consult #socent #socinn

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Happy 60 Years of Remarkable Resilience, Progress, and Growth, Zambia!

#Zambiaat60

[Agova @AgovaSV]

#ZIIS24 Our MD Duniya Mupeso , sharing her expertise on "Navigating Zambia's Business Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities in Accessing Finance and Support for Growth".

We are very happy to be part of this discussion.

#SMEgrowth #Agovasv @Acvess2Finance #Impactinvestment

[Agova @AgovaSV]

It’s on today! #ZIIS24
Catch our MD's session tomorrow as she shares her expertise on "Navigating Zambia’s Business Landscape: Challenges & Opportunities in Accessing Finance and Support for Growth."

Excited to share insights! See you there. 👋 #Regrowth #Agova2Finance

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Join @IBaseden, our DSG as she moderates a session on "Creating Impact Hubs at #ZIIS24 on 10/10/24 at 3:30 PM.
Come and share your insights and be part of the conversation!
#agovasv #sharedvalue #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #ImpactHubs #ZIIS24 #Networking #ImpactInvestment

[Agova @AgovaSV]

This week we are in Eastern Province, checking on the progress of the #StudyCircles we established and assessing how well out-grower managers are distributing inputs for the upcoming farming season.Exciting times ahead as the #USAIDEDGE project continues to empower #SMEs

[Agova @AgovaSV]

@cinea_eu @EU_MARE @EMODnet @CMEMS_EU @BlueEconomyEU @VLIZnews @IocUnesco @EuropeAtlasSeas @EuroGOOS @GOOSocean @EMBRC_EU

[Agova @AgovaSV]

@cinea_eu @EU_MARE @EMODnet @CMEMS_EU @BlueEconomyEU @VLIZnews @IocUnesco @EuropeAtlasSeas @EuroGOOS @GOOSocean @EMBRC_EU Awwww aa

[Indiana Baseden @IBaseden]

1 day late but…. celebrating World MSME Day!
Shout out to our agri-SME partners who have come out of a terrible drought this past agricultural season and are already innovating to support their farmers with climate-resilient and sustainable solutions. #FOF #EDGE #MSMEgrowth

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Day 2 of the #farmexpo.Visit us at stand D41, at the #RandG arena, Ngwerere Road and buy some organic products from our #EDGE #SME Africa Nature's Organic Food.

#SMEdevelopment #SMEgrowth

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Day 2 of the #ICA2024!
@IBaseden, our Director of Strategic Growth, leading an engaging discussion on SME development and how SMEs are adapting to the challenges of climate change.

@impactcapafrica #Climateresilience #SMEdevelopment

[Agova @AgovaSV]

#ICA2024 Day 1 was truly inspiring. To top it off, we witnessed 3 of our #EDGE SMEs practice their pitches to a panel of investors. Huge shout out to MC Sangwani, Sylva Foods, and Sereno Farms.

Day 2 loading...join the discussions tomorrow!

@impactcapafrica #SMEdevelopment

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Day 1 of the 2-day #ICA2024 event.Join @IBaseden our Director of Strategic Growth as she leads a discussion session on SME development and adapting to the challenges of climate change and drought.

Join the conversation

@impactcapafrica #SMEdevelopment #climateresilience

[Alex Ponton @ponton_alex]

My Wish on My Birthday

I conducted an investment readiness training in Zambia close to a year ago. It was my first one. After four days of training, it culminated in a pitch day in front of investors.

The Zambian entrepreneurs there reminded me a lot of the folks I engage with in Uganda—driven but laid back and extremely welcoming. I've posted a few times about how it's such a missed opportunity that traveling to Zambia from Uganda takes around 10+ hours and costs close to $1,000 (a topic for another discussion).

On the day of pitching, I was stressed for my people. Would they perform? Were they ready? For some, it was their first time presenting in front of people. We worked hard until the wee hours to get ready, but you never know...

The day of the pitch arrived. The first presenter stepped onto the stage. I can't remember her name, but from a shy young lady, she had become a real trailblazer. She spoke with the energy and confidence she probably didn't even know she had. When she finished, everyone on the team went quiet for half a second before applauding vigorously.

"Alex, I wasn't supposed to pitch, but you and the team encouraged me so much, I felt like I had to go out there and 'show them!'" She did...

I won't lie. That was nice to hear. I spend time away from my family or posting on Twitter for moments like this.

Investors present ranged from microfinance institutions and banks to VCs and angel investors.

One angel investor, @EliasChipimo, caught my attention with a small but very important detail.

At the end of every presentation, he would wait for his turn, stand up, take the mic, and start with something along the lines of:

"Thanks a lot for the pitch. I am very excited for you, and it was great learning about your journey so far."

He would then pick one or two details that particularly caught his attention positively. It didn't matter if it was a tech startup, a maize miller, or a dairy cooperative...

As investors or commenters, it's easy to jump straight into hard questions or discard companies because they don't fit our "groundbreaking thesis." It's easy to look down on folks because they don't have "records" or top-notch compliance. It's easy to take shortcuts and hoard free samples...

Yet, we forget that we are dealing with humans trying to earn a living and achieve something meaningful.

I guess it was his way of saying:

"Well done on the journey so far. I know it's tough. I see you and I am cheering for you."

So, back to the title. What's my wish for my birthday? More of that...

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Invest in women:Accelerate Progress!

A huge shout out to all the women leading and running businesses and working tirelessly to promote and inspire inclusion.

#IWD2024 #womeninbusiness #WomenEmpowerment

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Today, we celebrate women worldwide and reflect on the progress we've made towards equality. Let's accelerate progress together and create an inclusive environment where every woman has the opportunity to thrive. Happy International Women's Day!

#InternationalWomensDay

[Agova @AgovaSV]

Our MD #Duniya giving a word of thanks to the BAs for the great work they have done with the #SMEs on the #EDGEproject

[Agova @AgovaSV]

#Happeningnow @TajPamodzi We are celebrating the Business Advisers for the great work they have done on the #EDGEproject. #smedeveloment #BAmodel

[Agova @AgovaSV]

🎆🎇🎄

[Agova @AgovaSV]

🎇Happening now, join us at PHI Mall,at the launch of the first PayGas- LPG refill station under the #A2C #USAID project implemented by our partners Tandem Circular.

The project aims to make LPG accessible and affordable to low income households.

@TandemCircular @AfricaPaygas

[Agova @AgovaSV]

🎇Wrapping up the year on a high note with visits to our #EDGE #MSMEs in #KapiriMposhi and #Mkushi. Thrilled to witness the tangible and positive impact of our efforts on the growth of these #MSMEs.

Excited about the journey ahead, empowering more #MSMEs growth.🌾