The Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS), in collaboration with RUFORUM and with support from the World Bank, hosted a two-day training workshop on 29th and 30th September 2025 at T&D Conference Centre in Zomba. 

The workshop also drew participants from the Fit-Hub, the Technology Transfer Office, CARP-E Grantees, RUFORUM members, and Faculty Principal Investigators.

The workshop formed part of the capacity building for African Centres of Excellence (ACEs) in Malawi initiative, aimed at strengthening institutional capacity for the establishment, management, and sustainability of Business Incubation Centres (BICs). 

Prof. Chipo Kanjo from the CRAFS PIT welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude for their attendance, highlighting that the workshop sought to enhance institutional capacity for the establishment, management, and sustainability of BICs within Malawi’s ACEs.

The sessions focused on various topics, including product identification and refinement, business model development, entrepreneurship strategies, commercialisation pathways, and investor engagement.

A representative from RUFORUM, Prof. Egeru Anthony, delivered an introductory session on ACEs and the commercialisation journey. 

He went on to discuss the identification of viable and innovative products, during which participants learned methods for screening innovations and prioritising those with high commercial potential.

Nimrod Muhanguzi from RUFORUM led an engaging session on Digital Marketing and Customer Acquisition for Agri-Ventures, where participants were introduced to strategies for establishing an online presence, attracting customers, and maintaining a strong digital pipeline to support commercialization efforts.

The workshop was highly interactive, featuring practical exercises such as drafting business models, developing professional pitch decks, and exploring digital marketing and customer acquisition strategies for agri-ventures.

Participants were also equipped with skills in sustainable business frameworks aimed at enhancing their capacity to engage with investors and private-sector actors.

The training also provided a collaborative platform for exchanging ideas and promoting pathways for scaling innovations in Malawi and honed technical, entrepreneurial, and commercialisation skills which have the potential to contribute to the long-term sustainability and impact of Business Incubation Centres in the country.