Entrepreneurship for Opportunity Actualization (EOpAct)
An African-wide USAID-funded internship programme placing graduate interns in agribusiness firms across Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Senegal, and Liberia.
Entrepreneurship for Opportunity Actualization (EOpAct) was an African-wide internship program implemented by Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP) in five African Countries (Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Senegal, and Liberia). The project received its initial funding from USAID through the Africa Lead II internship-based Agribusiness Leadership Program (ALP).
The program sought to provide distinctive services to graduates, youth and women to build their technical, managerial and vocational capacities to fit into agricultural value chains, job markets and business opportunities. ASNAPP through its extensive network engaged interested agribusiness firms across the continent about this internship placement program. Firms applied, a needs assessment was conducted, and firms were profiled based on their needs and location. Interested students who applied were shortlisted based on application forms and interviews. After selection, interns were trained to meet the needs of host firms in Entrepreneurship, Critical Thinking, Ethics and Basic Skills. Additionally, selected interns were trained in greenhouse production techniques, open field production, pig production (using the IMO technology), and marketing.
Project Objectives
- Expanded Africa Lead II's existing network of intern-hosting companies and organizations.
- Provided a matching service by recruiting, placing, and supporting interns in appropriate host companies/organizations.
- Built the capacity of companies and organizations to develop their in-house internship programs.
- Reported on and publicized the results achieved by the IPN.
Project Output
- 40 graduates, 25 SMEs/start-ups and 20 students enrolled on an internship program.
- 15 agribusiness firms signed onto the internship program.
- 5 agribusiness firms interested in the long-term internship program.
- 20 successful internship programs profiled.
- 50% of graduate interns employed.
- 70% of start-up interns expanded their business.
Countries/Locations: Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Senegal, Liberia
Project Partners: ASNAPP, Agri-Impact Consult, USAID, Society for Environmental Conservation