Managing Partner, Matchmaker Associates Ltd
Chief Investment Officer, PearlBridge Capital Managers
It is clear that Government plays a critical enabling role where they can jumpstart processes, but BDS markets cannot be solved by Government alone.
The next session examined Beyond Regulation: BDS Associations. The mismatch between SME demand and BDS supply were highlighted and that poor governance of the BDS market results in a lack of credibility, especially in the Agriculture sector. Emerging initiatives in West Africa were presented as sources for inspiration, such as Impact Investing ESO initiatives in Ghana and Nigeria, which are using the SCALE approach to improve quality. The session concluded with the proposition of a demand driven three-pillar approach which expands the pool of high quality BDS providers:
1. Professional organizations with self-governance and peer review
2. Certification systems building from EAC and Uganda standards: NWIP BDS Internal Capacity and NWIP BDS Service Delivery
3. Tiered categorization with higher-tier providers mentoring lower-tier ones
"Imagine if you need heart surgery, but there is no way to know if your surgeon was qualified. That's exactly what the situation facing millions of agribusinesses across Africa when they seek BDS services."
We’re confronting a governance crisis that’s crippling BDSPs across Africa. Donors can’t distinguish qualified from unqualified providers, creating monopolistic advantages for a few while marginalising the majority. Meanwhile, inconsistent quality standards are eroding confidence throughout the entire sector, directly harming our agriculture-dependent economies.
The fragmentation is stark: Tanzania’s BDS Society battles financial constraints, Kenya’s ASEK focuses too narrowly on startups, Uganda’s networks remain informal and closed, and other East African states lack organised initiatives entirely.
Immediate Benefits
Development partners will finally identify trustworthy BDSPs with confidence and achieve measurable returns on investments instead of gambling with program funds.
BDSPs at different tiers will gain enhanced credibility and clear career advancement pathways.
Economic Impact
We’re talking about increased agricultural productivity, stronger SME sectors driving growth, enhanced access to finance, and improved competitiveness in regional and global markets.
The momentum is already building: EAC/UNBS/PSFU in establishing BDS standards, AMEA ISO 18716 initiative is gaining traction, and Tanzania and Uganda BDS guidelines are the right stepping stones. We have AMEA networks in Kenya and Rwanda – we need to engage with these networks.
Call to Action
The path forward demands embracing self-governance, unified certification systems, and continuous collaboration.
We cannot afford to continue operating without proper governance mechanisms. The time for action is now.
Day 1
Day 2
For all the latest about our work and updates about our partners, signup for our newsletter.
EN 
FR