The Nkabom Collaborative has officially launched Cohort 2 of its Venture Quest Entrepreneurial Bootcamp at the University of Ghana, bringing together students and young innovators from multiple tertiary institutions.
The programme held on Monday, May 11, 2026, forms part of a 10-year partnership aimed at transforming Ghana’s agrifood system through youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
Representing the NEIP CEO, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Jean Selasie Ahiawordor commended the Nkabom Collaborative for creating a platform that combines academic structures with practical entrepreneurship training.
She urged participants to focus on solving real problems in food processing, market access, agricultural waste reduction, and digital value chains.
“The young people gathered here today are not just students. You are future founders, agribusiness leaders, innovators, and solution providers who can transform Ghana’s food systems,” Ms. Ahiawordor said.
She encouraged participants not to wait for perfect conditions before starting their entrepreneurial journeys, stressing the values of resilience, continuous learning, collaboration, and sustainability.
Mr. Pierre Brunache Jr., Director of the Secretariat of the Nkabom Collaborative based in Montreal, outlined the ambitious targets of the initiative. He said the project seeks to train and mentor about 25,000 youth, create 55,000 jobs, and support 3,000 SMEs over its lifespan, with strong emphasis on women, persons with disabilities, and underserved communities.
The collaborative brings together major institutions including the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University for Development Studies (UDS), Koforidua Technical University (KTU), Ashesi University, and industry players through the Association of Ghana Industries, alongside McGill University and the Mastercard Foundation.
Mr. Brunache Jr. highlighted the importance of cross-university networking and experiential learning, noting that students from various institutions will visit each other’s campuses to share best practices.
He called on government to provide enabling policies, particularly in protecting young entrepreneurs and improving infrastructure in agricultural areas, while urging the private sector to open procurement opportunities for youth-led agribusinesses.
The Nkabom Venture Quest Bootcamp is expected to equip participants with practical skills to develop sustainable and scalable businesses in the agrifood sector.
