In a move to unlock new pathways for agricultural growth and transformation, African Farming will host the first-ever AgriFund Connect Summit on Thursday, 6 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.
This landmark event, themed “Funding the Future of Farming: Building Bankable and Compliant Agribusinesses”, is set to become a cornerstone gathering for farmers, agripreneurs, financiers and development partners committed to building a more inclusive and financially sustainable agricultural sector.
Access to finance remains one of the most significant hurdles for emerging farmers and agri-SMMEs across South Africa. Too often, promising enterprises struggle to grow because of limited knowledge of funding mechanisms, compliance requirements and financial management systems.
Recognising this challenge, the AgriFund Connect Summit aims to bridge the gap between farmers and financiers, providing a platform for practical learning, mentorship and direct engagement with funding institutions.
“The Summit is designed to empower farmers and agribusinesses with the tools, knowledge and networks they need to become investment-ready,” says Lebogang Mashala, editor of African Farming. “We want to help enterprises understand what it truly means to be bankable and compliant so that they can access funding and scale sustainably.”
Three Focus Areas to Drive Growth
The one-day Summit will unpack the fundamentals of agribusiness growth through three interactive thematic sessions, each led by industry experts, policymakers and financial institutions.
1. Becoming Bankable: Building Credible and Investment-ready Agribusinesses
This session will explore what funders look for in agricultural enterprises, from sound financial management and business planning to record-keeping and governance. Participants will gain insight into how to structure operations to attract investors, lenders and government support.
Key Focus: Financial literacy, business planning, credit readiness and investment packaging.
2. Compliance Made Easy: Navigating Regulations, Standards and Certifications
Compliance continues to be one of the biggest barriers for emerging agribusinesses. This discussion will demystify the complex regulatory environment, providing step-by-step guidance on how to achieve compliance in tax, food safety, labour and environmental standards.
Key Focus: Business registration, compliance audits, certifications and building trust with financiers and markets.
3. Funding Pathways: Exploring Innovative Financing Models for Agripreneurs
This panel will highlight both traditional and alternative financing solutions for SMMEs, from blended finance and equity partnerships to digital funding platforms and value chain financing. Real-world success stories will showcase how innovation can help unlock capital for growth.
Key Focus: Blended finance, public-private partnerships, digital finance tools and value chain collaboration.
Empowering Agripreneurs for a Sustainable Future
The AgriFund Connect Summit goes beyond theory; it offers practical guidance and actionable solutions. Through interactive dialogues, expert presentations and mentorship sessions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to:
- build credible, investment-ready agribusinesses;
- master the art of pitching to investors and funding partners;
- navigate compliance with ease and confidence; and
- connect with key stakeholders in finance, government and agri-development.
This Summit provides a gateway to growth, financial inclusion and sustainability, whether it’s for an emerging farmer seeking funding, an agripreneur refining their business model or an established agribusiness looking to scale.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, but without access to finance, the potential of our farmers remains untapped,” added Mashala. “The AgriFund Connect Summit is about changing that by making funding accessible, compliance achievable and agribusinesses bankable.”
With growing recognition that financial literacy, compliance and innovation are central to agricultural success, the AgriFund Connect Summit promises to be a game-changer for the sector.
Stakeholders across the value chain, from farmers and cooperatives to financiers and development partners, are encouraged to take part in this groundbreaking event that will shape the future of agricultural funding in South Africa.
Tickets are R500. To book your seat, send an email to Maphuti Mongatane: Maphuti.Mongatane@media24.com, or send a WhatsApp to 071 370 5493.
Made possible by: Land Bank | RMIS | John Deere Financial | AFGRI | Kgodiso Development Fund | FarmSol | Pannar
