At the African Farming AgriFund Connect Summit held at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre on 6 November, one of the most memorable and thought-provoking messages came from Praveen Dwarika, Managing Director of AFGRI Farmer Development.

Building a bankable agribusiness remains one of the most significant challenges facing emerging farmers across South Africa. During a recent panel discussion titled “Becoming Bankable: Building Credible and Investment-ready Agribusinesses” at the African Farming AgriFund Connect Summit held at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, industry leaders and farmers shared their experiences, challenges and practical solutions for creating sustainable agricultural enterprises.

The agricultural sector stands at a crossroads where innovation meets necessity. At a recent panel discussion at the African Farming AgriFund Connect Summit facilitated by Dr Lerato Tsalaemang Matsaunyane, Researcher at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), industry experts gathered to explore innovative financing models that could transform the landscape for agripreneurs across South Africa.

Attendees of the first-ever African Farming AgriFund Connect Summit heard exciting news directly from Land Bank representatives about groundbreaking new services being launched for South African farmers.

Growing a farm requires some financial injections. Although most farmers only look to traditional banking for finance, Gene Likhanya, the founder of Madimbo Agri Group, advised the audience at the first-ever African Farming AgriFund Connect Summit, held at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre on 6 November, to look for alternatives.

By Maphuti Mongatane, Business Development Manager at African Farming  Our first-ever AgriFund Connect Summit is taking place today and we were graced with a powerful keynote address by Mooketsa Ramasodi, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, whose message set a bold and visionary tone for the day. Speaking under the theme of resilience, science-driven agriculture and inclusive growth, the Ramasodi emphasised that South Africa’s food-system transformation must be rooted in both scientific innovation and social inclusion. He reflected on outcomes from the G20 and African Union’s Malabo Declaration, reminding delegates that governments must commit at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture...

Legendary veterinarian Doc Faffa Malan opened our inaugural AgriFund Connect Summit with a heartfelt prayer, setting a tone of gratitude and purpose. At African Farming, we believe in putting God first and it shows in how intentionally successful the day kicked off. The audience was seated, attentive and fully engaged as we opened a day filled with insight, connection and impact.  Made possible by: Land Bank | RMIS | John Deere Financial | AFGRI | Kgodiso Development Fund | FarmSol | Pannar Photo: Maphuti Mongatane Photo: Maphuti Mongatane Also read: AgriFund Connect Summit 2025 – Programme How to become investment-ready: AgriFund Connect Summit reveals funding secrets Meet our speakers (part 1) Meet our...

African Farming’s first-ever AgriFund Connect Summit is taking place today, Thursday 6 November 2025, at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.

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.

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.

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.

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.