​An exciting time ahead

​Good news from Kenya​

​A2i welcomes new Africa plan​

​Danish Export Association​

​Få en studerende tilknyttet ​

​Delegation trip to Zambia​

​An exciting time ahead​

I hope you have enjoyed your summer holiday and are ready for a new season on the Danish platform for innovative, sustainable, and commercial solutions to African markets. We certainly are, both here at the board and within the secretariat.

We have an exciting time ahead. The long-awaited Strategy for Strengthened Danish Engagement with African Countries has finally been launched.

“ This is precisely what we know works, also in an African context. — Henrik Anker-Ladefoged CEO A2i,

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This strategy highlights Denmark’s and the EU’s commitment to paying greater attention to the wishes and priorities of African countries, with a central focus on fostering equal partnerships.

After the New Year, the government will begin drafting its new development policy strategy, and we will once again be prepared to offer our input, drawing on our many years of experience with Africa.

For our own organization, partnerships and networking remain central. We are pleased to invite you to our next delegation trip, organized in close collaboration with the Danish Agriculture & Food Council. Also, we are looking at strengthening our network through a closer cooperation with Food & Bio Cluster in Aarhus as well as with the Danish Export Organization in Silkeborg.

Meanwhile, we have more Virtual A2i Talks coming up. We hope to see you there every month for inspiring cross-continent meetings. We are delighted to facilitate a platform where private companies, NGOs, research institutions, investors, business associations, and public institutions can learn and grow together. How often do you encounter a network with so many facets?

This is precisely what we know works, also in an African context.

Henrik Anker-Ladefoged, CEO, Access2innovation

​Good news from Kenya​

Customer satisfaction from our project ‘Clean Energy Drinking Water Solutions in Kenya’.

Our project in Kenya, ‘Clean Energy Drinking Water Solutions' is well underway while it is testing the commercial viability of distributing the SAWA cans through the large network of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake.

Initial feedback show that users, that are mostly rural women, are satisfied with the product as it cleans the water effectively and in the long run safes money for the household.

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​A2i welcomes new Africa plan​

We know that Danish business strengths are relevant for Africa. However, leveraging these strengths requires market understanding, in-depth knowledge of value chains, and support for the companies’ operational activities. This is particularly true for small and medium-sized Danish enterprises that have the ability to develop new and innovative solutions tailored to African markets and needs.

Business collaboration between companies on the African continent and Denmark is inherently equal and long-term, with great potential to benefit both Denmark, the African populations, and the green transition. This is also outlined in the new Africa plan and thereby presents positive prospects for Access2innovation’s members.

Yet, African markets are known to be challenging, and it requires special insight for companies to successfully navigate countries with very different market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and business cultures. Danish companies are aware of this, which is why few have an appetite for these markets. For the SMEs that do wish to engage with these markets, an introduction to a potential local partner or securing capital is often not enough. There is a need for sustained support to the companies’ operational activities from organizations and practitioners who understand the markets.

We therefore appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prioritize institutional support for organizations that comprehend the African markets and specific value chains in the implementation of the Africa plan. This could very well be within Danish core industry areas such as agriculture and food systems, water, energy, green transition, and climate adaptation. This is similar to what the Netherlands does, which has led to their businesses performing significantly better than Denmark in African markets.

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​Danish Export Association​

Access2innovation met in September with the Danish Export Association, a non-profit, member-owned, and member-driven organization. Since 1965, the association has helped ambitious Danish B2B export companies achieve international growth.

"It was an exciting meeting. We see great opportunities for future collaboration and will continue the dialogue," says Henrik Anker-Ladefoged, CEO of Access2innovation.

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​Få en bachelor- eller specialestuderende tilknyttet din virksomhed / NGO​

Der er nu mulighed for at få en bachelor- eller specialestuderende tilknyttet din virksomhed /NGO. I samarbejde med de studerende udformer I et projekt, som er til gavn for både jer og de studerende. De studerende kan rekrutteres fra henholdsvis, Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Københavns Universitet, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) samt Aalborg Universitet.

Hør mere hos Thomas Augustinus på

ta@access2innovation.com & +45 2096 1460 (også på WhatsApp)

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​Delegation trip to Zambia​

The Danish Agriculture & Food Council in partnership with Access2innovation are pleased to invite your company to participate in this 2025 agro-business delegation to Zambia in January 2025.

Register before November 1st and get early bird adventage.

​Click here to read more.​