​Snapshots from A2i's Successful Tanzania Delegation Trip​

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​Join the Quest: Researchers Needed for Innovative Aquaponics Project​

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​Shaping Denmark's New Development Strategy: A2i's Recommendations​

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​Visiting Africa's Largest Women's Organization​

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​Snapshots from Successful A2i-Delegation Trip to Tanzania​

Our delegation trip to Tanzania was—once again—very successful. The trip was arranged in collaboration with the Danish Agriculture & Food Council.

"Overall, the trip was really good, even better than expected! The program was well planned by, among others, Senior Advisor Oscar Raphael Mkude from the Danish Embassy. I found all the arranged meetings relevant. There was very little wasted time," says participant and CEO Henrik Wollesen from Engsko. He continues:

"I brought home several leads, especially regarding coffee and spice grinding. Also, I got a lead about a possible project with GAIN concerning whole meal flour grinding—as well as Bakhresa on a milling plant for flour grinding as well. I will definitely join Access2innovation on a trip again."

Five companies participated in the delegation trip: Engsko, Baader, DanBreed, Arctic Store, and Aller Aqua, as well as the Danish Embassy and the Danish Agriculture & Food Council. The trip took place February 24-27, 2025.

Below, you can have a look through Henrik’s photo album and view his comments for each photo.

Henrik's comments on the images, starting from the top left:

1. Meeting at Bakresa Group – the largest conglomerate in Tanzania; they produce flour, spices, soft drinks, etc. The ambassador also joined us here.
2. The delegation is outside the Danish Embassy in Dar es Salaam.
3. Meeting at Afri Tea & Coffee Blenders where we saw their operation: grinding of coffee, tea, etc.
4. Meeting at GAIN Tanzania: Henrik, Peter from the Danish Embassy, and the GAIN team. We discussed the possibility of a project involving whole meal flour for schoolchildren in Tanzania. Wholemeal flour contains all nutrients in the flour when it is ground in stone mills—therefore, no fortification is needed.

Meet an A2i-member:

​Researchers Wanted for Fish and Crops in One Go: ​

The aquaponic company NjordFrey has built expertise in delivering high-yield systems tailored to East Africa's context and now employs ten people in Rwanda. At the moment, the company is looking for researchers within several interesting areas. So, if you're a scientist looking for a meaningful project, keep reading!

NjordFrey has developed an innovative aquaponic system combining fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation in Rwanda. The system significantly increases fish and crop production while using 95% less water than traditional farming. This closed-loop system eliminates the need for soil, conserves water, and produces both crops and fish in a single process. By introducing aquaponics, NjordFrey empowers Rwandan farmers to optimize resources and adopt a resilient, eco-friendly approach to food production.

Once built, NjordFrey provides access to a digital monitoring system to track water parameters. This ensures full visibility, with real-time data guiding users to maximize production at all times.

A2i: What Aquaponics Areas Does NjordFrey Need Researchers to Develop?

Lars Hededam: If you're a scientist looking for a meaningful project, we offer an exciting field with immense potential for the future of agriculture. Here are the key research areas that could drive aquaponics forward:

1. Bio-Segment
   • Fisheries: Research to refine fish farming methods and outcomes.
   • Plant Cultivation:
     • Deep Water Culture (DWC) systems.
     • Testing media beds (soilless systems with granulate).
     • Identifying crops that thrive and are marketable.
     • Methods for pest and disease prevention.
     • AI applications in aquaponics.
2. Digital Monitoring Systems
   • Advancing water sensors for real-time data collection.
   • Developing affordable, efficient sensors and cameras.
   • Creating early warning systems for mold and other risks.
   • Exploring opportunities for student-led production and businesses.
3. Business Development
   • Marketing strategies.
   • Securing funding.

Also, NjordFrey offers consultancy assistance to universities and research groups/projects.

A2i: What are NjordFrey's benefits of being a member of Access2innovation?

Lars Hededam: We have three reasons for becoming members:

1. Collaboration with Danish universities and research institutions​
   NordFrey aims to collaborate with Danish universities and research institutions. Combining fish farming and hydroponic plant cultivation opens countless research opportunities, including biological, technical, and business development aspects. We welcome interns, researchers, and Ph.D. projects to join us in advancing aquaponics. In Scotland, where my co-founder is from, we collaborate with over 20 British research institutions. We also work with universities in Malaysia and East Africa. Unfortunately, establishing connections with the right people in Denmark has been challenging despite aquaponics' promising results.
2. Funding opportunities​
   While we have the technology, we lack funding. Being based in Rwanda, we cannot access typical Danish funding schemes, nor are we an NGO, to which most funding is tailored. We're actively seeking investors who recognize aquaponics' vast potential and are willing to support this transformative technology.
3. Advocating for sustainable business in Africa​
   NjordFrey embodies sustainable technology development in Africa. Our solutions integrate European university expertise with local collaboration, fostering shared growth in Africa. As a member of Access2innovation and a board member of Techvelopment Denmark, I advocate for cooperation across interests to advance sustainable business.

​Click here to read more about the results of NjordFrey and the research opportunities.

​A2i's Recommendations for Denmark's New Development Strategy​

Access2innovation has submitted a consultation response to the new development policy strategy of Denmark. The response highlights the growing African economies and populations and the increasing recognition by Denmark and the EU of the need to focus more on Africa to counter Chinese and Russian investments in the region.

In Access2innovation's recommendations for Denmark's new development strategy, we emphasize that Danish business strengths are relevant to African markets. But success requires market understanding, knowledge of value chains, and operational support for companies. This is particularly important for small and medium-sized Danish companies that can develop innovative solutions adapted to African needs.

Access2innovation appeals to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prioritize institutional support for building equal partnerships between Danish and African companies, focusing on sectors such as food systems, water and sanitation, renewable energy, climate, and green transition.

Our response recommends five specific areas for increased focus:

• Operational support for Danish companies entering African markets
• Capacity building for both Danish and African businesses
• Interest building among Danish companies regarding African opportunities
• Local financing mechanisms for African actors wanting to invest in Danish solutions
• A poverty-oriented approach targeting the business "middle layer" that can integrate with vulnerable groups.

​Click here to read our full recommendations for Denmark's new development strategy.

​Visiting Africa's Largest Women's Organization​

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Extra reach at LinkedIn?

Every week, Access2innovation shares some of our member's great posts on LinkedIn. If you want extra reach for your stories, send a hint about the post to ma@access2innovation.com.

We are looking forward to sharing your news!

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