BDCG Network

26/11/2025

Victor Nyagaya, CEO of the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), delivered a keynote address at the BDCG Inclusive Markets Symposium, highlighting how regional collaboration can accelerate inclusive and sustainable market systems across Western Kenya.

Representing 14 counties interconnected through Lake Victoria, LREB continues to champion coordinated socio-economic growth for over 14 million people.

Mr. Nyagaya shared some of the bloc’s major achievements, including securing USD 50 million for climate-smart agriculture to strengthen value chains such as dairy, poultry, vegetables, tea, and coffee. He also outlined LREB’s advancements in the blue economy now producing over 28 million fingerlings annually and partnering with investors to establish Kenya’s largest rice processing plant, aimed at boosting market access and food security.

He emphasized three priorities for transforming regional agriculture:
🔹 Organizing farmers into strong, structured groups to attract investment and improve market readiness
🔹 Deepening collaboration between county governments, national government, private sector, researchers, and farmers
🔹 Strengthening linkages between SMEs, research institutions, and farmer organizations

He concluded with a powerful reminder that Kenya is a farming nation and the goal is to ensure farmers earn meaningful incomes, markets function efficiently, and development efforts lead to long-term self-sufficiency.

26/11/2025

The first session to set the tone of the symposium was “𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝘼𝙢𝙞𝙙 𝙖 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚” led by Mathews Wanjala, who highlighted the urgency of rethinking how market systems operate in a changing funding environment. He emphasized that sustainability must account for long-term ripple effects, the donor landscape is shifting but not shrinking, and future interventions must demonstrate resilience, competitiveness, and inclusivity.

Panel Reflections:

Rewe Thomas (Dr. sci. agri.) representing academia stressed the need for research that drives real change. He called for multi-disciplinary collaboration, research that supports PPPs, and findings that are accessible to the private sector. On inclusion, he noted: “Participation cannot be equated to inclusion.”

George Okeyo representing private sector emphasized that private sector engagement depends on clear business value. He pointed out that aid has not always created sustainable growth, urged programs to prioritize quality over numbers, and underscored that research must offer solutions, not just publications.

Daniel Owino Wamunge representing County Government (Kisumu) highlighted the government’s role in translating research into practical value. He proposed establishing BDS frameworks, strengthening public–private dialogue, and developing PPP models. He also shared that Kisumu County has introduced a joint financing tracking tool to align stakeholder budgets.

Participants called for more meaningful public participation, shifting from talking at to talking to each other, and encouraged using digital tools to broaden engagement.

26/11/2025

The 2025 BDCG Symposium officially kicks off today!

We are excited to begin this important gathering of partners, experts, and innovators committed to advancing market systems development. Thank you to everyone joining us as we set the stage for insightful discussions, meaningful collaboration, and impactful solutions.

Let the conversations begin!

25/11/2025

Introducing the speaker lineup for the 2025 Market Systems Development Symposium, themed “𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞.”

This year’s speakers will lead conversations on:

1. Reimagining Market Systems Amid a Shifting Donor Landscape by Mathews Wanjala

2. Climate Change Adaptation, Green Transition and the Bioeconomy by Rebecca Amukhoye

3. Innovative Agri-Finance & Investment for Resilient Food Systems by Victor Ndiege

4. Inclusive Leadership, Empowering Youth, Promoting Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion, and Social Equity by Wairimu Munyinyi-Wahome

5. Trade & Regional Integration for Scaled Partnerships Geoffrey Nyamota, PhD

Join us from 26–28 November 2025 at Ciala Resort, Kisumu, as thought leaders and industry experts share insights that will shape the future of market systems across the region.

24/11/2025

TradeMark Africa’s commitment to advancing inclusive and competitive markets across the continent will be at the forefront as Mathews Wanjala, Senior Programme Manager – Market Systems, opens the 2025 Market Systems Development Symposium as our first speaker.

With over 20 years of experience driving inclusive trade, market systems development, and value chain transformation across Africa, Mathews brings critical insight to this year’s theme: “𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝘼𝙢𝙞𝙙 𝙖 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚.”

His opening session will set the pace for the symposium—framing the conversation and laying a strong foundation for the sub-themes that follow. Drawing from his extensive work in public–private partnerships, trade facilitation reforms, and climate-smart and digital trade solutions, Mathews will challenge us to rethink how we build resilient, competitive, and inclusive economies.

13/11/2025

During the 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 session, we will explore how private–public collaboration and cross-border trade can be catalyzed to drive systemic change, commercialization, and strategic partnerships with the private sector.

Don’t miss out!
👉 Register now and be part of shaping a sustainable, inclusive future.

🔗 https://mespt.org/bdcg/

12/11/2025

The 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢-𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 session will delve into how innovative financing models, blended capital approaches, and private-sector collaborations can drive inclusive and shock-responsive food.

Have you registered yet? Don’t miss out!

Register now via the link below! 👇

https://mespt.org/bdcg/

10/11/2025

The 2025 BDCG Market Systems Symposium will explore six dynamic sub-themes designed to spark dialogue, innovation, and collaboration toward building stronger, more inclusive market systems across Africa.

💡 Symposium Sub-Themes:

1️⃣ Innovative Agri-Finance & Investment for Resilient Food Systems

2️⃣ Climate Adaptation, Green Transition & the Bioeconomy

3️⃣ Trade & Regional Integration for Scaled Partnerships

4️⃣ Inclusion, Leadership & the Future (Youth, GESI, Disability)

5️⃣ Evidence, Policy Influence & Systemic Change Measurement

6️⃣ Innovation, Scale & New Delivery Models

📅 Date: 25th–29th November 2025

📍 Venue: CIALA Resort, Kisumu

Join us as we reimagine the future of market systems and drive sustainable, inclusive growth across the continent!

06/11/2025

📣 The countdown is on!

In just 20 days, the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐃𝐂𝐆 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 kicks off at 𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐮!

Get ready to engage with thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping Africa’s resilient, inclusive, and sustainable market systems.

🌍 Theme: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞.

🔗 Have you registered yet? Don’t miss out!

04/11/2025

We loved seeing so many vibrant faces, inspiring conversations, and meaningful connections that shaped last year’s event.

As we gear up for the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐃𝐂𝐆 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦, happening from 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 – 𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 at 𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐮, we look forward to welcoming these familiar faces and new ones for yet another round of learning, collaboration, and innovation!

👉 Have you registered yet?

Don’t miss out — secure your spot today: 𝙝𝙩𝙩𝙥𝙨://𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙩.𝙤𝙧𝙜/𝙗𝙙𝙘𝙜/

22/10/2025

📢 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐃𝐂𝐆 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧! 🎉

Join us from 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 – 𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐮, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, for an engaging and insightful convening of market systems practitioners, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa and beyond.

🌍 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 : 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘙𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘪𝘥 𝘢 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦

This year’s symposium will explore how Africa can build market systems that are inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable, ensuring resilience and prosperity in a dynamic global environment.

👉 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://mespt.org/bdcg/

💰 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬:

Resident participants: Ksh 150,000 per person (3-day symposium package and 4-day accommodation)

Non-resident participants: Ksh 76,000 per person (3-day symposium, lunch, and tea breaks)

Exhibition: Ksh 75,000

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and shape the future of market systems in Africa! 🌱

Register now for the BDCG Market Systems Symposium. Click below to complete your registration.

09/10/2025

It’s that time of the year again! 🎉

The 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐃𝐂𝐆 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 is set for 𝟐𝟓𝐭𝐡 – 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 in 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐮, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚.

🌍 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘙𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘪𝘥 𝘢 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦

This year’s theme reflects the urgency of building market systems that are not only 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 but also 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, positioning Africa’s economies to thrive in a rapidly changing global context.

📅 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐬!
👉 Registration details and costs will be shared soon.

Stay tuned!