Combi tracks: doing business with impact in emerging markets

What are combi tracks?

A combi track is a multi-year sector approach in an emerging market. It consists of several projects and subsidies within a sector. Combi tracks cover 14 markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Through this approach, the Dutch government and entrepreneurs collaborate on business and local development for multiple years. Many of these contribute to the same themes and goals.

Combi tracks help entrepreneurs expand into emerging export markets, attract investments and remove barriers. The approach improves competitiveness and supports economic growth in green and digital sectors in partner countries.

Together with local stakeholders in emerging markets, we identify challenges in sectors such as clean energy, water, horticulture and waste management, where Dutch expertise can add value.

The programme Combi tracks started in 2024. Each combi track has its own timeline and approach, yet they all take several years. The programmes’ goal is to create sustainable collaborations for the present and the future.

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Dutch embassies and Invest International implement the combi tracks on behalf of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They team up with companies, knowledge institutions, social organisations from the Netherlands and partner countries.

Specific opportunities for combi tracks

Combi tracks create many international business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Key benefits include access to new markets, improved networking, and a variety of revenue streams:

• Long-term support for realising business opportunities in emerging markets.
• Support to simplify the process of doing business in a country and removing barriers.
• Support for programme applications of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Invest NL, and Atradius.
• Development of tailor-made solutions.
• Expansion of trade networks.

The investments also support social and economic progress in partner countries, such as job creation and improved infrastructure. It is a win-win situation!

Partner countries

We are currently active in these combi track countries:

• Bangladesh
• Colombia
• Egypt
• Ghana
• India
• Indonesia
• Ivory Coast
• Kenya
• Morocco
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Ukraine
• Vietnam

How does a combi track work?

This example of a case in Nigeria illustrates how a combi track generally works.

1. Entrepreneurs and the Dutch embassy identify a challenge or opportunity.
   Due to power shortages, the Nigerian horticulture sector relies on diesel generators, which are expensive and polluting.
2. Companies provide solutions.
   Dutch companies introduce off-grid solar energy solutions to Nigerian businesses. Entrepreneurs enter the local market through trade missions and with knowledge gained from market reports. They also form a consortium with local partners.
3. Strengthening the local sector and establishing preconditions.
   At the same time, public and private groups work to improve access to reliable business partners and finance. They train young locals to become maintenance technicians. This results in valuable jobs.
4. Long-term business solutions.
   The horticulture sector will become more affordable and sustainable. There will also be more opportunities to expand solar energy in horticulture and other areas.

Combi tracks focus on horticulture

Horticulture is the sector with the most business opportunities in emerging markets. The Netherlands has the knowledge and technology to help strengthen the global horticulture sector.

Tailor-made solutions

Tailor-made solutions drive combi tracks. Each country and sector faces unique challenges. 

A few examples from the horticulture sector:

• India is looking to strengthen its knowledge centres and grower training.
• Bangladesh is seeking, among other things, more low- and mid-tech solutions and improvements to its post-harvest processes.
• Egypt needs more local employment and smart climate- and water-friendly agriculture solutions.

What part do entrepreneurs play?

Entrepreneurs and companies play a central role in combi tracks by offering Dutch solutions for local challenges. Another goal of the programme is to make business easier in each country and sector, for instance by improving local professional training or regulations. To achieve this goal, input from companies in the emerging local markets is essential.

We highly value entrepreneurs' feedback as we develop combi tracks. We design the tracks with entrepreneurs and local stakeholders in mind.