CAPEX-Comoros is working to strengthen the services available to private-sector businesses in the Comoros. This support is particularly important for local producers and exporters seeking to understand international market requirements, identify gaps in their operations and prepare for sustainable export growth.

Globally Cool is supporting CAPEX-Comoros by combining export expertise with practical digital innovation. During a recent mission to the Comoros, Joost worked with project partners, entrepreneurs and local companies to advance the development of an AI-supported Export Readiness Checker. The initiative is designed to make export support more accessible, targeted and responsive to the needs of Comorian businesses.

Building on the Comoros’ distinctive export potential

The Comoros has compelling export stories to share. Products such as vanilla, cloves and ylang-ylang are deeply connected to the country’s natural resources, local knowledge and craftsmanship. These products offer commercial opportunities while also reflecting the identity of the islands and the communities that produce them.

However, having a distinctive product is only one part of becoming export-ready. Businesses must also understand market requirements, quality expectations, production capacity, logistics and the steps needed to approach potential buyers. Clear and practical guidance can help entrepreneurs assess these areas and make informed decisions about their export journey. This approach lies at the heart of the collaboration with CAPEX-Comoros: creating tools that respond to real business challenges while recognising the ambitions and experience of local entrepreneurs.

Developing an AI-supported Export Readiness Checker

Together with CAPEX-Comoros, we are developing an AI-supported Export Readiness Checker to help both experienced and aspiring exporters evaluate their current position.

The tool will guide businesses through a structured assessment of their export readiness. By analysing their responses, it will help them understand where they stand, identify areas that require further attention and determine practical next steps. This is expected to make export guidance more relevant to each company. Rather than offering general advice, the checker will support businesses in recognising their specific strengths and challenges. This can help entrepreneurs focus their time and resources on the actions that are most important for their development.

The tool will also provide CAPEX-Comoros with valuable insights into the needs, gaps and ambitions of Comorian companies. These insights can strengthen the organisation’s private-sector services by enabling it to develop more targeted programmes and respond more effectively to recurring business challenges.

Testing ideas with local entrepreneurs

Engagement with the private sector is essential when developing a practical export support tool. During the mission, we discussed the Export Readiness Checker with entrepreneurs and companies working with distinctive local products, including Wutamu Comores, Vanicacom and Nemako. These discussions created an opportunity to compare the proposed tool with the realities businesses face. Direct input from entrepreneurs can help ensure that the questions, recommendations and overall user experience are clear and relevant.

By involving companies during the development process, the project is grounding digital innovation in local experience. This strengthens the likelihood that the final tool will be useful not only in theory but also in the day-to-day decision-making of Comorian exporters.

Turning business insights into stronger export support

The Export Readiness Checker is intended to benefit both individual companies and the wider export support system. For entrepreneurs, it will provide a clearer overview of their preparedness and help them prioritise their next actions. For CAPEX-Comoros, the combined results can reveal wider patterns across the private sector. These may include common capacity gaps, recurring information needs and areas where additional technical assistance could have the greatest impact.

Analysing these patterns will allow CAPEX-Comoros to enhance its services and develop support that is more closely aligned with business needs. In this way, the tool can contribute to more practical and future-oriented private-sector development in the Comoros.

Next step: a more data-informed support system

The next phase will focus on finalising and launching the Export Readiness Checker. A new CAPEX portal is also planned, creating another channel through which businesses can access information and export support. Together, these developments aim to make assistance for Comorian exporters more visible and easier to use. They also represent an important step towards a more data-informed support system, in which services can continue to evolve in response to the needs of local companies.

We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with CAPEX-Comoros, UNIDO APILE Industrie and the entrepreneurs contributing their knowledge to the process.

Want to explore how practical export tools and market intelligence can strengthen your organisation’s support to businesses? Get in touch with us.