KEY FINDINGS 1. Seed companies located and/or operating in Africa are very diverse in terms of size, crop portfolios, and research capacity as well as their capacity building needs and priorities. Therefore, the benefits and services offered by the Africa Vegetable Breeding Consortium (AVBC) to its members should be tailored to their specific needs and priorities – in lieu of “standardized” services and training. 2. Breeding products and high performing lines are the main expected benefits of seed companies from AVBC membership. The Consortium should strengthen its collaboration and partnerships with seed companies to best identify and achieve their breeding product needs (e.g., traits, priority vegetables). 3. The most important and priority crops for seed companies in Africa are tomato, pepper, and onion (in order of importance), which aligns well with WorldVeg’ breeding expertise and we are therefore well-placed to support seed companies with breeding products and capacity building. On the other hand, traditional African vegetables have a low priority for seed companies. 4. Most of the seed companies’ capacity building needs are related to breeding and seed production (including vegetable breeding for insect pest resistance, disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance; quality seed production). When offering training to seed companies, it needs to be kept in mind that their capacity building needs are diverse, particulary for small vs. large companies. 5. Seed companies, especially the smaller ones, can be financially constrained and, as a result, face difficulties in starting and or implementing research and development or breeding programs. These financial constraints may also impede smaller companies to join the Consortium due to the membership fees. 6. Efforts should be made to increase the Consortium’s visibility and engagement, both institutionally and scientifically. Seed companies suggested WorldVeg breeders engage more strongly with them, which could lead to the development of relevant breeding programs and activities. Many of the seed companies that are not a member of the Consortium are actually not aware of its existence. Efforts should thus be made to promote and increase the Consortium’s visibility on the continent, for instance through conferences and other fora attended by seed companies.