In order to ensure sustainable support for innovations in agriculture, innovation support service (ISS) providers must intervene in timely and efficient manner, hence the need for emphasis on their capacity for providing these services. In the last decade, many donor-funded resources have been channelled into developing and applying capacity frameworks, especially within the context of north-south collaboration. While most of these frameworks have focused on public bodies, strengthening capacities of private and third sector organisations for supporting innovations in agriculture and agri-food sector have been limited. Impelled by this knowledge gap, the EU-Africa research project (SERVInnov) has developed the 'Organisational Capacity Assessment approach for Innovation' (OCATI). in this contribution, we introduce this approach and present findings from its application in Cameroon and Madagascar. Results reveal that, while some capacity components appear as well-developed, e.g. the capacity to deliver ISS services) others scored less, signalling entry points for improvement (e.g. the capacity to relate with other actors). The application has created space for reflection within these organisations, revealing i) opportunity for reflexive thinking about own position in supporting innovations, ii) the value of raising awareness for ISS, and iii) how support to innovation in agriculture and agro-food sector matter and can be enhanced.