AECF

Closing the Year with a Good and Positive outing: As we approach the end of another year, I want to take a moment to share my last activity for the year. AECF conducted Advocacy Training for 40 staff of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Kano State. This training was facilitated by Jummai Bappah. The objective is to support the two associations to promote and defend a specific issue, based on a clear understanding of the surrounding social, economic, political and policy context, building support of key groups to influence key decision-makers in taking a specific action to achieve a desired change especially those that affect women owned/led businesses. AECF, Ifeoma Dennis Umeloh. I am excited about the opportunities that 2025 will bring and confident in our ability to achieve even more. Wishing everyone happy holidays!

Collaboration at the intersection of research and private sector innovation. 🌍🤝 AECF CEO Victoria Sabula and ICRISAT Director of the Africa Program, Dr. Rebbie Harawa recently connected to explore efforts in transforming African agriculture. ICRISAT’s expertise in agricultural research and commercialization complements AECF’s approach of catalyzing private sector investments to unlock opportunities for smallholder farmers and businesses. #LeadershipForImpact #GlobalPartnerships

It was great to have you visit us, Joost Oorthuizen! Thank you for taking the time to connect with us 😁😁

What an opportune time to be in Canada, especially following the recently concluded Canada–African Union Commission High-Level Dialogue in Toronto, which resulted in several commitments, including an increased focus on economic cooperation between Africa and Canada. This week, our CEO Victoria Chelangat Sabula, Director of Programmes Susan Situma, and Head of Agribusiness Fredrick Kiio had a productive visit to Ottawa, engaging with teams from Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada (GAC). These conversations highlighted our growing alignment to drive inclusive economic growth and climate resilience across critical sectors and underserved communities.  With GAC’s support, AECF is implementing the Investing in Women programmes in Benin, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Sudan initiatives/programs. These country-specific initiatives seek to empower women to access economic opportunities and lead economic transformation, access financing, and navigate the impacts of climate change. We are grateful for the opportunity to strengthen the partnership with Global Affairs Canada and explore bolder, more impactful collaborations. Djifa Ahado, Arash Irantalab Tehrani, Evelyne Dabiré, amy thomas

📣📣Exciting news from #COP29! We are thrilled that AECF was selected as a winner of the Global Environment Facility Challenge Program for Adaptation Innovation. This award will allow us to scale our Investing In #Women Program in Burkina Faso and Benin. By integrating climate risk & gender mainstreaming tools, we can build a more sustainable future together! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eVCQAgdu

Sudan’s SMEs face unprecedented challenges, especially in accessing capital in a time of conflict. This limits their potential to drive growth and innovation. AECF's Sudan SME Catalyser is stepping in to bridge this gap by offering targeted funding and support to empower these businesses, ensuring resilience in challenging times. If you're a Sudan-based SME looking to scale or innovate, explore the funding opportunity on AECF’s website and apply: https://lnkd.in/dgi-6ftK

Today, we are incredibly privileged and grateful to have hosted representatives from Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada GAC and AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) at #SEAVENTURESKENYA. Their visit to our site was a powerful reminder of the impact we’re striving to create through sustainable fish and animal feed solutions. Seeing their support firsthand encourages us to keep pushing forward, innovating, and expanding our work for the benefit of local farmers and our coastal communities. Thank you, Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada and AECF , for recognizing our efforts and believing in our vision for a more sustainable future. Together, we’re making waves! 🌊 #Sustainability #Kenya #Aquaculture #SEAVENTURESKENYA Asha Cassidy

Great turnout at our member networking reception held on the sidelines of the GIIN Investor Forum in Amsterdam earlier this week! Around 50 representatives including Convergence members, development banks and sponsors of blended finance deals came together to discuss all things blended finance. Thank you to our board member Victoria Chelangat Sabula from AECF who delivered the opening remarks alongside our Manager Regina Rossmann. Thank you to everyone for joining us! #blendedfinance #amsterdam #innovativefinance #sustainablefinance #SDGs #developementfinance #developingeconomies

Ending the week on a high note with another partner visit by Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada. We had the pleasure of visiting Great Lakes Feeds and Rio Fish Ltd, two investees under our Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya programme. This programme seeks to contribute to the economic empowerment of women enterprises, their suppliers, and producers along key supply chains where women often face discrimination in Kenya’s blue economy. The visit, which took place in the Lake Victoria region, showcased the remarkable work being done in sustainable aquaculture and community empowerment. Thank you, Pamela Gordon, Leslie Campbell, and Kimani Mungai, for joining the visit and your continued support in moving this important work forward. Cosmas Muchina, FCCA, Diana Muthike Thomas, Fredrick Kiio

We've had an inspiring week of learning alongside our partner, Sida. The experience concluded with field visits to two of our Kenya investees and some of their beneficiaries in Machakos County under the Results-Based Financing (RBF) Kenya programme. RBF, a component of our REACT Sub-Saharan Africa programme, is expanding access to clean energy—electricity and clean cooking solutions—for rural and underserved communities across Kenya. Field Visit Highlights⬇️ Deevabits Green Energy is a for-profit social enterprise based in Kenya, distributing and financing essential products to rural customers through a network of Village Social Entrepreneurs, largely made up of women and youth. Under the programme, the company has achieved: 📌 40,000+ solar products distributed 📌 200,000 beneficiaries reached across 13 counties 📌 500+ jobs created, empowering women and youth BioLite designs affordable, durable products that convert surrounding energy into cooking, charging, and lighting solutions for off-grid households. In Kenya, BioLite exemplifies sustainable development through last-mile distribution powered by women entrepreneurs. Under the programme, the company has: 📌 36,590 households served with clean energy solutions 📌 82 jobs created (39% held by women) 📌 Improved air quality, enhanced safety, and freed up time for women to pursue income-generating activities A heartfelt thank you to the Sida team, Caroline Bastholm and Habane Hassan for joining us and our investees on this impactful journey. We are excited to continue working together to unlock more opportunities for rural and low-income communities. #CleanEnergy #RuralDevelopment #WomenEmpowerment #LastMileDistribution #REACTSSA #SustainableDevelopment