The
2nd round of the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) Agribusiness Africa
Window (AAW) is currently open for applications until 28th
February 2015. The best
ideas are awarded up to US$1.5m in grants and interest free loans. Interested
private sector companies can compete in the 2nd round of the Agribusiness
Africa Window by submitting their new and innovative business ideas on
the AECF website. Ideas must comply with
the rules (eligibility and selection criteria) of the particular competition
being applied for.
To
qualify, the business or institution must be one or more of the
following:
- an agribusiness operating, or planning to operate, in an African country.
- a business idea that combines commercial success with a positive impact on
hundreds or thousands of poor farmers.
- a business introducing an innovation and planning to do something that has
not been done in your country before.
- a business planning to invest, or expand investments, in crop, livestock or
aquaculture production, processing, packaging, marketing, or exports.
- a financial institution planning to engage in the agricultural sector, or an
information provider for farmers or agribusinesses.
The AECF is a special fund that supports business ideas across Africa. The AECF
AAW 2nd round will support business ideas in the fields of agribusiness,
financial services and value chains which extend across Africa and
international markets. Business ideas that qualify for funding must have
positive impact on the rural poor: delivering increased employment reduced costs
and improved productivity.
The Fund awards grants and repayable grants to private sector companies to
support innovative business ideas in agriculture, agribusiness, renewable
energy, adaptation to climate change and access to information and financial
services.
Its purpose is to improve incomes of smallholder farmers and the rural poor.
The AECF is supported by the governments of Australia, Denmark, Netherlands,
Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD).