Impact
Aceli envisions a more productive and resilient agricultural sector that improves rural livelihoods, increases the supply of affordable and nutritious food, and drives economic growth.
By the numbers
Aceli’s incentives reward lenders for seeking out and serving agri-SMEs accessing finance for the first time, promoting opportunities for women & youth, contributing to food security & nutrition in Africa, and applying environmentally sustainable practices.
>60%
of loans going to first-time borrowers
$429M
of capital mobilized
2.2M
Farmers & workers impacted
Higher standards for impact
Aceli has set higher standards for impact across four key areas: environment, food security & nutrition, women, and youth. Loans that meet one or more of these standards are rewarded with impact bonuses and bonuses are tiered to reward lenders for seeking out and serving the highest impact businesses. Read our Impact Policy to learn more.
Impact bonuses
Agri-SMEs that practice regenerative agriculture and circularity (for example, converting animal waste to fertilizer).
Agri-SMEs that increase the supply of food for African consumers, enhance the nutritional value of food, and/or reduce food loss.
Drawing upon the 2X Challenge criteria, this bonus recognizes SMEs that promote women’s economic empowerment as entrepreneurs, board members, business managers, employees, and/or farmers suppliers.
Aceli’s youth bonus is modeled after our women’s impact bonus with entrepreneurs classified as youth up to the age of 35 and employees and farmer suppliers considered youth up to age 30.
By 2030, we expect to generate employment and market access for
5M
farmers & workers by increasing access to finance for agri-SMEs.
Impact Stories
Impact Profile: Cluster of Cassava SMEs, Tanzania
We profiled a cluster of SMEs in Northwestern Tanzania who accessed their first loans to purchase cassava from 1,980 smallholder farmers.
