Opportunity
Investing in African agriculture can lead to improved livelihoods for millions.
Chronic lack of finance for agriculture
The majority of the population in East Africa works in agriculture, but a fraction of bank lending goes to the sector.
In East Africa
65%
people work in agriculture
Yet agriculture receives
5%
of commercial bank lending
Barriers to agri-SME finance
The agriculture sector faces many challenges from access to markets to weather events. Aceli’s data analysis reveals that risk in agri-SME lending is significantly higher and returns are lower than other sectors.
Unlocking finance to serve the missing middle
Despite the challenging economics of serving this segment, access to finance remains a necessary ingredient for agri-SMEs to thrive. Aceli’s approach is designed to reach this $75 billion market.
Activating impact potential
Investing in African agriculture is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realizing inclusive economic growth. With access to finance and a stronger enabling environment, agri-SMEs could improve sustainable food production and supply affordable, nutritious food for a growing population across the continent.
Data & learning
Dive deeper to see how Aceli is closing the agri-SME financing gap.
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A framework for incentivizing lending to high-impact agricultural SMEs in East Africa
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