Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund
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Aim —
The goal of the AECF is to accelerate pro-poor growth in Africa, thereby increasing employment, livelihood opportunities and incomes, and reducing poverty
More information — The AECF (the “fund”) is a competition, open only to for-profit private companies which have, or intend to, start business enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa in the field of agriculture, agri-business, rural financial services and media and information services to these sectors. The fund will run a number of competitions each year for 6 years.
Sectors —
Who can apply
Type of organisations targeted — NGO
Specific organisations targeted — Pro-profit private companies which have, or intend to, start business enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa
Type of projects —
Specific type of projects —
Primarily ideas in the field of agriculture, agri-business, rural financial services and the value chain which extends from rural areas to their local and international markets. To qualify for funding your business idea should have a positive impact on the rural poor in Sub-Saharan Africa: delivering increased employment, reduced costs, and improved productivity
Project stadia — Business idea
Target world region —
Specific information on target countries —
Sub-Saharan African countries
Criteria — 1. The applicant must be a fully registered and licenced for-profit company 2. The Company/applicant must at least match (in cash or kind) the AECF's contribution 3. The business idea must be innovative 4. The funds requested from the AECF must be additional 5. The business idea must have the potential to be commercially viable 6. The business idea/project must benefit large numbers of people living in rural areas in Africa.
How to apply
Application procedure — The initial application form is available on this website. You have to register on line, complete the form and submit it via this website - it is easy to complete and only requires an outline description of your company and your project.
Selection procedure — Funding approval for successful applications will be granted within a maximum of 150 days from the closing date for initial applications: Within 60 days of the closing date for each round, the AECF will decide which applications should be invited to submit a full proposal or business plan. The full proposal will then be required within 60 days. The AECF will take a further 30 days to scrutinize projects for approval.
