Bat Guano.pdf

The African Agriculture Fund (AAF) is a private equity fund investing in Africa's agricultural and food processing sector to address food security. The Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) was established to support AAF's investments, providing technical assistance to portfolio companies. TAF is funded by the European Union, managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and implemented by TechnoServe. Over five years, TAF has worked with various portfolio companies, implementing inclusive business projects, such as outgrower schemes, downstream distribution schemes, and base of the pyramid schemes, to enhance food security in Africa. The program has achieved positive results, increasing incomes and improving access to food for low-income producers and consumers. Key lessons learned include the importance of deploying support at the right time, matching support to company size, and designing and resourcing technical input effectively. The report aims to contribute to the field of technical assistance, providing case studies and thematic findings to guide investors and development partners in building inclusive businesses in Africa.