Patient, flexible capital for climate-smart, inclusive SMEs in East Africa.
WHERE WE CREATE IMPACT
We back local SMEs in agri-food value chains and inclusive finance across East Africa. Our focus is on solutions that strengthen smallholder livelihoods, expand access to affordable financial services, and build climate resilience for underserved communities. We invest where impact and commercial opportunity reinforce each other.
WHAT WE DELIVER
Our companies improve productivity and incomes, widen financial inclusion for low-income households and women, and enable practical climate adaptation. We use a rigorous impact framework that links every operating KPI to a concrete social or environmental outcome, ensuring results that are measurable and durable.
HOW WE ACCELERATE IMPACT
We provide patient, flexible capital in equity and equity-like instruments with the ability to follow on, combined with active ownership. Governance support, strategy and fundraising help, technical assistance, and relevant digital partnerships drive value creation over time and help strong operators grow into resilient, scalable businesses.
Key results
3.9M people reached
70% low-income people reached
48% women reached
75% of portfolio companies raised additional capital from investors brought in by NIF
100% local founders
50% women founders
43% women in management
46% women employees
NIF’s impact and sustainability strategy is rooted in a holistic approach incorporating both intentional positive impact (do good) and mitigating potential adverse impacts (do no harm).
Input and activities
Flexible capital
Equity, debt or hybrid instruments
Strategic advice
Value creation through technical assistance and strategic guidance
Impact Incentives
Financial incentives upon achievement of impact targets
Investment Focus
Food systems and
agribusinesses
Financial and digital enablers
Climate-smart solutions contributing to increased climate adaptation and resilience
Gender-smart solutions contributing to increased gender equity
Inclusive solutions targeted low-income populations
Sustainable solutions ensuring no harm to sustainable development objectives
effect on portfolio companies
- Business growth and expansion
- Increased economic viability
- Improved governance and investability
- Increased depth and breadth of impact
- Increased inclusion
- Improved enviromental and social (risk) management
Example longer term outcomes
Increased quality, quantity, and consistency of yields
Increased financial inclusion and resilience
Increased efficiency and inclusivity of agricultural value chains
Increased quality, quantity, and consistency of yields
Increased financial inclusion and resilience
Increased efficiency and inclusivity of agricultural value chains
Ultimate impact objectives
Increased climate adaption and resilience for low-income populations in East Africa
