Sahel Capital Secures $10M from Mastercard Foundation to Scale Agri-SMEs Across Africa

Sahel Capital, a leading agribusiness investment firm in Africa, has secured a US$10 million commitment from the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund to expand support for small and medium-sized agribusinesses (agri-SMEs) across sub-Saharan Africa.

The funding, channeled through the Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA) – managed by Sahel Capital – will help finance early- and growth-stage agribusinesses in 13 African countries, with the potential to create over 10,000 jobs. A key focus is empowering women and youth, who are critical yet often underserved participants in the agricultural value chain.

The Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund is managed by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) through its Mauritius-based operations and supports African fund managers driving inclusive economic growth.

Since its launch in 2021 with seed funding from the KfW Development Bank, SEFAA has deployed 33 financing facilities to 18 agri-SMEs across seven countries. The fund offers tailored debt solutions – often combined with technical assistance and optional equity – to strengthen the operational and financial resilience of its portfolio companies.

“This US$10 million investment is a powerful endorsement of our mission and impact,” said Mezuo Nwuneli, Managing Partner at Sahel Capital. “By strengthening the agri-SMEs that partner with smallholder farmers, we’re not only increasing incomes but also building a more sustainable and inclusive food system across Africa.”

Dorothy Nyambi, President and CEO of MEDA, highlighted the strategic alignment between the organizations: “Our partnership with Sahel Capital and SEFAA advances inclusive economic opportunities through targeted finance. Together, we’re catalyzing job creation and building resilient ecosystems for SMEs to thrive.”

The investment underscores growing recognition of agriculture as a cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation, with potential to drive food security, reduce poverty, and generate sustainable livelihoods.

With this capital boost, SEFAA is poised to deepen its footprint across the continent, reinforcing its role as a leading vehicle for impact-driven agribusiness investment in Africa.