Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund

What they do

The Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (AATIF) is a public-private partnership established as an evergreen fund to realize Africa's agricultural potential. Initiated by KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), AATIF aims to improve food security, increase local income, and create employment by investing across the entire agricultural value chain. The fund employs a blended finance structure, using public funds as a first-loss layer to mitigate risk and attract private capital. In August 2024, AATIF appointed Cygnum Capital as its new Investment Advisor, replacing the former manager, to expand its reach and on-the-ground expertise across the continent.

What they look for

AATIF's core thesis is to boost Africa's agricultural potential by responsibly and patiently investing in local agrifood value chains. The fund aims to be additive by providing financing in areas that lack appropriate financial services, thereby filling financing gaps and encouraging other private investors to enter the market ("crowding in"). It finances small, medium, and large-scale farms and agricultural businesses either directly or indirectly through financial intermediaries. A key goal is to foster local value addition, reducing the export of raw commodities and strengthening local economies.

Stage

Series B+

Sectors

Food and agriculture

Based

Luxembourg, LU