The Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA), managed by Sahel Capital, has secured a $10 million investment from the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund. The Fund is managed by MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates, Mauritius).
This investment marks a major milestone in SEFAA’s mission to finance social enterprises that drive meaningful change for smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. By strengthening agricultural ecosystems and expanding income-generating opportunities, SEFAA aims to create over 10,000 jobs for women and youths across 13 countries.
The partnership with MEDA Mauritius and the Fund reflects a shared commitment to unlocking economic growth and creating meaningful employment across the continent. This capital injection will allow SEFAA to expand its reach by supporting more agri-SMEs that are financially viable but often excluded from traditional financing. By bridging this funding gap, SEFAA will deepen its impact on smallholder farmers and contribute to long-term poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Since the inception of the Fund in 2021, we have processed 33 facilities to 18 companies in 7 countries in SSA”, said Mezuo Nwuneli, Managing Partner of Sahel Capital. "This $10 million commitment from the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, through MEDA Mauritius, is a testament to our team's hard work and the impactful work we are doing. It will be instrumental in accelerating our efforts to improve the income opportunity for SHFs by enabling the agri-SMEs that engages with them, further strengthening our position as a leading fund in the food and agriculture sector in Africa”.
Dorothy Nyambi, President and CEO of MEDA, said:
“We are proud to partner with SEFAA and Sahel Capital, whose strategic vision aligns with MEDA’s commitment to advancing economic opportunity through inclusive finance. With the support of the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, this collaboration strengthens our shared mission to catalyse job creation for women and youth by financing SMEs and MSMEs, while also helping to build the enabling ecosystems they need to thrive sustainably.”
The Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund is focused on unlocking capital for African SMEs, enabling them to scale and create dignified, fulfilling employment opportunities. Its investment into SEFAA, channelled through MEDA Mauritius, represents a strategic effort to direct catalytic capital toward high-potential enterprises that drive inclusive growth. The success and expansion of SEFAA has also been made possible through the pioneering support of KfW Development Bank, whose early investment was instrumental in establishing the Fund and advancing its mission.