Victoria Sabula

The warehouse was never really the investment. The growth it unlocked was. In 2015, Agrinature had two branches and one rented warehouse. Through our Seed for Impact Program (SIP 2.0), funded by Sida, AECF backed Agrinature's growth from renting the storage it needed to owning a 7,000-metric-tonne warehouse, a full seed processing line, and its own seed quality control laboratory. Permanent staff grew from 15 to 38. Branches grew from two to seven, reaching farmers across Mbeya, Madaba, Babati, Siha and beyond. But the infrastructure is only part of the story. Today, 85 outgrowers produce certified common bean seed, including High Iron Bean varieties that bring both better nutrition and income to farmers' fields. This is what catalytic capital can do when placed early and paired with the right technical support: help move a company that once couldn't access commercial finance to a point where it can invest, grow, and serve its market at scale. #AgriFoodSystems #SeedsForImpact #AECF #Sida #Tanzania #CatalyticFinance

Have you watched Episode 2 of the AECF Podcast? Join AECF CEO @VictoriaSabula for an insightful conversation on why AECF exists and how catalytic finance, patient capital, technical assistance, and partnerships are helping African enterprises grow and create lasting impact. Learn how enterprise-led development can unlock jobs, expand access to essential services, and build a more inclusive, prosperous, and resilient Africa. ▶️ Watch the full episode and share your reflections:youtube.com/watch?v=CWwj51SG…

We are pleased to announce the release of our 2025 Annual Report. The report captures a year of progress, partnership, and impact across our work supporting enterprises that are expanding access to jobs, markets, clean energy, finance, and climate-smart solutions for underserved communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. It reflects the commitment of our teams, partners, investees, and stakeholders who continue to help advance enterprise-led development where it is needed most. We invite you to read the report and explore the stories, results, and lessons from our work in 2025. Read the report here: aecfafrica.org/publications/…

Africa's Blue Economy strategies are in place. The focus now must be on implementation. At the Ocean Conference, AECF CEO @VictoriaSabula moderated a dialogue on translating ocean strategies into coherent investment pathways. The discussion, with governments, investors, DFIs, and the private sector in the room, aimed to explore how we can move from policy ambitions to bankable projects, stronger partnerships, and measurable impact. At @AECFAfrica, we are helping bridge this gap by supporting innovative businesses, de-risking investment, and building the pipeline of opportunities that can unlock Africa's blue economy potential. The opportunity for institutions in this space is to move beyond strategy and accelerate the partnerships, investments, and actions needed to unlock Africa's blue economy potential. #BlueEconomy #AECF #OceanConference #Investment #Africa #SustainableDevelopment #OceanAction

At Nyakonyango Farms in Homabay, Leah’s aquaculture journey shows the power of male champions in advancing women-led enterprises. With the support of her husband, George, what started as a small fish farming venture has grown into a thriving business that creates jobs for women and youth, strengthens household incomes, and improves food security in the community. Through AECF’s Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya (IIW-BEK) program, supported by @GAC_Corporate , we are seeing how male allyship helps shift gender norms and unlock women’s leadership in sectors traditionally dominated by men. #AECF #IIWBEK #BlueEconomy #WomenEconomicEmpowerment #MaleChampions #GenderEquality #Aquaculture #Kenya

As a woman in business, catalytic funding has changed not only my business but also myself. Our model of working with rural women farmers in South Sudan was often dismissed by mainstream financiers in the country - Joy Ladu - Ubuntu Company #IWD2026 #IWD #InternationalWomensDay

The @kkcfkenya and AECF believed in me when mainstream banks dismissed my work with women and youth in Kakuma refugee camp. I dreamt big and started a training institution that now empowers refugees and host communities in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. Yesterday, 138 students graduated from my institution with technical skills - Nancy Karambu, Nemlon Enterprises #IWD2026 #IWD #InternationalWomensDay

Watch the livestream of our #IWD2026 event - Mobilizing Partnerships that Catalyze the Growth of the African Woman Entrepreneur youtube.com/live/_CThDmX1XwE

Women entrepreneurs across Africa are already solving complex economic and social challenges. They are building businesses that strengthen value chains, improve food security, and create opportunities for others - @VictoriaSabula #IWD2026 #IWD #InternationalWomensDay

Capital alone is rarely enough. Entrepreneurs often need access to advisory support, training, and networks to build resilient and competitive businesses - @VictoriaSabula #IWD2026 #IWD #InternationalWomensDay

When Francisco Mahanuque opened the New Hope Children Centre in 2012, in Katembe, Mozambique, his goal was simple; help one more child avoid the life he once lived as a street child. Today, over 90 vulnerable children call the centre home, receiving meals, education, protection, and a real chance at a better future. For years, getting water was the hardest part. Supply came only a few days a week. Every cup had to be rationed. Hygiene, cooking, and gardening were a daily struggle. In 2023, that changed. Through a one-off, special intervention, AECF came in with support from the Carona Family and technical partners to install a fully equipped borehole. This was not part of our regular funding portfolio, but a deliberate response to an urgent need. What changed on the ground: • Healthier children and better hygiene • Consistent meals and thriving kitchen gardens • Dignity and safety restored • Clean water shared with nearby households What changed on the ground: child. Sometimes it starts with water.

Did you know that in sub-Saharan Africa, about 900 million people rely on kerosene, firewood, or charcoal, exposing them to harmful health effects, undermining economic growth, and eroding resilience? @AECFAfrica, through the REACT programme, funded by @Sida, is helping to address this challenge by channelling finance and technical assistance to enterprises in the renewable energy space. In this video, we see how @SolarPanda , with funding and technical assistance from AECF, is lighting homes and empowering local women with jobs, leadership roles, and financial independence. The sun is everywhere, and so is the opportunity for a brighter future.

We have officially launched the REACT 2.0 Ethiopia programme in Addis Ababa today in an event that brought together government partners, development actors, and private sector stakeholders whose work touches energy and agriculture. The programme, supported by @Sida, is designed to promote climate-resilient energy access and strengthen inclusive finance for agricultural transformation. It aligns with Ethiopia’s National Electrification Program (NEP 2.0) and the National Sustainable Energy Development Strategy by supporting decentralized renewable solutions that raise agricultural productivity, improve food security, and widen household energy access. Speaking at the event, Johan Romare, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation, @SweinEthiopia , shared his gratitude for Sida's long-standing partnership with AECF and our support to progressive policies on clean energy across Sub-Saharan Africa. He noted that the private sector can be a powerful force for inclusive development, particularly when resources flow to those willing to innovate and operate in underserved markets. Reaffirming the Ethiopian Government's commitment to working with AECF and Sida to ensure this programme delivers fully for communities, Alemenesh Tarekegn, Lead Executive Officer, Rural Energy, Ministry of Water and Energy, stressed that climate resilience and energy access demand joint effort and bold thinking. With the facility now open, we are looking for enterprises in Ethiopia that are ready to expand access to clean energy. If you are building solutions that can reach rural communities, grow jobs, and strengthen resilience, apply now via the link below and be part of shaping Ethiopia’s energy future. aecfafrica.org/approach/our-…

Our CEO, @VictoriaSabula, Director of Finance and Operations Peter Ngigi CPA, and Head of Investments Ngare Muhindi, met with the @theGEF team at their DC office to connect on our continued partnership. GEF is driving bold, innovative action against climate change, and is continually looking at what private capital leverage looks like for financing climate-positive initiatives. AECF has been financing innovative business models and solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation for over 15 years. We are bringing our joint strengths and ambitions to accelerate partnerships between governments and the private sector, and effectively draw in the private sector to solve the impacts of climate change. Sub-Saharan Africa is the most vulnerable to climate change, despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions. There is a huge shortfall in finance for both mitigation and adaptation. We continue to innovate on how to unlock further capital for the region by using public funds to de-risk private sector investments. #BlendedFinance #ClimateChange #Partnerships

AECF participated in #AFSIC2025 - Investing in Africa, engaging with investors who, like us, believe Africa’s growth needs capital that understands the continent, its people, potential, and realities. We shared our approach to investing differently. One that aligns with Africa’s unique strengths and delivers lasting impact. It was inspiring to connect with partners committed to advancing inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent. @VictoriaSabula