West Africa

Operating out of Lagos, we invest in off-grid energy, resilient agriculture, and youth employment.

Agriculture
Energy
Workforce

Our impact in West Africa

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deployed for breakthrough solutions

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lives reached through market-based solutions

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Academy alumni dedicated to social change

A young and surging population is primed for possibility.

West Africa is home to some 350 million people, more than half of whom are under 25. Increasing access to basic services can drastically improve health and well-being for 75% of the population who live on less than $2 per day. We back visionary entrepreneurs who can positively disrupt systems for generations to come.

Smallholder farmers represent the majority of the population but their productivity is among the lowest in the world. We focus on helping smallholder farmers increase yields and incomes with climate-resilient practices and access to markets.

Woman picks ripe grain stalks from field in West Africa; Photo Credit: Juergen Sauer, Munich

Man cheerfully sews clothes in West African garment shop while listening to music

A man and woman enjoying access to lighting in their home

Repairing broken systems, one idea at a time

We don’t have to settle for the status quo. The solutions to poverty exist and they are within our reach.

Trellis

We invest in scalable agribusinesses that improve the lives of smallholder farmers through market access and climate adaptation support.

Man pours water from jug to a tub for Chickens to drink on East African farm

Pioneer Energy Investment Initiative PLUS

We invest in sustainable energy-powered appliances that help increase incomes and enhance climate resilience for rural livelihoods.

Workers inspect and pick onions from solar drying rack in India

West Africa Fellowship

Leaders learn skills and get support to solve problems of poverty as part of a community of 112 Fellows.

Women excitedly hugs other women in West Africa

Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund

ARAF is the world’s first equity fund designed to build the climate resilience of smallholder farmers.

Man inspects and picks coffee beans on Coffee farm in Colombia

Our team

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Senior Investment Associate

Associate Director, Portfolio

Associate, Portfolio

Senior Associate, Operations

Portfolio Sr. Associate

Acumen Academy Manager

Fellows Associate

Senior Associate, Fellows

Don’t just take our word for it.

The proof is in the progress. From Lagos to Freetown, West African companies are moving the needle on problems of poverty.

Case Study

Koolboks

Energy West Africa 2022

Innovation is cool in Nigeria

63%

of customers are female micro-entrepreneurs

70%

of customers report improved quality of life

Read case study

Case Study

Warc Africa

Agriculture West Africa 2019

Where resilient farmers meet regenerative agriculture

20K

farmers worked with Warc

39%

of farmers reached are women

Read case study

Woman picks plants in arid field in West Africa

Case Study

Lizard Earth

Agriculture West Africa 2021

Connecting cocoa farmers to premium markets

92%

of customers live below $3.20 per day

72%

of customers reported improved quality of life

Read case study

Our investees

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CropBank

A last-mile, post-harvest services platform to store, manage, and monetize produce

Easy Solar

Making solar energy affordable to low-income customers in Sierra Leone through rent-to-own financing

Koolboks

Making refrigeration accessible and affordable to all

Lizard Earth

Improving the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa farmers

Paga

A mobile platform providing the unbanked in Nigeria and Pakistan with access to formal financial services

Warc

Offering smallholder farmers equipment, inputs, and training

CropSafe

Supporting smallholders by minimizing post-harvest losses, while providing access to markets

Winock Solar

Enabling many of Nigeria's small business owners to transition to cost-saving solar power for the first time

Meet the leaders of the future.

The Foundry is our global community of more than 1,600 alumni. Accompanied with the tools, connections, and capital required to scale their impact, theseleaders draw on shared wisdom and experience as they navigate the often difficult path of social entrepreneurship.

Learn more