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Led by the Catalyst Fund, a group of investors committed to sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity, the funding will fuel Zebra CropBank’s expansion and empower farmers.
The investment targets scaling Zebra CropBank’s operations, primarily through deploying solar-powered micro-warehouses and strengthening its integrated trading platforms.
This addresses key challenges faced by smallholder farmers: limited storage capabilities, weak market linkages, and climate change vulnerability.
Zebra CropBank’s innovative model relies on constructing and leasing solar-powered micro-warehouses near farming communities.
These facilities enable farmers to securely store and insure their harvests, while a USSD platform ensures transparent storage and trading.
The impact is already tangible, with farmers experiencing up to 90% income increases and minimized storage losses.
Investors were drawn to Zebra CropBank’s potential for significant positive impact, recognizing its fact-based approach to tackling multifaceted challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
Its unique focus on post-harvest solutions – storage and market access – sets it apart in the agritech sector.
Currently operating in Enugu State with five established micro-warehouses and 1,400 registered farmers, Zebra CropBank offers climate-smart solutions tailored to smallholder needs.
“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.
Kenyan electric mobility company Roam is gearing up to launch 10 additional solar-powered Roam Hubs in Nairobi, supported by funding from ENERGICA, an initiative under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) have launched a joint initiative to drive project development across six sub-Saharan African countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal.
The investment was made by Alta Semper Capital LLP , a dedicated frontier-markets private equity firm investing in flexible and strategic capital in healthcare and consumer opportunities.