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This strategic investment will significantly fuel Khula’s expansion plans and enhance its mission of connecting farmers with suppliers, buyers, and financing options.
The Kgodiso Development Fund, established by PepsiCo South Africa with an initial capital of R600 million ($32.7M), spearheaded this investment.
The fund aims to foster the growth of emerging farmers by supporting market-driven programs, co-creating innovative solutions, and expanding its impact through strategic investments.
Founded by Karidas Tshintsholo, Jackson Dyora, and Matthew Piper, Khula has developed a comprehensive digital ecosystem that addresses the key challenges faced by South African farmers, including limited access to markets and financing constraints.
The investment from PepsiCo will enable Khula to expand its reach beyond South Africa and leverage PepsiCo’s global presence and supply chain to create new opportunities for farmers.
“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.

Uganda’s JKCC General Supplies has secured a $6.5 million loan from the IDH Farmfit Fund to support its operations and expand its reach among local coffee farmers.

YoLa Fresh, a Moroccan agritech startup that connects smallholder farmers directly with traditional fruit and vegetable retailers, has secured $7 million in pre-Series A funding.

Dopay, a fintech platform focused on providing digital payroll and payment solutions to the unbanked and underbanked workforce in emerging markets, has successfully raised $13.5 million in a Series A extension round.