Acumen

RDG Collective was established in 2018 with the ambition to ‘Empower the Future’ by developing and distributing innovative solar home systems throughout Zambia, where an estimated 2.4 million households still lack access to electricity. While the cost of solar energy remained prohibitively high for almost all off-grid households, RDG Collective came up with innovative products distributed on a pay-as-you-go basis. By eliminating this financial barrier, RDG has enabled an increasing number of Zambian households to access solar home systems, refrigerators, solar water pumps and smartphones to improve and empower their lives.

SunCulture, located in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in solar-powered drip irrigation systems designed to enhance agricultural productivity while promoting sustainability. Their flagship product, the AgroSolar Irrigation Kit, integrates solar water pumping technology with high-efficiency drip irrigation, equipping farmers with the necessary tools to increase crop yields and optimize water usage. SunCulture distinguishes itself as a comprehensive resource for Kenyan farmers by offering not only the irrigation systems but also agronomic services, educational training, and access to financing and markets. This holistic approach addresses the needs of smallholder farmers, enabling them to grow food more efficiently while minimizing fertilizer waste through direct application in irrigation systems. By combining innovative technology with essential support services, SunCulture aims to empower rural communities and improve their agricultural outcomes.

Ampersand is a company based in Kigali, Rwanda, that focuses on manufacturing affordable electric vehicles and charging systems specifically for motorcycle taxi drivers in East Africa. By providing a battery swap network and an operating system, Ampersand aims to make sustainable mobility more accessible and affordable in developing markets. The company's initiatives not only enhance the livelihoods of local drivers but also contribute positively to the environment. As of January 2024, Ampersand has attracted 2,000 customers who collectively travel 1.5 million kilometers weekly in Nairobi and Kigali, illustrating the growing demand for electric mobility solutions in the region.

Kentaste Products Limited is a Kenyan company that specializes in processing, producing, packaging, and distributing a wide array of coconut-based products. Founded in 2011 and based in Nairobi, the company offers natural and locally sourced items, including coconut milk, cream, virgin oil, and desiccated coconut. Additionally, Kentaste produces snacks and chips made from coconuts, catering to diverse culinary uses such as sauces, drinks, curries, and desserts. Their products are available in supermarkets throughout Kenya, highlighting their commitment to providing quality food and beauty products derived from this versatile fruit.

Juhudi Kilimo Company Limited is a Nairobi-based microfinance institution founded in 2004 that specializes in providing asset financing, technical assistance, and business training services to smallholder farmers and small-to-medium agro-businesses in Kenya. The company offers a diverse range of financing options, including loans for livestock such as dairy cows, goats, poultry, pigs, and other animals, as well as for fish farming. Additionally, it finances agricultural equipment like irrigation systems and energy-related machinery, along with vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles for transporting farm goods. By focusing on loans that support agricultural activities and providing business management and financial literacy training, Juhudi Kilimo aims to enhance the livelihoods of rural farmers and empower them to create wealth through improved agricultural practices.

Gulu Agricultural Development Company (GADC) is a cotton ginning enterprise that supports over 55,000 smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda by facilitating their access to both national and international agricultural markets. The company focuses on revitalizing the region's cotton industry, which has been severely affected by years of conflict and instability. In addition to providing essential agricultural inputs to enhance crop yields, GADC offers agricultural extension and post-harvest management services. The company purchases cotton and sesame from farmers for cash, ensuring they have immediate financial support. Furthermore, GADC cleans, processes, packages, and exports these products to exclusive buyers, thereby improving production efficiency and market access for smallholder farmers. This initiative not only aids in economic recovery but also helps former refugees rebuild their livelihoods.

Western Seed Company Limited is a seed producer based in Kitale, Kenya, specializing in the development and distribution of high-quality seed varieties. Established in 1986, the company focuses on addressing agricultural challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly in enhancing maize productivity. It offers a range of products, including hybrid maize seeds, open-pollinated maize varieties, sorghum, millets, beans, and peas, all designed to resist common agricultural threats such as maize streak virus and drought. In recent years, Western Seed has made significant strides in reaching a large number of farmers, with the goal of impacting over 800,000 households by 2014. The company aims to improve crop yields and farmers' incomes through its innovative seed technologies and comprehensive research and breeding programs.