AHL Venture Partners

Robust International is a company that has transitioned from dealing primarily in plantation logs to focusing on the agribusiness sector. It provides international trading services specifically for agricultural commodities, managing all contractual agreements and overseeing the logistics involved in the supply chain. The company handles a variety of products, including cashew nuts, sesame seeds, rice, maize, and gum arabic, ensuring effective management from the point of origin to the final destination. Through this shift, Robust International has reduced its involvement in the timber logs segment while establishing a solid presence in the agribusiness industry.

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.

Watu is an asset fintech firm focused on providing affordable and flexible financing access for people.

Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services (CROPNUTS) is East Africa’s leading private agricultural services company. We provide our customers with world class laboratory, precision agriculture and soil fertility and fertilizer use advisory services. We partner with farmers to increase their profitability, by raising crop yields through better soil and fertilizer management, and by reducing their input costs through a combination of building healthy soils and adopting precision farming technology.

Sidai Africa Ltd, founded in 2011 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in supplying a comprehensive range of agrichemicals, fertilizers, seeds, and livestock services tailored for farmers and pastoralists. The company offers a variety of products, including antibiotics, acaricides, animal feeds, and veterinary equipment, along with specialized services such as clinical care, artificial insemination, and farmer extension support. Sidai operates through a network of professionally-staffed retail outlets and franchises, employing a unique service delivery model that effectively reaches underserved communities in remote areas. In addition to product supply, Sidai provides franchise support, including business planning, training, and access to finance, enhancing the capabilities of its partners while ensuring the availability of quality agricultural inputs.

Rent to Own Ltd. is a company based in Lusaka, Zambia, founded in 2010, that focuses on providing affordable financing to small-scale entrepreneurs in rural areas. The company offers a range of essential assets, including refrigerators, hammer mills, and irrigation pumps, which are crucial for farming and food production. By implementing various rental arrangements, Rent to Own assists business owners in building their assets and expanding their services. The company tailors its offerings to meet the specific needs of each client, providing a guided asset selection process, direct distribution, and one-on-one training for equipment maintenance and usage. Additionally, Rent to Own employs a unique six-step loan process that mitigates repayment risk and ensures optimal use of the provided equipment, thereby supporting the growth potential of businesses in these rural communities.

Tulaa is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2017 that focuses on enhancing the agricultural sector by connecting smallholder farmers with suppliers, financial service providers, and commodity buyers. The company develops a software application that enables farmers to buy and sell agricultural products, facilitating access to affordable financing for inputs and improving market connections. By leveraging mobile technology and last mile agent networks, Tulaa aims to reduce the costs and risks associated with doing business in rural areas. The platform offers farmers essential information on farming supplies, credit options, and tailored advice, ultimately empowering them to improve sales and gain better access to markets.

Java Foods Ltd., established in 2012 and headquartered in Lusaka, Zambia, specializes in the production and distribution of instant noodles across Southern Africa. The company is committed to providing high-quality, nutritious, and affordable food options, utilizing local products. Its instant noodles are fortified with proteins, vitamins, and minerals, offering consumers a convenient and healthy meal alternative at a competitive price.

Twiga Foods Ltd. is a mobile-based supply platform that caters to retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates a cashless, business-to-business supply chain that connects small and medium-sized vendors with essential agricultural products. Twiga Foods enables vendors to order a variety of supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform, streamlining the distribution process in urban markets. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also supports local businesses by improving access to quality produce.

BURN Design Lab is a nonprofit organization focused on creating customized biomass stove solutions for the developing world. The organization collaborates with implementing partners to establish sustainable stove dissemination systems that address cooking needs while tackling issues such as deforestation, women's health, and global warming. BURN's primary activities include the design, local manufacture, and distribution of fuel-efficient cooking products aimed at enhancing the lives of underserved communities. Operating a modern manufacturing facility near Nairobi, BURN produces a stove every minute, making it the largest facility of its kind in Africa. Their range of affordable and durable cookstoves, which include biomass, liquid fuel, and electric options, is designed to reduce harmful emissions and improve indoor air quality, enabling families to cook safely and sustainably while protecting their health and the environment.

EthioChicken operates as a poultry production company in East Africa, with its primary entities being AGP Poultry PLC, Mekelle Farms Ltd, and Andasa Poultry PLC. The company focuses on breeding and hatching day-old chickens, as well as producing affordable blended feed. By partnering with smallholder farmers, EthioChicken aims to improve nutrition and enhance the livelihoods of rural farmers, while also creating income opportunities in the region. The company’s efforts contribute to making poultry products more accessible, thereby supporting local economies and food security.

PowerGen Renewable Energy is a leading provider of energy solutions in East Africa, focused on transforming energy access for residential, community, commercial, government, and industrial customers. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with additional offices in Arusha, Tanzania; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Lagos, Nigeria, the company specializes in the development, construction, and operation of solar mini-grids. PowerGen offers a range of services including engineering, procurement, construction, and financing, ensuring affordable and reliable power for communities that are not connected to national electricity networks. As a pioneer in the solar mini-grid sector, PowerGen is committed to driving the clean energy transition across Africa and is a founding member of the Africa Mini-grid Developers Association, collaborating with various sector leaders to enhance energy access in the region.

People's Pension is a pension provider focused on enhancing financial security for the Ghanaian workforce. It offers a variety of services including pension knowledge, fully integrated pension solutions, IT services, micro pensions, retirement advisory services, and group personal pension schemes. By delivering innovative and flexible financial services, People's Pension aims to increase resilience within the informal economy and mitigate old-age poverty. The company is dedicated to providing affordable pension schemes and high-quality services to ensure that individuals have access to essential retirement planning resources.

Acre provides services such as multiperil crop cover, mortality livestock cover, advisory services, vegetation indexing, and soil moisture index cover. They offer risk assessment, product development, and risk monitoring to facilitate access to crop and livestock insurance products for smallholders.

Sidai Africa Ltd, founded in 2011 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in supplying a comprehensive range of agrichemicals, fertilizers, seeds, and livestock services tailored for farmers and pastoralists. The company offers a variety of products, including antibiotics, acaricides, animal feeds, and veterinary equipment, along with specialized services such as clinical care, artificial insemination, and farmer extension support. Sidai operates through a network of professionally-staffed retail outlets and franchises, employing a unique service delivery model that effectively reaches underserved communities in remote areas. In addition to product supply, Sidai provides franchise support, including business planning, training, and access to finance, enhancing the capabilities of its partners while ensuring the availability of quality agricultural inputs.

Zoona is a mobile technology company focused on providing financial services to underserved communities across Africa. Founded in 2009, it has established a robust distribution network that facilitates money transfers, electronic voucher payments, savings, credit, and bill payments primarily for unbanked customers. With operations in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, Zoona leverages cutting-edge technology and a network of agents to ensure safe and reliable access to financial services. The company has processed over $2 billion in transactions and has received recognition from organizations such as The Nike Foundation and The Unreasonable Group for its impactful contributions to empowering young entrepreneurs and helping to alleviate poverty, particularly among girls.

M-KOPA is a company that offers connected asset financing solutions aimed at underbanked customers. Its platform integrates digital micropayments and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity to provide access to essential products, including solar lighting, televisions, refrigerators, and smartphones. The platform is designed to be accessible, allowing customers to secure financing without the need for a credit history or collateral. By focusing on life-enhancing products and services, M-KOPA aims to improve the quality of life for individuals in underserved markets.

Umiliki Investment is a finance company that provides fund for small and medium scale businesses.

Honey Care Africa is a distributor of natural honey and honey-based snacks in East Africa. The company sources honey, nuts, and seeds from smallholder farmers, providing them with a sustainable income stream. By purchasing these products directly from local producers, Honey Care Africa supports the livelihoods of small beekeepers and nut farmers. The company then sells these goods to local consumers, catering to diverse market demands and promoting the consumption of natural, locally-sourced products. This business model not only benefits individual farmers but also enhances access to quality food products within the region.

EFTA Ltd is a Tanzanian finance company based in Moshi, with an additional branch in Dar es Salaam. Established in 2003, it specializes in providing equipment loans primarily to small and medium enterprises and farmers across various industries, including construction, agricultural processing, and transportation. EFTA offers a range of financing options, including standard equipment loans, loans for movable equipment, and repeat loans for returning customers. Additionally, it facilitates loans for customers seeking to import equipment from countries such as India, Kenya, or China, and provides low-interest rate loans through preferred suppliers. The company also extends larger leases for agricultural ventures, enabling clients to access funding without requiring collateral beyond the equipment financed. Through these services, EFTA aims to support the growth and efficiency of micro-enterprises, particularly in the agri-business sector.