Acumen

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.

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.

Sanergy, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing sanitation infrastructure in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The company aims to provide accessible and hygienic sanitation facilities by establishing a network of low-cost sanitation centers that include toilets and hot showers. These centers are franchised to local entrepreneurs with support from microfinance institutions. Sanergy also implements a waste collection system, where human waste is safely removed and transported to a central processing facility. At this facility, the waste undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which is converted into electricity for sale to the national grid, and organic fertilizers, which are marketed to commercial farms and smallholder farmers. By creating a sustainable sanitation cycle, Sanergy promotes the fundamental right to sanitation and improves living conditions for residents in urban areas lacking sewer infrastructure. The company was founded in 2010 and operates from Atlanta, Georgia.

SolarNow is a company that provides solar energy solutions and financing in East Africa, particularly through its operations in Uganda and Kenya. Founded in 2011 by Willem Nolens and headquartered in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, SolarNow focuses on delivering solar home systems, electrical appliances, and tailored power solutions for rural and urban households, small businesses, farmers, and institutions. The company aims to meet the growing demand for clean and affordable energy by offering high-quality, reliable solar products, along with flexible credit options that enable customers to access these essential services. Through its comprehensive approach, SolarNow addresses the energy needs of various sectors while promoting sustainable energy use in the region.

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.

Sanergy, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing sanitation infrastructure in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The company aims to provide accessible and hygienic sanitation facilities by establishing a network of low-cost sanitation centers that include toilets and hot showers. These centers are franchised to local entrepreneurs with support from microfinance institutions. Sanergy also implements a waste collection system, where human waste is safely removed and transported to a central processing facility. At this facility, the waste undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which is converted into electricity for sale to the national grid, and organic fertilizers, which are marketed to commercial farms and smallholder farmers. By creating a sustainable sanitation cycle, Sanergy promotes the fundamental right to sanitation and improves living conditions for residents in urban areas lacking sewer infrastructure. The company was founded in 2010 and operates from Atlanta, Georgia.

Juhudi Kilimo provides asset financing, technical assistance, and business training services to smallholder farmers and small-to-medium agro businesses in Kenya. It offers financing for dairy cows and goats; poultry, pigs, rabbits, and other livestock as well as fish farming; agricultural equipment, including irrigation, agro-processing, and energy-related equipment; and motorcycles, bicycles, and other vehicles primarily to transport farm goods. The company was founded in 2004 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

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 is a Kenya-based company whose mission is to address the lack of maize productivity among smallholder farms in East Africa. Using its hybrid seed varieties allows farmers to double crop yields and increase their income. In the last two growing seasons, Western Seed reached more than 300,000 farmers. By 2014, Western Seed hopes to impact 800,000 households which translates into more than 4 million people.