AHL Venture Partners

Robust International is a company that has evolved from its initial focus on plantation logs to become a key player in the agribusiness sector. It specializes in international trading services for agricultural commodities, managing the entire process from contract agreements to delivery. The company handles a diverse range of products, including cashew nuts, sesame seeds, rice, maize, and gum arabic, ensuring efficient management of supply chains to meet its clients' needs. Robust International's strategic shift away from timber logs has positioned it as a prominent entity in the agricultural market.

Ampersand is a company based in Kigali, Rwanda, that specializes in the manufacture of affordable electric vehicles and charging systems tailored for the three million motorcycle taxi drivers in East Africa. The company aims to enhance mass-market electric mobility by providing a battery swap network and an operating system that facilitates sustainable transport solutions. By making electric mobility accessible and affordable, Ampersand not only improves the livelihoods of drivers but also contributes to environmental sustainability. As of January 2024, the company's customer base has expanded to 2,000 users, who collectively cover 1.5 million kilometers weekly in Nairobi and Kigali.

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 is a Nairobi-based company established in 2011 that specializes in supplying high-quality agrichemicals, fertilizers, seeds, and livestock services to farmers and pastoralists throughout Kenya. The company offers a comprehensive range of products, including antibiotics, acaricides, animal feeds, and various veterinary supplies, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity. Additionally, Sidai provides essential services such as clinical care, artificial insemination, and extension services, along with marketing support for livestock and livestock products. The company operates a unique last-mile service delivery model, ensuring that even remote and underserved areas receive access to its offerings through a network of company-managed and franchised retail outlets. Furthermore, Sidai supports its franchisees by providing quality product access, business planning, management training, and opportunities for professional development, thereby fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving overall farm management in the region.

Rent to Own Ltd. is a company based in Lusaka, Zambia, that specializes in providing affordable financing and essential equipment to small-scale entrepreneurs in rural areas. Founded in 2010, the company focuses on empowering local business owners by offering high-impact assets such as refrigerators, hammer mills, and irrigation pumps, which are crucial for farming and food production. Rent to Own employs a tailored approach to its financing services, adapting to the unique needs of each client through a guided asset selection process, direct distribution, and individualized training for equipment maintenance and usage. Its innovative six-step loan process helps mitigate repayment risks while ensuring optimal utilization of the provided equipment, thereby facilitating business growth and enhancing the entrepreneurial landscape in rural Zambian communities.

Tulaa is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2017 that develops a software application aimed at enhancing the agricultural marketplace. The platform connects smallholder farmers with agri-input suppliers, financial service providers, and commodity buyers, facilitating the sale of agricultural products and access to affordable financing. By leveraging mobile technology and local agent networks, Tulaa reduces the costs and risks associated with doing business in the agricultural sector. The company's marketplace provides farmers with essential information on supplies, credit options, and market connections, ultimately enabling them to improve their sales and financial stability.

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 providing customized, fuel-efficient cooking solutions for underserved communities in the developing world. The organization designs, manufactures, and distributes a variety of cookstoves, including biomass, liquid fuel, and electric options, aimed at reducing harmful emissions and improving indoor air quality. Operating the largest modern manufacturing facility of its kind in Africa, located near Nairobi, BURN produces one stove per minute to meet the needs of local populations. By collaborating with implementing organizations, BURN develops sustainable stove dissemination systems that not only enhance cooking efficiency but also address significant issues such as deforestation, women's health, and climate change.

EthioChicken is a prominent poultry production company based in East Africa, comprising several operational entities including AGP Poultry PLC, Mekelle Farms Ltd, and Andasa Poultry PLC. The company focuses on breeding and hatchery operations, primarily producing day-old chickens, along with affordable and blended feed. EthioChicken collaborates with smallholder farmers to enhance nutrition and improve livelihoods in rural areas. By providing accessible poultry products, the company aims to create income opportunities for farmers, contributing to the overall development of the local agricultural sector.

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 Trust is a pension provider focused on serving the Ghanaian workforce. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including pension knowledge, fully integrated pensions, IT services, micro pensions, retirement advisory services, and group personal pension schemes. Its mission is to enhance resilience within the informal economy and help reduce old-age poverty by providing accessible and affordable pension solutions. With a commitment to innovative and flexible financial services, People's Pension Trust aims to improve the financial well-being of its clients and ensure they have the means to secure their retirement.

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 is a Nairobi-based company established in 2011 that specializes in supplying high-quality agrichemicals, fertilizers, seeds, and livestock services to farmers and pastoralists throughout Kenya. The company offers a comprehensive range of products, including antibiotics, acaricides, animal feeds, and various veterinary supplies, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity. Additionally, Sidai provides essential services such as clinical care, artificial insemination, and extension services, along with marketing support for livestock and livestock products. The company operates a unique last-mile service delivery model, ensuring that even remote and underserved areas receive access to its offerings through a network of company-managed and franchised retail outlets. Furthermore, Sidai supports its franchisees by providing quality product access, business planning, management training, and opportunities for professional development, thereby fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving overall farm management in the region.

Zoona is a mobile technology company established in 2009, headquartered in South Africa with operations in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. It specializes in developing products such as money transfers, electronic voucher payments, and agent payments, aiming to provide safe and reliable financial services to underserved communities across Africa. As of now, Zoona has processed over $2 billion in transactions, demonstrating its significant impact on the continent's financial landscape. The company has been recognized by notable organizations like The Nike Foundation and The Unreasonable Group for its potential to empower young entrepreneurs and help girls become entrepreneurs, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation efforts.

M-Kopa is a company that offers connected asset financing solutions aimed at underbanked customers. By leveraging a platform that integrates digital micropayments and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, M-Kopa facilitates access to essential products and services, including solar lighting, televisions, refrigerators, smartphones, and financial services. The company's innovative approach allows individuals without credit histories or substantial assets to secure financing, thereby improving their quality of life through affordable and accessible everyday essentials.

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

Honey Care Africa is a company that focuses on generating income for small beekeepers and nut farmers while providing natural honey and honey-based snacks across Africa. By sourcing honey, nuts, and seeds from smallholder farmers in the East African region, it helps these producers maximize their earnings and improve their livelihoods. Honey Care Africa then distributes these products, meeting the diverse needs of local consumers and enabling them to access high-quality, natural food options. Through this model, the company supports agricultural sustainability and fosters economic growth within rural communities.

EFTA Ltd is a finance company based in Tanzania, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Moshi, with an additional branch in Dar es Salaam. It specializes in providing equipment loans tailored for small and medium enterprises as well as farmers, supporting various sectors including agriculture, construction, transportation, and tourism. EFTA offers a range of financing options, including standard equipment loans, loans for moveable equipment, and repeat loans for returning customers. It also facilitates loans for importing equipment from countries such as India, Kenya, and China, as well as low-interest loans through preferred suppliers. Notably, EFTA provides larger leases specifically designed for agricultural purposes, allowing clients to access funds without requiring collateral beyond the equipment financed. Through its services, EFTA aims to enable businesses to operate efficiently and achieve growth.