The African Development Bank (the Bank) serves as the administrator of the ACFM holding the funds, assets, and receipts of the ACFM in trust. As the legal owner, the Bank manages these resources in accordance with its policies, the Bank Agreement, the ACFM Arrangement, and Operational Guidelines. The ACFM's operations comply with the Bank’ operational safeguards, including stringent environmental and social requirements. ACFM loans will be co-financed by the Bank’s own resources at a ratio of at least 1:0.5, ensuring significant investment in Agri-SMEs. The Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department (AHFR) of the Bank hosts the ACFM Coordinating Unit (CU), leading the implementation of ACFM activities aligned with the Bank’s 'Feed Africa' strategy. AHFR provides technical expertise, administrative support, and managerial oversight to ensure that ACFM operations are efficient, compliant, and impactful in catalyzing investments in the agri-food value chain.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) is the founding partner of the ACFM, contributing CAD 100 million to establish the fund. As the main contributor, DFATD ensures that the ACFM operates in alignment with its Arrangement. DFATD plays a key role in reviewing the ACFM annual work program, budget, audits, and periodic reports. It also holds authority to approve the ACFM Operational Guidelines and any amendments before they are reviewed by the Bank’s Operations Committee and Board of Directors. While the ACFM was initially capitalized solely by Canada, it is structured to accept contributions from other donors, evolving into a multi-donor fund to further mobilize resources for Africa's agri-food sector.

OCA is a key technical partner of the ACFM. Through the two-year Agri-SME Support Program, implemented under ACFM’s Technical Assistance Window, OCA provided tailored support to strengthen the growth, investment readiness, gender inclusion and climate resilience of African agri-SMEs.

Delivered through the Seed Lab, Growth Facility and ACFM Connect, the program supported 193 agri-SMEs across 20 African countries, helping participating businesses strengthen their strategies, operations and ability to access finance. Collectively, supported agri-SMEs mobilized approximately US$33 million in financing. Building on this work, OCA’s engagement with ACFM has expanded to include blended-finance structuring, regional pipeline development, climate-risk integration and the design of de-risking solutions.

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), through its Business Investment Financing Track (BIFT), is a key co-financing and de-risking partner of ACFM. The partnership provides concessional finance, risk-sharing instruments and technical assistance to complement ACFM resources and unlock investment in high-impact agricultural projects.

ACFM has helped mobilize USD 22 million in BIFT support across two packages. This includes USD 12 million for the multi-country Agro-Inputs Risk Sharing Facility, and USD 10 million for the Cooperative Bank of Oromia transaction in Ethiopia.

These initiatives are designed to expand access to agricultural inputs and affordable finance, strengthen participating financial institutions, and support underserved, women-led and climate-resilient agri-SMEs. By mobilizing GAFSP resources alongside ACFM and Bank financing, the partnership mitigates investment risks, crowds in additional capital, and strengthens inclusive agri-food systems across Africa.

SUCDEN is a leading global soft commodities group with a strong presence in cocoa trading and sustainable value-chain development. In Côte d’Ivoire, the company works with an extensive network of cooperatives and suppliers to source traceable cocoa and support smallholder farmers through training, sustainability and livelihood programs. SUCDEN is currently implementing a USD 126 million cocoa value-chain financing facility, in which ACFM participates as a co-financier. The ACFM facility supports cocoa aggregation, pre-financing, and exports while improving cooperatives’ access to finance, equipment, and warehousing facilities.

FirstRand Bank Limited (FRB) is one of South Africa’s leading financial institutions, with an established track record in financing MSMEs, agricultural businesses and underserved communities. Through its First National Bank network, FRB provides tailored financial services to small enterprises, emerging farmers and women-owned businesses across the country.

ACFM participates as a co-financing partner in FRB’s USD 300 million inclusive finance operation, which includes dedicated concessional funding for women-owned small enterprises in the agriculture sector.

KENAFF (Kenya National Farmers’ Federation) is Kenya’s leading farmer federation, representing over 1.2 million smallholders across 45 counties. It champions policy advocacy, capacity-building, and climate-smart practices. As a partner to the Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism (ACFM), KENAFF delivers technical assistance to implement digital solutions in Kenya, boosting financial access for cooperatives and strengthening rural livelihoods.

AquaSun is a Cape Verde-based company specializing in integrated aquaculture and solar energy solutions to bolster coastal livelihoods and sustainable resource management. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, AquaSun advances inclusive economic growth by partnering with local communities and investors. Currently, AquaSun is working with the Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism (ACFM) and the Bank on a project preparation technical assistance, positioning future investments for climate-smart aquaculture and renewable energy infrastructure that support local agri-SMEs.

Export Trading Group (ETG) is a leading African agricultural supply chain manager, sourcing, processing and distributing key commodities across global markets. With a robust network connecting smallholder farmers and cooperatives, ETG supports inclusive growth by strengthening market access and agricultural value chains. ETG is currently implementing a USD 605 million financing facility, in which ACFM participates as a co-financier. ETG also receives technical assistance through the SoilRe5 Project to promote regenerative agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Mastercard is a strategic partner of the ACFM through the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, an initiative aimed at expanding digital and financial inclusion across the continent. As part of this collaboration, Mastercard is supporting the Kenya National Farmers' Federation (KENAFF) Technical Assistance project, which will onboard 100 farmer cooperatives and 250,000 farmers—51% of them women—onto its Farm Pass platform. This initiative enhances access to finance, strengthens market linkages, and improves transaction transparency. The project, approved in September 2024, is implemented in partnership with Microsoft, Equity Bank, and Heifer International, reinforcing financial inclusion and local economic growth. As a founding co-chair of the MADE Alliance, Mastercard is committed to registering 15 million users onto its Community Pass platform within five years, facilitating scalable digital solutions for underserved communities.

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) is a national development finance institution that expands access to medium- and long-term finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through a broad network of participating financial institutions, including commercial banks, microfinance banks and leasing companies. DBN supports underserved businesses across Nigeria, with a strong focus on women, youth, rural enterprises and priority sectors such as agriculture, clean energy, manufacturing and services.

ACFM participates as a co-financing partner in USD 61 million DBN’s gender-focused financing package, with concessional funding dedicated to agricultural SMEs and climate-smart agriculture. Through DBN’s network of participating financial institutions, the operation is expected to expand access to affordable finance, strengthen women’s economic participation and support more resilient and sustainable agricultural value chains across Nigeria.