The ACFM is a Special Fund established under the African Development Bank to support Agri-SMEs in Africa. It aims to de-risk investments and catalyze private sector financing towards Agri-SMEs. The ACFM focuses on gender-sensitive and climate resilient Agri-SMEs across Africa including fragile states.

The ACFM mirrors the Bank's private sector operations, meaning that projects must be integrated into the Bank's pipeline to be considered for co-financing. Financing is available through the Investment Facility (IF) and the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF). The IF provides loans to eligible commercial banks, micro-finance institutions, impact funds, and agribusinesses, while the TAF offers grants for capacity building to its intermediaries and Agri-SMEs, project preparation to ensure high-quality Bank operations, and knowledge generation and dissemination. Interested entities should contact the ACFM Coordination Unit for application details.

The ACFM is managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through its Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department (AHFR). The AHFR hosts the ACFM Coordination Unit (CU), which oversees the fund’s operations, monitoring, and reporting.

Yes, the ACFM is structured as a multi-donor fund. While it was initially capitalized solely by Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), it is open to future contributions from other donors, by signing a letter of contribution outlining their adherence to the existing Fund's scope and objectives.

The ACFM provides concessional loans to intermediaries, such as commercial banks, microfinance institutions, impact funds, and agribusinesses, to extend financing to Agri-SMEs. Additionally, the ACFM offers capacity-building support to its intermediaries and Agri-SMEs, project preparation to ensure high-quality operations in line with the Bank's standards, and knowledge generation and dissemination activities to promote best practices within the agricultural sector.

The ACFM operations systematically implement gender equality considerations. All projects must meet the globally endorsed "2X Challenge" criteria to promote gender-smart financing. Technical assistance activities are also designed using a gender lens to ensure women's empowerment across the agri-food value chain.

The ACFM adheres to the African Development Bank's operational safeguards, including comprehensive environmental and social standards. These safeguards ensure that projects funded by the ACFM promote sustainable practices, mitigate potential negative impacts, and respect social norms and local communities. Environmental assessments, social impact evaluations, and risk management frameworks are part of the project appraisal process, ensuring that funded activities align with ethical standards and sustainability goals.

The ACFM is set to operate for 20 years from its Effective Date. This period can be extended or shortened based on agreements between the Bank, DFATD, or the ACFM Governing Council.

The ACFM Coordination Unit closely monitors the program’s impact using a Results Famework that includes indicators for financial inclusion, gender empowerment, climate resilience, and market development. Annual reports and evaluations ensure transparency and guide future programming.

Interested stakeholders, including financial institutions, agribusinesses, and development organizations, can collaborate with the ACFM by participating in its programs, providing expertise, or exploring co-financing opportunities. To explore collaboration, contact the ACFM Coordination Unit within the Bank’s Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department.