Overview
The Lending for African Farmers Company (LAFCo) provides working capital financing to agricultural SMEs and farmer cooperatives operating in staple food crop value chains. Its mission is to strengthen food systems by supporting businesses that work directly with smallholder farmers and face constrained access to capital.
Who Can Borrow
Eligible borrowers include:
- Agro‑dealers & input providers
- Processors
- Traders, distributors, exporters
- Logistics providers (e.g., warehouses)
- Other agricultural businesses across the value chain
Value Chains Supported
LAFCo finances SMEs engaged in domestic and intra‑Africa trade across:
- Cereals, pulses, nuts, root crops
- Fruit & vegetable horticulture
- Oilseeds for edible oil or animal feed
- Animal feed
- Dairy
- Poultry & livestock
Smallholder Farmer Involvement
Borrowers must demonstrate clear benefits to smallholder farmers (cultivating less than 10 hectares) by:
- Sourcing crops or animals directly from farmers.
- Selling productivity‑enhancing inputs to them.
Borrower Size
Primarily serving SMEs defined by IFC standards:
- Gross assets < USD $15 million
- Annual turnover < USD $15 million
- Fewer than 300 employees
Larger corporates may qualify if they meet LAFCo’s social and environmental standards.
Compliance Requirements
Borrowers must:
- Have at least two years of operations and audited financial statements.
- Be a legal entity offering creditor protection.
- Demonstrate ability to responsibly service loans.
- Comply with national laws, industry regulations, and licensing.
- Adhere to IFC Exclusions List.
- Meet local environmental, social, labor, health, and safety standards.
- Follow LAFCo’s anti‑money laundering and anti‑corruption policies (zero tolerance for bribery).
📩 Concerns can be reported to LAFCo’s Integrity Officer: contact@barakfund.com
Target Countries
LAFCo currently lends in:
- West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Togo
- East Africa: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda
- Central Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo
- Southern Africa: Zambia
Future expansion includes Burundi, Cameroon, Madagascar, Malawi, and Sierra Leone.
How to Apply
Interested SMEs and cooperatives can request a loan through the LAFCo portal. Applications must include audited financials, proof of registration, and evidence of smallholder farmer engagement.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri‑web. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official LAFCo portal for complete details and verified application instructions.
To apply for this job please visit www.lendingforafricanfarming.com.