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MULTI-DONOR
AGRICULTURE FAST TRACK FUND
ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Submitted by the AFT Coordination Unit
Agriculture and Agro-industry Department
African Development Bank
to
USAID, Sida & DANIDA
January 2018
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Table of Contents Page
Cover page. .............................................................................................................................. i.
Table of Contents. .................................................................................................................... ii.
Acronyms and Abbreviations. ................................................................................................. iv
List of Tables and Figures. ...................................................................................................... v
List of Figures. ......................................................................................................................... vi
Executive Summary. ................................................................................................................ vii
1. Introduction. ........................................................................................................................ 1
2. Fund Governance and 2017 Annual Work Programme and Budget.................................... 1
2.1. Fund Governance. ……………………………………………………............................ 1
2.2. 2017 Annual Work Programme and Budget (AWP&B). ................................................. 2
3. Grants Disbursements and Implementation Status. ............................................................. 2
3.1. Total approved Grants. ..................................................................................................... 2
3.2. Grant implementation, disbursement and status and performance rates........................... 2
4. Highlight of Other Issues and Milestones of 2017. ………………………………………. 3
4.1. AFT 2017 Annual Work Programme and Budget finalized and approval. ...................... 3
4.2. Signing of Letters of Agreement (LoA) for the batch II Grants completed. .................... 3
4.3 Terms of reference for Batch II studies drafted, reviewed and approved. ........................ 3
4.4 Procurement activities were facilitated.............................................................................. 3
4.5 Monitoring and Supervision activities conducted. ............................................................ 3
4.6 Meeting between AFT CU and AFT Donors and Grantees held. ..................................... 4
4.7 Recruitment of Website Development Master on Short-term Consultancy. ..................... 4
4.8 Calls for CNs, Invitation for FTAs and Grant Awards for 2017. ...................................... 4
4.9 First AFT Lessons Learned Workshop organized. …………............................................ 5
4.9.1. Workshop Mission Objective. …………………........................................................... 5
4.9.2. Attendance and Outcome. …………............................................................................. 5
4.10 Leveraging of financing by Grantees. ............................................................................. 6
5. Implementation Status of Batch I & Batch II Grants. ……................................................. 6
5.1. Update on Batch I Grants. ................................................................................................ 6
5.1.1. Disbursement status. ...................................................................................................... 6
5.1.2. FENASCOVICI (Cote d’Ivoire). ................................................................................... 7
5.1.3. Société Ivoirienne de Production Animales (SIPRA), Cote d’Ivoire............................. 7
5.1.4. Association Wend Panga du Sanmatenga (Burkina Faso). ……................................... 8
5.1.5. African Bamboo Company Plc (Ethiopia). ………........................................................ 8
5.1.6. Practical Care Agribusiness (Ghana).............................................................................. 8
5.1.7. ECOFARM (Mozambique). .......................................................................................... 8
5.1.8. ODEBRECHT Project Avicola (Mozambique). ........................................................... 9
5.1.9. TANGA Fresh (Tanzania). ............................................................................................ 9
5.2. Active Batch II AFT Grant Projects. ................................................................................ 9
5.2.1. Akate Farms & Trading Company Limited (Ghana). ……………................................ 9
5.2.2. OLAM Tanzania limited. …………………….............................................................. 9
5.2.3. Mokk Investment Limited (Nigeria). ............................................................................. 10
5.2.4. Mgolole Agro Processing Company Limited, Tanzania. .............................................. 10
5.2.5. Muvek Development Solutions limited (Tanzania). ….................................................. 11
5.2.6. Riftcot Limited (Tanzania)............................................................................................. 11
5.2.7. AMYA Agro Plus Limited (Ghana). ............................................................................. 12
5.2.8. Mulualem Farm Enterprise (Ethiopia)............................................................................ 12
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Table of Contents cont. Page
5.2.9. Frostan Group of Companies (Tanzania). ..................................................................... 12
5.2.10. Samri Mixed Farm (Ethiopia). ………………............................................................. 13
5.2.11. Norish Business Plc (Ethiopia). ………....................................................................... 13
6. Human Resources Management. ………............................................................................. 14
6.1. Contribution of the Bank to AFT Personnel Costs. ……….............................................. 14
6.2. AFT Coordination. ……………………………………………………………………… 14
7. Highlight of Key Lessons Learned. ………......................................................................... 14
8. Highlight of Challenges. ………………………………...................................................... 15
9. Highlight of Next Steps and Future Activities. ................................................................... 15
9.1. Signing of Letters of Agreement. ..................................................................................... 15
9.2. Launching of newly approved grant projects. .................................................................. 15
9.3. Tracking Grantees' ability to leverage funding. ………………………………………... 16
9.4. Phase I “Sunset Plan” and Exit Strategy.” ……………………………………………… 16
9.5. Evaluation/Audit of AFT operations and activities since its inception. ………………... 16
9.6. “Sensitization and awareness-creation Mission. ……………………………………….. 16
9.7. Technical support for the new Grantees. ……………………………………………….. 16
9.8. Monitoring and evaluation. ……………………………………………………………... 16
9.9. Fresh Calls for CNs and FTAs in 2018. ………………………………………………... 16
9.10. Reporting Deliverables. ……………………………………………………………….. 16
10. Conclusion. ........................................................................................................................ 17
Appendix I. Details of grants approved by the AFT’s TRC (Batch 1), 2013/2014. ………… 18
Appendix II: Details of grant approvals by the AFT’s TRC (Batch II), 2016. ………......... 19
Appendix III: Details of grants approved by the AFT’s TRC (Batch III), November 2017. .. 20
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Acronyms and Abbreviations AfDB : African Development Bank
AFT : Agriculture Fast Track Fund
AHAI : Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department
AWP&B : Annual Work Programme and Budget
CIAT : International Center for Tropical Agriculture
CNs : Concept Notes
CU : Coordination Unit (AFT Coordination Unit)
CQS : Consultants’ Qualifications Selection
DACON : Database of Consultants
DANIDA : Danish International Development Agency
DFIs : Development Finance Institutions
ESIA : Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
FIFC : Financial Control and Financial Management Department (of AfDB)
FIRM : Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Department (of AfDB)
FTAs : Full Technical Applications
LoA : Letter of Agreement
MDAs : Ministries Departments and Agencies
M&E : Monitoring and Evaluation
MSMEs : Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
OC : Oversight Committee
OG : Operational Guidelines
ORPC : Operations and Policy Department (of AfDB)
PGCL : General Counsel and Legal Services Department (of AfDB)
PISD : Private Sector Department (of AfDB)
PCR : Project Completion Report
PP : Procurement Plan
RMCs : Regional Member Countries
Sida : Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
SMEs : Small and Medium-scale Enterprises
SNFI : Fiduciary and Financial Management, Inspection and Procurement
Department (of AfDB)
TOR : Terms of Reference
TRC : Technical Review Committee
USA : United States of America
USAID : United States Agency for International Development
VAT : Value-added Tax
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List of Tables Titles Page
Table 1. Grant status and disbursement rates 2
Table 2: The 2017 Meetings of AFT CU and AFT Donors (USAID, Sida & DANIDA) 4
Table 3: Updated table on Fund leveraging following the AFT Grant 6
Table 4. Analysis of disbursements by Batches I & II projects 7
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List of Figures Titles Page
Figure 1: Activity value-chain at SIPRA 7
Figure 2: Vegetable value chain at Association Wend Panga 8
Figure 3: OLAM Tanzania cocoa value-chain 10
Figure 4: Mokk Investments works on cassava value chain in Nigeria 10
Figure 5. Mgolole Agro-processing, Tanzania specializes in livestock production and
processing
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Figure 6. AMYA Agro Plus produces, processes and markets cassava products in Ghana 12
Figure 7: Frostan Tanzania: Specialist in the processing, preservation and marketing of
livestock products
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Executive Summary The Agriculture Fast Track Fund (AFT) is sustaining its support for the agribusiness
micro-, small- and medium- enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa through award of grants to
offset expenses for project preparation activities, mostly in the form of basic pre-takeoff
studies. The latitude has continued to expand alongside the level of awareness and
interest from prospective applicants in the eligible countries.
As at the end of the year 2017, the number of approved implemented and running projects
stood at 32, representing an increase of 60% over the number in December 2016. Also,
the Dollar value of approved projects rose by 51% from US$6,118,964.00 to
US$9,213,249.00 during the same period. The disbursement rates were 88% and 12% for
the first-tier and second-tier projects respectively at end of December 2017. On finance
leveraging, seven of the AFT-supported projects with a US$3.05 million grant outlay
reportedly received financing to the tune of over US$70.2 million, reflecting a 1:23
leveraging ratio for the concerned Grantees. The AFT Coordinating Unit (AFT CU) is
intensifying its efforts at ensuring tracking data on leveraging of financing by its
Grantees, especially those that have completed implementation of their projects.
The specific key activities embarked upon during the 2017 project year include:
finalization and approval of the 2017 Annual Work Program and Budget (AWP & B),
signing of letters of Agreement for the second-tier approved grants, facilitating the
development and approval of terms of reference (ToR) for all approved studies, and
beefing-up the new grantees’ procurement capabilities, through one-on-one interactions
and use of formal working sessions. Others are updating the AFT website
(www.aftfund.org), meetings with the AFT Donors, the Technical Review Committee
(TRC) and AFT Grantees, and, as determined by need. Also carried out were monitoring
and reporting activities (including data tracking on grant implementation performances,
invoices and disbursements, and kick-starting baseline survey to collect and document
data on the new grantees’ parent projects). Likewise, the AFT CU successfully placed
Calls for Concept Notes (CNs) and Full Technical Applications (FTAs), summarily
evaluated the applicants’ proposal submissions, and effectively made recommendations to
the TRC for grant awards.
Another major event that happened during the year is the successful convoking of the first
AFT Lessons Learned Workshop organized in Tanzania from 6-8 December 2017.
Among the workshop’s outcomes on the key lessons came in the form of
recommendation of the need to: (i) communicate AFT’s achievements through use of
appropriate channels, including the social media platforms; (ii) improve interaction
among grantees with similar project design and objectives; (iii) increase the youth
involvement in agriculture and agribusinesses through enhanced awareness; (iv) evolve
ways of integrating other eligible member countries into the AFT activities; and (vi)
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provide opportunity for clearer understanding of what is expected from grantees through
pre-sharing of the samples of the working documents at each stage of the implementation
process.
Part of the identified implementation challenges is the constraints of time, resources and
logistics that work against the proposal to conduct project launching in the different
eligible countries and boost publicity. Another challenge is the failure or outright refusal
of some Grantees to adhere strictly to design and use of procurement plan to facilitate
their procurement process and shorten the length of time spent with the procurement
process. For the 2018, the AFT CU has lined up some set of activities that include:
preparation and signing of the Letters of Agreements (LoA) for the newly-approved
Batch III grants, project launching, and perfection of the “Sun-set Plan”/”Exit Strategy”
for AFT Phase 1. In addition, the CU will carry out sensitization cum awareness-creation
mission to the disadvantaged eligible countries, and also facilitate the recruitment of
professional consultants who will evaluate AFT for operational effectiveness and
performance since inception. In the same vein, the AFT CU will launch fresh Calls and
continue to work assiduously to ensure that all approved projects are delivered within the
shortest possible time, through instilling efficiency in its operations, procurement, M&E,
and administrative responsibilities. To assist the grantees to identify available sources of
financing for their planned investment, AFT CU will establish a “database” of available
financing opportunities and financial institutions in the countries in which AFT grantees
operate.
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1. Introduction
1.1. Since its inception in May 2013, the Agriculture Fast Track Fund (AFT) has
sustained its effort at supporting the development of agribusiness micro-, small- and
medium- enterprises (MSMEs) through award of grants. The AFT grants are aimed at
funding the “upstream activities including, but not limited to project design, feasibility
studies, market research, financial modeling, business plan development, legal and
regulatory prerequisites requirements, environmental and social impact studies, and other
activities necessary to help them raise financing. This is on the understanding that if not
defrayed and mitigated the “costs and risks” associated with this set of activities are very
high that “commercial developers” are either not ready or willing” to take them up alone.
1.2. To date, AFT has had three (3) Batches of grant approvals that have produced
over 32 projects. The principal beneficiaries are the private sector MSMEs, Farmers’
Cooperatives and Associations, competitively selected among continuously-increasing
list of applicants that respond to AFT’s regular calls for concept notes (CNs) and follow-
up invitations to submit full technical applications (FTAs). These private sector Grantees,
which cut across different crops and value chains in the eligible Africa countries, 1
received approval for award of AFT grants based on the strength and perceived high-
quality proposals they submitted. This underscores the confidence it has in the private
sector as the nodule of socio-economic growth and development of Africa.” Nevertheless,
other potential beneficiaries of the AFT grant, including government agriculture and rural
development ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) designing agriculture
infrastructure projects are yet to benefit from the facility. Although somewhat worrisome,
this development, perhaps, has resulted from the strict adherence to emphasis on project-
quality in the selection process.
1.3. In this document, the progress report of the operational and project
implementation activities of AFT for the 2017 work program year are presented. The
report is expected to serve as reference document to the AFT Oversight Committee (OC)
and Donors and also assist the AFT Grantees, prospective applicants, and relevant
stakeholders within and outside Bank on their dealings with AFT.
2. Fund Governance and 2017 Annual Work
Program and Budget
2.1. Fund Governance. The AFT Technical Review Committee (TRC) and the
Oversight Committee (OC) govern the Fund and its activities. Their functions are well-
defined in the AFT Operational Guidelines (OG). The membership of the TRC is
constituted by representatives of different Departments of the Bank whose operations are
one way or another relevant to the AFT activities. These include the Agriculture and
Agro-industry Department (AHAI), Financial Control and Financial Management (FIFC),
Resource Mobilization and Partnerships (FIRM), General Counsel and Legal Services
1 Ten (10) AfDB regional member countries (RMCs) of Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania are eligible to apply for the AFT
Grant.
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(PGCL), Private Sector Development (PISD), Fiduciary and Financial Management,
Inspection and Procurement (SNFI), Operations and Policy Department (ORPC), and the
Departments of the Bank. The Director of the AHAI is the Chairperson of the AFT TRC.
The in-person meeting of the AFT TRC held on 30 November 2017 to take decision on
projects recommended to it by the AFT CU. The meeting gave approval to 12 AFT Batch
III grant projects. Also as determined by need the members of the TRC and OC held
audio/conference meetings, Skype and telephone calls among themselves, to take
appropriate fund governance decisions on AFT.
2.2. 2017 Annual Work Program and Budget (AWP&B). This is the document that
defined the budget and all proposed activities for the project year 2017. The 2017
AWP&B was approved by the AFT Oversight Committee (OC) at the beginning of the
year (January 2017) to guide the AFT activities.
3. Grant Disbursements and Implementation
Status
3.1. Total approved grants.
The value of all grants stood at nine million two hundred thirteen thousand two hundred
forty-nine United States dollars (US$9,213,249.00) as at 31st December 2017 (Table 1).
The figure comprised of approvals of US$3,094,285.00 for Batch III projects,
US$2,312,286.00 for Batch II projects and US$3,806,678.00 being part of Batch I
projects, but excludes the total grant value of US$1,695,500.00 for 4 Batch I projects
cancelled in 2016.
Table 1: Grants status and disbursement rate Year of
approval
Batch Approved
grants (US$)
Not
implementa
ble grants
(US$)*
Implementable
grants (US$)
Disbursement
as @ 31/12/2017
(US$)
Disbursement
rate (%)
2013/14 Batch 1 5,502,178.00 1,695,500.00 3,806,678.00 3,365,365.82 88.41
2016 Batch 2 2,312,286.00 0.00 2,312,286.00 273,920.00 11.85
2017 Batch 3 3,094,285.00 0.00 3,094,285.00 0.00 0.00
Total 10,908,749.00 1,695,500.00 9,213,249.00 3,639,285.82 39.50
*The “not implementable” are grants cancelled for different reasons that have led to non-performance.
3.2. Grant implementation, disbursement status and performance rates
The value of disbursements from the Batch 1 grants is three million three hundred sixty-
five thousand three hundred and sixty-five US dollars eighty-two cents (US$3,365,365.82)
which is equivalent to 88% of total implementable approved grants (Appendix II shows
breakdown by projects), US$273,920 or a disbursement rate of 12% for Batch II grants.
The total disbursement for all projects aggregated stood at 40% as at 31 December 2017
(Table 1).
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4. Highlight of Other Issues and Milestones of
2017
The following is an outline of presentation of the key issues and milestones achieved
during the year 2017:
4.1. AFT 2017 Annual Work Program and Budget (AWP & B) finalized and
approved. The harmonization of the 2017 Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP & B)
document was finalized in January 2017and approval was obtained by the AFT Oversight
Committee. The document provides a detailed analysis of the activities slated for
implementation during the year and also their budgetary implications.
4.2. Signing of Letters of Agreement (LoA) for the Batch II Grants completed.
The launching of the Batch II Grants projects was carried out late 2016 making it difficult
for majority of the LoA to be signed by the respective parties. The AFT CU prioritized
the securing of contract signatures in early 2017. Aside from one project titled “Out-
grower Cotton Farming and Ginnery”, approved for implementation in Ethiopia under the
auspices of Rift Valley Product limited, the rest have been signed. The Rift Valley’s
“Out-grower Cotton farming and Ginnery Project” was held up following the “sponsor’s
inability to obtain operating license in Ethiopia, where it was approved for
implementation.
4.3. Terms of reference (ToR) for Batch II studies drafted, reviewed and
approved. To set the stage for speedy grant implementation, the AFT CU worked
assiduously with the Grantees to draft and review the terms of reference (ToR) relating to
all studies for which grants were approved. The review and approvals of all ToR were
completed before the mid February 2017.
4.4. Procurement activities were facilitated. The CU worked unremittingly with the
Grantees to hasten the procurement process for the engagement of Consultants for
approved project preparation studies. Interactions and working sessions were used to beef
up their procurement capabilities and accelerate procurement processes. Competitive
selection methods was emphasized, and the selection of the “best qualified candidate”
using the competition-based Consultants’ Qualifications Selection (CQS) method was
successfully accomplished by majority of the grantees.
4.5. Monitoring and Supervision activities conducted. Among the M&E work
conducted in 2017 were tracking grant implementation performance, activity and
quarterly reports from Grantees, invoices and disbursements and preparing mandatory
reports for the Donors. Also, from 25 October – 4 November 2017, the M&E team visited
some Grantees and project locations in Tanzania for field monitoring and collection of
baseline data on Grantees’ parent projects.
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4.6. Meetings between AFT CU and AFT Donors and Grantees held.
4.6.1. The usual audio/video meetings of the AFT CU and the Donors were held four
times, as determined by need for discussions and updates on grant project implementation
activities (Table 2).
Table 2. The 2017 Meetings of AFT CU and AFT Donors (USAID, Sida & DANIDA)
S/N Date of meeting Ultimate Objective
1 Feb-06, 2017 To discuss the AFT Annual Report 2016 and review the progress of the
AFT activities with new and old Grantees and Action Plan for 2017.
2 Feb-24, 2017 To discuss the draft AFT Annual Work Program and Budget for 2017,
take updates on the AFT Grant implementation and review other issues
concerning AFT.
3 May-24, 2017 To review the outcome and next steps on the AFT Call for Concept Notes
(CNs) that took place from 2-16 May 2017 and take updates on the
implementation of the existing AFT projects.
4 Dec-11, 2017 To take necessary updates and review outcomes of most recent events
carried out by the AFT CU, including Calls for Concept Notes (CN) and
Full Technical Applications (FTAs), the “Lessons Learned Workshop”
and other AFT grant implementation activities.
4.6.2. Similarly, the CU held in-person and audio meetings (including “working
sessions”) with some Grantees at different occasions in 2017. Most meetings were
necessitated by need to provide clarifications and technical guidance on operational cum
implementation-related issues. The working sessions organized by the Procurement team
were aimed at beefing up the Grantees’ procurement abilities to ensure smooth project
execution. Specifically, the CU met with the Representatives of African Bamboo,
Ethiopia from 6-7 April, 2017 “to present key updates and discuss general issues relating
to budget reallocation/utilization” relating to the Components 1, 2 & 3 of the African
Bamboo Project. The meeting was used by the two parties to resolve all the pending
issues on the project and agreed on strategies that would ensure its speedy completion. An
important outcome of the meeting is that it set in place “strategy and modality” that had
led to a successful completion of the project in September 2017.
4.7. Recruitment of Website Development Master on Short-term Consultancy. A
Website Development Master was engaged to update the AFT website in preparation for
the Calls for CNs and FTAs for 2017. The short-term Consultant worked for 7 months
from 18 April 2017 – 17 November 2017.
4.8. Calls for CNs, Invitation for FTAs and Grant Awards for 2017
4.8.1. The Call for CNs that lasted from 2-16 May 2017 attracted a total of 831 CNs
from grant applicants. The CNs were evaluated by over 40 Experts from different
organizations, including AfDB, other DFIs and academia evaluated the CNs with each
CN graded by 2 experts. After the evaluation, 96 CNs were recommended for the next
stage of the application process – invitation for submission of FTAs – that lasted from 9
August 2017 to 8 September 2017. At the end of the deadline; FTAs were received from
84 applicants out of the 96 (88%). Consequently, 8 independent professional consultants
were engaged to evaluate the FTAs with each FTA to be evaluated by 3 consultants. After
the evaluation and scoring, which was based on the AFT-developed FTAs evaluation
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criteria, 34 applications that met 75 percentile cut-off points were retained for further due
diligence before recommendation to the Technical Review Committee (TRC) for grant
awards. On 30 November 2017, a total of 13 projects out of the 34 were recommended to
the TRC for approval, refusal or clearance for further review of the Oversight Committee.
After thorough discussion, including questions, and request for further clarification on
each project, the TRC approved 12 of the 13 applications, cleared one for the
consideration for approval by the Oversight Committee (i.e. the Donors). There were still
prospects for further recommendation/approval of more projects from the list of 34 after
completion of ongoing due diligence by the AFT CU. The breakdown of the approved
projects shows that Ghana has the highest number of 4, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and
Nigeria have 2 each, while Mozambique, and Malawi has one (1) project.
4.8.2. It follows from the results that Benin Republic and Senegal are two new additions
to eligible AFT countries that have benefitted from the AFT grant awards. In a renewed
drive for awareness creation, the AFT CU has scheduled missions to the countries for
further sensitization of the citizens during the first quarter of 2018.
4.9. First AFT Lessons Learned Workshop organized.
4.9.1. Workshop Mission Objective. The First AFT Lessons Learned Workshop was
held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania from December 6-8, 2017. The purpose of the workshop
was to bring together the AFT stakeholders from all the 10 eligible countries, to review
and document all aspects of the project implementation experiences from the perspectives
of the AFT CU, the Grantees/partners and other stakeholders, and chart the way forward
for the overall success of AFT and the implementation of projects it is funding. The
specific tasks in the workshop program were:
(i) To highlight and discuss the work programme and expected outcome of the
workshop;
(ii) To present an overview of the AFT Grant project and review the
implementation arrangements, including the rules, processes and procedures
associated with the AFT grant;
(iii) To review and discuss key lessons learned (internally from the Operations,
Procurement, M&E general administration, and Website management
perspectives) and externally (from the perspectives of the AFT Grantees and
other stakeholders);
(iv) To take decisions on efficiently and effectively strategies for moving forward.
4.9.2. Attendance and Outcome. The workshop was attended by nine AFT grant
recipients, including the Association WendPanga du Sanmatenga (Burkina Faso),
Fédération Nationales des Sociétés Coopératives de Vivriers de Côte d’Ivoire or
FENASCOVICI (Cote d’Ivoire), Société Ivoirienne de Production Animales or SIPRA
(Cote d’Ivoire), Mokk Investments Limited (Nigeria), and Olam Tanzania Limited
(Tanzania). Others attendees were Akate Farms & Trading Company Limited (Ghana),
Amya Agro Plus Limited (Ghana), Frostran Group of Companies (Tanzania), and
Mgolole Agro Processing Company Limited (Tanzania). The outcomes include the need
to:
(i) showcase the projects’ achievements through adequate communication and to
widen the means of communication to include use of social media platforms,
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WhatsApp, Skype, Twitter, to mobilize resources from the financial
institutions;
(ii) encourage interaction between the different grantees having the same project
design and objectives;
(iii) enhance awareness among the youth to encourage their involvement in
agriculture and agribusinesses;
(iv) find ways of integrating other eligible member countries into AFT activities;
(v) share sample of the documents at each stage, of helps in giving clear
understanding of what is expected;
(vi) ensure improvement of two ways communication at every stage.
An article depicting the outcomes of the First AFT Lessons Learned Workshop is
available at http://intranet3.afdb.org/?q=en/pcer/article/agriculture-fast-track-fund-
organizes-first-lessons-learned-workshop-tanzania.
4.10. Leveraging of financing by Grantees. The financing-leveraging power of AFT
increased substantially during 2017 if feedbacks received from the Grantees during the
First AFT “Lessons Learned Workshop” was taken as guide. Based on statistics received
from 7 AFT-supported projects, Table 3 reveals a leveraging ratio of 1:23, meaning that
each US$1 grant to the seven projects have been able to attract US$23 in financing
(equity/debt).
Table 3: Updated table on Fund leveraging following the AFT Grant
S/N Country & AFT Grantee AFT Grant
(US$)
Total Amount Leveraged
(US$)
Leveraging
Ratio
1 Ghana: Eden Tree 335,000.00 928,715.00 1:30
2 Mozambique: Ecofarms 797,500.00 20,700,000.00 1:26
3 Tanzania: Tanga Fresh 150,500.00 5,800,000.00 1:39
4 Ethiopia: African Bamboo 748,988.00 33,170,000.00 1:44
5 Cote d’Ivoire: SIPRA 710,000.00 9,031,827.00 1:13
6 Burkina Faso: WEND PENGA 177,000.00 252,891.17 1:1.43
7 Ghana: AMYA Agro Plus 140,000.00 403,334.00 1:30
Total 3,058,988.00 70,286,767.17 1:23
5. Implementation Status of Batch I & Batch II
Grants 5.1. Update on Batch I Grants.
5.1.1. Disbursement status. The implementation of all Batch I grant projects has been
completed, but the project completion report is ongoing for majority of the projects. The
disbursement rate is about 88% for all grants, under Batch I, and 12% for Batch II
projects. The analysis by specific projects is presented in Table 4. The briefs on each
project are presented in the following sub-sections.
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Table 4. Analysis of disbursements by Batches I & II projects Category Country Project name Amount (US$) Disbursement
rate Approval Disbursement
Batch I Burkina Faso Association WENDPANGA 177,200.00 167,342.93 94.4
Cote d'Ivoire SIPRRA – Cattle and poultry Feed Processing
Plant
710,000.00 575,615.38 81.1
Cote d'Ivoire FENACOVICI-Support to Food Production and
Food Security Program
551,990.00 468,423.82 84.9
Ethiopia African Bamboo Company – Integrated Supply
Chain for Bamboo Based Floor Board Business
748,988.00 684,620.55 91.4
Ghana Practical Care Agribusiness – Soybean
production and marketing
115,000.00 104,837.00 91.2
Mozambique ODEBRECHT- Integrated Poultry Production,
Processing and Distribution
555,500.00 492,199.75 88.6
Mozambique ECOFARM Mozambique – Establishment of
the sugar cane estate and the sugar processing plant
797,500.00 731,211.94 91.7
Tanzania Tanga Fresh UHT Tanzania Ltd – Expansion of
Fresh Milk Processing Plant in Tanga
150,500.00 140,396.67 93.3
Batch II Ghana Akate Farms Limited 180,000.00 13,500.00 7.5
Tanzania Frostran Group of Companies 361,000.00 96,400.00 26.7
Tanzania Mgolole Agroprocessing Co 250,000.00 56,000.00 22.4
Nigeria Mokk Investments Limited 281,000.00 108,020.00 38.4
Grand total 5,950,678.00 3,912,488.04 65.7
5.1.2. FENASCOVICI (Cote d’Ivoire). The grant project “Support to Food Production
and Food Security Program” was approved for the Fédération Nationales des Sociétés
Coopératives de Vivriers de Côte d’Ivoire (FENASCOVICI) for three key project
components: environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), feasibility study, and
business plan. All components of the project have been successfully accomplished. The
Grantee is still struggling to get desired financing for its parent project. During the recent
AFT Lessons Learned Workshop in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, the stakeholders observed
after listening to FENASCOVICI presentation that the entirety of its package was
admirable, but somewhat “too broad” and would require a lot of capital to accomplish. In
its present form it might be very difficult to get a financial institution agreeing to pick it
up, necessitating the suggestion to FENASCOVICI to consider disaggregating the entire
package into “distinct modules” each of which could be attractive to financiers to pick up.
5.1.3. Société Ivoirienne de Production Animales (SIPRA), Cote d’Ivoire. SIPRA
was created in 1976 and operates in all poultry industry value chain, ranging from the
production of day-old chicks to rearing of
broilers, pullets and production of eggs.
The company also produces livestock and
poultry feed for chicken, hog, beef and
dairy cattle, rabbit, fish etc. (Figure 1).
SIPRA based in Cote d’Ivoire received
approval for the project “Cattle and
Poultry Feed Processing Plant.” The grant
project had 3 key components: (a)
feasibility study, (b) detailed technical
production and storage facility study, and
(c) business plan and financial structuring.
All project components had been
successfully and effectively completed
and payments made to the Service
Providers. Following the successful execution of the AFT grant, SIPRA is recently
Figure 1: Activity value-chain at SIPRA
8
reported to have leveraged financing to the tune of about US$9.03 million for carrying
out its parent project.
5.1.4. Association Wend Panga du Sanmatenga (Burkina Faso). Wend Panga in
Burkina Faso is farmers’ cooperative with 27 groups and about 980 members. The group,
which had been in existence since 2007 produces onions, tomatoes, cabbages, peppers
and other vegetable products (Figure 2). Wend Penga received approval for AFT Grant
totalling US$ 177,000 in support of its grant project “Production of fruits and vegetables,
Burkina Faso” with 3 basic components, namely social and economic impact assessment
(EIA), detailed business plan, and marketing/communications plan. All preparatory
activities have been duly completed. Also, the project completion report (PCR) has been
completed and submitted to the bank. The Grantee is has already leveraged financing in
the region of US$ 0.25 million in support of its parent project.
5.1.5. African Bamboo Company Plc (Ethiopia). In Ethiopia, African Bamboo
Company received approval for the grant project “Integrated Supply Chain for Bamboo-
Based Floor Board Business.” The project has 4 key components. Some of the
components have been completed while few others are at various stages of completion.
This project has been successfully completed.
5.1.6. Practical Care Agribusiness (Ghana). A grant project titled ‘Support production,
post-harvest and marketing of soybean produced by smallholder farmers” was approved
for Practical Care Agribusiness, Ghana. The initially assumed 3 components of the grant
– business & financial plan, environmental impact assessment, and marketing
research/plan – were merged as one “Feasibility study,” which was carried out by one
consultant. The study is completed and submitted while the Project completion report
(PCR) assignment is still ongoing.
5.1.7. ECOFARM (Mozambique). ECOFARM based in Mozambique received
approved grant for its project “Expansion of Sugarcane Production Estate.” All the six
project activities have been duly completed. The PCR is in progress. ECFARM had raised
Figure 2. Vegetable value chain at Association Wend Panga
9
initial financing for the first project phase of commercial milling. It is being supported by
Norsad Finance Ltd, Banco Unico, AgDevCo, Rademan Janse van Rensburg, Wouter
Rosingh and Han Derksen under the milling project.
5.1.8. ODEBRECHT Project Avicola (Mozambique). Approval was given for the
grant project “Creation of Poultry Production, Processing and Distribution Plant”
sponsored by ODEBRECHT Project Avicola, Mozambique. The originally-defined 4
components – Business, financial & marketing plan, environmental impact assessment,
legal and financial advice, and agricultural project planning – were later merged as one
“Feasibility study” to be undertaken by one Consultant. Presently, all the project
preparatory activities have been completed.
5.1.9. TANGA Fresh (Tanzania). The “Expansion of Fresh Milk Processing Plant in
Tanga” was approved for Tanga Fresh, Tanzania. As at present, all project activities have
been completed and grant funds fully disbursed. Tanga Fresh has made some remarkable
progress in the area of securing financing for the construction of its UHT Milk plant.
5.2. Active Batch II AFT Grant Projects. The following are briefs and updates on
each of the 11 Batch II projects.
5.2.1. Akate Farms & Trading Company Limited (Ghana). In Ghana, AFT is
funding the Akate Farms & Trading Company Limited for (a) (partnership) feasibility
study for a poultry processing plant; (b) marketing plan for engaging the broiler out-
growers to assist in driving the project; and (c) environmental and social impact
assessment (ESIA) in respect of the poultry and abattoir activities. A grant totalling
US$250,000 was approved by the TRC on 27 July 2016 for the project titled "Rebuilding
Ghana's Domestic Broiler Industry." The AFT CU has successfully guided the Grant
Recipient to develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for all studies, as well as through the
entire stages of the procurement process. The project is among those launched in
November 2016. It is operationally active and undergoing implementation.
5.2.2. OLAM Tanzania limited. OLAM is a multilateral agribusiness institution that
has since 1998 been operating in the Kyela District, the main cocoa-growing region in
Tanzania. It has developed a network of about 8,500 smallholder farmers in the area
(Figure 3). Its support for farmers comes in the areas of “buying” their cocoa produce,
“supporting certification,” “unlocking premiums,” offering “training on good agriculture
Practices’ and “post-harvesting handling,” and “digitalisation of the cocoa “supply chain”
in the area. In November 2016, OLAM Tanzania was awarded AFT grant to embark on
the following key preparation activities (a) Feasibility Studies (Technical, Financial and
Market) in respect of preparatory activities for the proposed cocoa plantation; and (b)
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The AFT CU has successfully
guided the Grant Recipient to develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for all studies, as
well as through the entire stages of the procurement process. The Grant is active and
procurement process on the side of the Grantee is in progress. The consulting firm
(Southern Mapping Company – South Africa) that will carry out the assignment was
selected using the Consultants’ Qualifications Selection (CQS) method.
10
5.2.3. Mokk Investment Limited (Nigeria). In Nigeria, Mokk Investments Limited is
working on cassava production, processing and value-addition (Figure 4). AFT is funding
the Grantee under the project “Industrial processing facility for processing of cassava
roots into high quality bread flour and starch in Nigeria.” The company received approval
of AFT grant amounting to US$281,000 on 27 July 2016 to carry out feasibility studies
(technical, financial and market) and environmental and social impact assessment. The
project is operationally active at the final stage of its implementation.
Figure 4. Mokk Investments works on cassava value chain in Nigeria
5.2.4. Mgolole Agro Processing Company Limited, Tanzania. This project is located
at Plot No. 1, Msanvu, Morogoro, a city about 300 km away from Dar-es-Salaam,
Tanzania. The parent project is into the production, processing and marketing of livestock
and dairy products (Figure 5). It also specializes in the farming, processing and marketing
of different species of local and hybrid grasses for livestock feeding. According to
Figure 3. OLAM Tanzania cocoa value-chain Source: Olam Strategic Report 2016, page 43
11
Professor Martin Shem, the Managing Director of Mgolole Agro-processing Company,
the available stock of grasses available in Mgolole farms include Chrolis Gayana (Rhodes
grass), Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel grass or African foxtail grass), Baracharia brizantha
(signal grass), and Cultivar Mulato II (Brachiaria hybrid CIAT 36087), hybrid
between Brachiaria ruziziensis clone 44-6 and Brachiaria brizantha CIAT 6297.
Figure 5. Mgolole Agro-processing, Tanzania specializes in livestock production and processing
The AFT Grant was approved for: (a) preparation of feasibility – technical, financial and
market – studies, and (b) design of engineering irrigation system for Mgolole Agro-
processing under the project: “Production and Marketing of Quality Meat in Tanzania.”
The Grantee received approved of grant award to the tune of US$150,000 on 14
September 2016. The studies are at their completion stages.
5.2.5. Muvek Development Solutions limited (Tanzania). In Tanzania, Muvek DS
Limited, received AFT project preparation grant facility of
US$100,000 approved on 27 July 2016 in support of the company’s
“Commercialization of Indigenous Poultry” project. AFT is funding
the feasibility studies (technical, financial, and market, and an
environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA)). The AFT CU
has successfully guided the Grant Recipient to develop the Terms of
Reference (ToR) for all studies. The grant project is and Grantee is focused on successful
implementation.
5.2.6. Riftcot Limited (Tanzania). Riftcot Ltd, a Tanzania-based agribusiness SME got
approval of AFT grant to the tune of US$160,000 on 27 July 2016. The grant is in support
of its project titled “Network of Grain Silos and Warehouse.” The approval is for funding
12
of three key preparation activities: (a) Feasibility Studies; (b) Financial Evaluation, Legal,
Regulatory and Tax Due Diligence; and (c) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
(ESIA). The project is active and the implementation is at an advanced stage.
5.2.7. AMYA Agro Plus Limited (Ghana). In Ghana AFT is funding studies to support
AMYA Agro Plus Limited in its three key cassava value chain activities of production,
processing and marketing. To this end, a grant award to the tune of US$140,000 was
approved for the organization on 27 July 2016 to fund two key project preparation studies
(a) Feasibility Studies (Technical, financial, and market); and Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment (ESIA). The AFT CU has successfully guided the Grant Recipient to
develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for all studies, as well as through the entire stages
of the procurement process. Project is active and at the final stage of implementation.
Figure 6. AMYA Agro Plus produces, processes and markets cassava products in Ghana
5.2.8. Mulualem Farm Enterprise (Ethiopia). In Ethiopia, AFT is supporting
Mulualem Farm Enterprise to fund studies unde the project “Mulualem Farm Enterprise
Tomato processing Plant.” A grant amount of US$187,286 was approved for the
company on 14 September 2016. The approval of AFT grant was for the funding of the
two (2) key project preparation activities: a) feasibility study for an integrated poultry
processing plant (technical, financial and market); and b) environmental and social
impact assessment (ESIA). The project is active and implementation is progressing well.
5.2.9. Frostan Group of Companies (Tanzania). Frostran Group of Companies,
Tanzania, is a company that specializes in the processing, preservation and marketing of
livestock and poultry products, including meat of different types. The SME’s strength lies
in its efficient provision and management of temperature-controlled processing and
distribution facilities. The organization located in Mikocheni, a suburb area of Dar-es-
Salaam, became a beneficiary of AFT grant to the tune of US$361,000 approved on 27
July 2016. The company’s grant request is for its project titled “Agriculture Value Chain -
13
Livestock and Meat in Tanzania. The AFT Grant was approved for funding of the
projects key preparatory set of studies: Feasibility studies (Technical, Financial, and
Marketing, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)). AFT team
worked with the Grantee to develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the set of studies.
Project is active and at the final stage of implementation.
Figure 7: Frostan Tanzania:
Specialist in processing, preservation & marketing of livestock products
5.2.10. Samri Mixed Farm (Ethiopia). Also working in Ethiopia, Samri Mixed Farm
received an AFT grant of US$148,000 approved on 12 July 2016 for the project titled
“Market Plan of Potato Seed and Dried Whole Potato.” The grant is for funding of two (2)
basic project preparatory activities: (a) Feasibility Studies (Technical, Financial and
Market) for potato drying and packaging facility; and (b) Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment (ESIA). The AFT CU has successfully guided the Grant Recipient to
develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for all studies, as well as through the entire stages
of the procurement process. Project is active and implementation is progressing well.
5.2.11. Norish Business Plc (Ethiopia). On 14 September 2016, the Norish Business Plc
Ethiopia received approval for use of AFT resources to the tune of US$120,000 for some
preparation studies relating to the project titled “Expansion of Supplementary Food
Processing Plant.” The AFT grant is to be used to funded 2 key studies: a) feasibility
study for supplementary food-processing facility (technical, financial & marketing), and
(b) agriculture supply chain analysis. The AFT CU has successfully guided the Grantee to
develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the studies. The project is active and ongoing
implementation is progressing well.
FROSTAN GROUP
14
6. Human Resources Management
6.1. Contribution of the Bank to AFT Personnel Costs. The Bank’s contribution to
AFT personnel costs, like salaries, allowances and benefits, was sustained in 2017. As
usual, various divisions of the Bank like Legal, Fiduciary, Risk Mobilization and External
Finance, Private Sector, and Financial Control Departments maintained their involvement
in the Fund's activities. Also, the Sector and Operations experts in Field Offices assisted
with Portfolio Management.
6.2. AFT Coordination. The AFT CU is a member of the AHAI of AfDB while the
Coordinator was deployed from the AHAI Directorate and works under the AHAI
Director. The Oversight Coordinator of AFT, a Lead Agricultural Economist and Expert,
is also a member of the AHAI Directorate. The activities embarked upon by the AFT CU
in 2017 were within the orbit of the 2017 Annual Work Program and Budget (AWP&B),
approved by the Oversight Committee (OC) at the inception of the year. The work
program and activities of the AFT CU were executed by its key workforce comprising of
the AFT Coordinator, Experts in Operations, Procurement and Monitoring and Evaluation
and Data Analysis, and Operations Assistant assigned to AFT from the AHAI
Directorate. Also, AFT CU engaged the services of a Website Development Master on
short-term consultancy that lasted from 18 April – 17 November 2017 to update the AFT
website preparatory to the Calls for CNs and FTAs.
7. Highlight of Key Lessons Learned
The following are among the key lessons learned, especially following from the First
AFT Lessons learned Workshop held in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania in December 2017:
7.1. The need for pre-informing the potential grant applicants about the key
requirements of the grant implementation, including procurement processes and
procedures, time input, etc., will be helpful get them prepared for it. Giving some detailed
insight at the application stage into what will be expected of the Grantee during grant
implementations would substantially assist the prospective Grantees in making decision
on whether or not to apply.
7.2. The growing interests in the AFT grant were further demonstrated by the number
of responses received to the call for CNs launched from 2-16 May 2017. Over 830
applicants submitted CNs with representation recorded from all eligible countries,
although all could not receive approval for at least one project after invitation for
submission and evaluation of FTAs. This supports the earlier claim that “Strict emphasis
on competition has…continued to make it increasingly difficult for all countries and
zones to benefit from the AFT grant” (AFT 2016 Annual Report, paragraph 5.4, page 13).
7.3. Need to activate and update the AFT social media platforms – including twitter &
Facebook – and other communication channels, like AFT Newsletter, website, and
Database of Consultants (DACON), for effective communication of AFT operations.
15
7.4. Establishing a “database” of available financing opportunities and financial
institutions in the operating locations of AFT grantees and posting the information on the
AFT website would assist AFT Grantees to identify available financing openings to
which they could sell their proposed business ideas.
7.5. With respect to operations, especially disbursement, it has been noted that the
Grantees will help to facilitate the disbursement process if they take their time to review
all documents originating from the Consultants – including ascertaining correctness of the
Bank details and ensuring that value-added tax (VAT) is not included in the Invoice –
before submitting payment requests to the Bank.
7.6. Even though both the public and private sector operators are eligible to request for
the AFT grant facility, receiving the grant approval has been difficult for the public
sector. Partly responsible for this is that, perhaps the “Grant Application” process and
“Evaluation Criteria” are much more inclined towards the private sector than the public
sector. The CU will work out ways of ensuring that public sector projects benefit from the
grant opportunity.
8. Highlight of Challenges
8.1. Some of the documents, including documents relating to procurement and
contracts preparation are bulky and imposing difficulty for loading into the AFT website,
especially when pictures are associated. The CU is intensifying efforts to ameliorate this
difficulty.
8.2. Constraints imposed by time, resources and logistics have made impossible the
previous plan to embark on the launching of projects in different eligible countries and in
so doing restrain adequate publicity of AFT.
8.3. The failure/refusal of some Grantees to develop and adhere strictly to use of
Procurement Plans (PP) to facilitate their procurement process has contributed to
prolonged length of time they spend in the process.
9. Highlight of Next Steps and Future Activities
The following are highlights of the next steps and some future planned activities for 2017.
9.1. Signing of Letters of Agreement. Preparation and signing of Letters of
Agreement for the Batch III approved grants. The AFT CU will work with the Legal
Department of the Bank to actualize this task as soon as possible.
9.2. Launching of newly approved grant projects. Project Launching will be
conducted for all newly-approved Batch III grant awards. In the Quarter 1 of 2018.
16
Project Launching is a key activity that should precede the commencement of grant
implementation for any new phase of the AFT project. The AFT CU will work on the
modalities/strategies for the project launching.
9.3. Tracking Grantees' ability to leverage funding. The AFT CU will continue to
monitor and present updates based on old Grantees efforts to leverage financing for their
parent projects. Through the setting up of its proposed “database” of available financing
opportunities, the AFT CU intends to be of immense assistance to the Grantee in that
regard.
9.4. Phase 1 “Sunset Plan” and “Exit Strategy.” The Phase 1 of AFT is coming to
an end by 31 March 2018. A “Sunset Plan” and “Exit Strategy” has been initiated by the
AFT CU for discussion with the AFT Donors. The AFT CU will follow up with the AFT
Donors to ensure that the “Sunset” Plan’ is finalized before the end of the Project in
Quarter 1 of 2018.
9.5. Evaluation/Audit of AFT operations and activities since its inception. AFT
CU will facilitate the procurement of a Consultant for this assignment. Among other
things, the review will take a comprehensive inventory of the grant projects funded over
the past four (4) years and focus on performance-based measures to ascertain the
contribution of the AFT to the development efforts of the grantees (agribusiness SMEs)
and the beneficiary countries. The AFT CU has developed a draft terms of reference
(ToR) for the task.
9.6. “Sensitization and awareness-creation Mission. A mission aimed at
“sensitization/ awareness creation” to the eligible countries that hitherto have not
benefitted from the AFT facility has been scheduled for Quarter 1 of 2018. It will be an
opportunity to create some enlightenment about AFT procedures and requirements for
grant requests.
9.7. Technical support for the new Grantees. The AFT’s procurement unit will
continue to provide regular technical support aimed at building the grantees' procurement
capacity. In this regard, the use of “working sessions,” which had worked in the
immediate past would continue. Regular meetings and interactions on telephone, email
exchange, audio/video calls, Skype/Whaspp call, etc. will continue to be held.
9.8. Monitoring and evaluation. M&E and other project supervision activities will be
conducted during the year. Some of the activities may involve field visits to project
locations. Also, baseline surveys of new set of grantees and case study of old grantees
would be resumed during the year.
9.9. Fresh Calls for CNs and FTAs in 2018. The AFT CU will launch fresh Calls for
CNs and FTAs in the second and third quarters of 2018. It will also continue to work
assiduously to ensure that all approved projects are delivered within the shortest possible
time by instilling high levels of efficiency in its operation units.
9.10. Reporting Deliverables. Reporting of the Fund's activities will continue will be
carried out as appropriate. The 2017 Annual Report should be ready by the first week of
February 2018 while the Bi-annual Report for 2018 should be prepared and made ready
before the end of July 2018.
17
10. Conclusion
The year witnessed a substantial progress in grant project implementation across the AFT
project locations. The disbursement rate of the Batch I grants stood at 78% with the
shortfall consisting mainly of the disbursements for the project completion report (PCR)
deliverables that are still ongoing. The Batch I projects have been fully implemented
while good progress is being made with the Batch II grants. The Call for CNs attracted
overwhelming response with over 800 applications revealing the increasing popularity of
AFT. The first AFT lessons learned workshop was organized in Tanzania in December
2017 to review and document all aspects of the grant implementation experiences and
chart the way forward for the overall realization of AFT. Among other things, the
workshop underscored the need to activate and update the AFT social media platforms
and communication channels for effective communication of AFT operations, as well as
establish a “database” of available financing opportunities and financial institutions in the
operating locations of AFT grantees. It is expected that this will be of immense assistance
to grantees in identifying available financing options to sell their business designs. The
upcoming action plans for the first quarter of 2018 include the preparation and signing of
the Letters of Agreements (LoA) for the Batch III grants, launching of the newly-
approved projects and perfection of the “Sun-set Plan” or ”Exit Strategy” for Phase 1 of
AFT expected to end in 31 March 2018.
18
Appendix I: Details of grants approved by the AFT’s TRC (Batch 1), 2013/2014 S/N Grant no. Company/Organization Project name Country Amount
(US$)
Approval
Date
Remark
1 G-CI-A00-
ZZZ-001 FENACOVICI Support to Food Production and Food
Security Program
Cote d’Ivoire 551,990.00 Oct-17-2013 Completed
2 G-CI-A00-
STY-001 SIPRRA Cattle and poultry Feed Processing
Plant
Cote d’Ivoire 710,000.00 Jan-10-2014 Completed
3 G-BF-A00-
ZZZ-001 WENDPANGA Production of fruits and vegetables Burkina Faso 177,200.00 Dec-22-2014 Completed
4 G-ET-A00-
STY-001 AFRICA BAMBOO
COMPANY
Integrated Supply Chain for Bamboo
Based Floor Board Business
Ethiopia 748,988.00 Jan-10-2014 Completed
5 G-GH-A00-
ZZZ-001 PRACTICAL CARE
AGRIBUSINESS
Support production, Post-harvest and
marketing of soybean produced by
smallholder farmers
Ghana 115,000.00 Dec-22-2014 Completed
6 G-MZ-A00-
ZZZ-002 ECOFARM Expansion of Sugarcane Production
estate
Mozambique 797,500.00 May-27-2014 Completed
7 G-MZ-A00-ZZZ-001
ODEBRECHT PROJ.
AVICOLA
Creation of Poultry Production,
Processing and Distribution Plant
Mozambique 555,500.00 May-27-2014 Completed
8 G-TZ-A00-
ZZZ-001 TANGA FRESH Expansion of Fresh Milk Processing
Plant in Tanga
Tanzania 150,500.00 May-27-2014 Completed
TOTAL 3,806,678.00
19
Appendix II: Details of grant approvals by the AFT’s TRC (Batch II), 2016
S/N Grant
no.
Company/Organization Project name Country Amount
(US$)
Approval
Date
Bank Sign Grantee Sign
Remark
1 # 781 Akate Farms & Trading
Company Limited, Ghana
Rebuilding Ghana Domestic
Broiler Industry
Ghana 250,000.00 27-Jul-16 26-Nov-16 26-Nov-16 Active
2 # 791 Norish Business Plc: Expansion of Supplementary Food
Processing Plant
Ethiopia 120,000.00 14-Sep-16 N/A N/A Active
3 # 800 Olam Tanzania Limited: Cultivating Tanzania’s Cocoa
Potential
Tanzania 215,000.00 27-Jul-16 6-Dec-16 6-Dec-16 Active
4 # 802 Mgolole Agro Processing
Company Limited,
Tanzania
Production and Marketing of
Quality Meat in Tanzania
Tanzania 150,000.00 14-Sep-16 1-Dec-16 1-Dec-16 Active
5 # 811 Amya Agro Plus Limited,
Ghana
Expansion of cassava production,
processing diverse products for
local and West African markets
Ghana 140,000.00 27-Jul-16 28-Nov-16 28-Nov-16 Active
6 # 820 Muvek Development
Solutions Limited:
Commercialization of Indigenous
Poultry
Tanzania 100,000.00 27-Jul-16 6-Dec-16 6-Dec-16 Active
7 # 844 Mokk Investments
Limited, Nigeria
Industrial processing facility for
processing of cassava roots into
high quality bread flour and starch
in Nigeria
Nigeria 281,000.00 27-Jul-16 29-Nov-16 29-Nov-16 Active
8 # 872 Riftcot Ltd. Network of Grain Silos and
Warehouse
Tanzania 160,000.00 27-Jul-16 6-Dec-16 6-Dec-16 Active
9 # 893 Mulualem Farm
Enterprise, Ethiopia:
Mulualem Farm Enterprise Tomato
processing Plant
Ethiopia 187,286.00 14-Sep-16 2-Jun-17 2-Jun-17 Active
10 # 914 Samri Mixed Farm,
Ethiopia
Market Plan of Potato Seed and
Dried Whole Potato
Ethiopia 148,000.00 27-Jul-16 8-Dec-16 8-Dec-16 Active
11 # 918 Frostran Group of
Companies, Tanzania
Agriculture Value Chain -
Livestock and Meat in Tanzania
Tanzania 361,000.00 27-Jul-16 6-Dec-16 6-Dec-16 Active
12 Rift Vally Products Ltd Cotton Firming & Ginnery Ethiopia 200,000.00 Not signed
TOTAL 2,312,286.00
20
Appendix III: Details of grants approved by the AFT’s TRC (Batch III), November 2017 S/N Grant
no.
Company/Organization Project name Country Amount
(US$)
Approval
Date
Bank Sign
Grantee Sign
Remark
1 # 4367 Serious Shea - Shea Butter Eco-
Processing Co., Burkina Faso
Shea Butter Eco- Processing
Centers
Burkina Faso 485,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
2 # 4381 Newland Mills Ltd. - Nigeria Rice Processing &
Cultivation with an
Outgrower Scheme
Nigeria 230,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
3 # 4389 Africa Agricultural Development
Company (AgDevCo) -
Mozambique
Catandica Irrigation Mozambique 407,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
4 # 4409 Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited -
Ghana
Processing of Cassava Ghana 110,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
5 # 4415 Faggy Investment, Malawi Meat Processing Plant Malawi 110,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
6 # 4421 Paragon Agri Seeds, Ghana Seed Multiplication &
Smallholder Program
Ghana 195,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
7 # 4422 HAE Spice and Baltina Plc.,
Ethiopia
Organic and Fair Trade Red
Pepper & Tropical Spices
Ethiopia 195,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
8 # 4428 Premium Foods limited (PFL),
Ghana
Processing of Cassava Ghana 310,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
9 # 4429 Ethiopia Zebad General Export
Import Plc., Ethiopia
ZEBAD Ethiopia 175,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
10 # 4456 Société d'exploitation des Produits
Agricoles (SODEPAL), Burkina
Faso
Cereals infant flour Burkina Faso 160,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
11 # 4376 IWAD Ghana Limited, Ghana Savannah Commercial
Irrigation and Smallholder
Development
Ghana 470,000.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Active
12 # 4448 Globus Resources Limited* Integrated Poultry Expansion
Project (Broiler Production
and Outgrowing Program)
Nigeria 247,285.00 30-Nov-17 NA NA Further due
diligence
recommended
TOTAL 3,094,285.00