The Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) will support capacity building for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) invested in by the African Agriculture Fund (AAF) through its SME Fund, improve linkages between smallholder outgrowers and the companies invested in by the AAF and enhance rural financing opportunities in areas where AAF invests.
TAF was created to support AAF, a private equity fund, managed by Phatisa, to address food security challenges across the African continent. The purpose of this facility is to provide technical assistance to agri and food related businesses that receive investment through the AAF, allowing them to create new opportunities for smallholder farmers, farmer business groups and rural communities.
The TAF is funded primarily by the European Commission and managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). It is also co-sponsored by the Italian Development Corporation, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
TechnoServe was appointed in October 2011 by IFAD to implement this facility. TechnoServe is a US headquartered not-for-profit organisation with over 40 years of experience catalysing private-sector led inclusive economic growth in Africa.
