Scaling sustainable aquaculture in Africa with EUR 3 million boost from EU-funded AgriFI
New equity investment in Aqua-Spark Africa aims to invest in 20 high-impact aquaculture ventures, improving livelihoods for more than 31,000 smallholder farmers across the continent.
EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC), through its EU-funded Agriculture Financing Initiative AgriFI, announced today an equity investment of EUR 3 million in Aqua-Spark Africa (“ASA”), a dedicated fund that will invest in sustainable aquaculture across Africa. This strategic investment under the AgriFI ACP Regional Window, supported by the Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), will support the growth of a resilient, sustainable aquaculture industry that contributes to food security, job creation and improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
Aqua-Spark Africa is an open-ended private markets investment fund focussed on sustainable aquaculture that has completed a first close of EUR 42,3 million, with KfW as an anchor investor providing EUR 15 million. The fund aims to build a diversified portfolio of early-stage companies involved in farming operations and scalable value chain solutions that directly or indirectly support small-scale farmers, entrepreneurs and the enabling institutional environment. Over its lifetime, Aqua-Spark Africa is expected to reach more than 31,000 smallholder farmers with improved market access, productivity and livelihoods through its portfolio investments.
“By partnering with Aqua-Spark Africa, we are helping to build a new generation of sustainable aquaculture businesses that can deliver affordable, nutritious food while creating better opportunities for thousands of smallholder farmers,” said Rodrigo Madrazo Garcia de Lomana, CEO of EDFI Management Company. “This investment illustrates how targeted blended finance can open up to strategic impact segments and contribute to more resilient food systems across Africa.”
The AgriFI investment will strengthen Aqua-Spark Africa’s capital base, enabling the fund to crowd in additional private and public investors and to accelerate its deployment into high-potential companies across the aquaculture value chain. By supporting businesses that work with smallholder farmers and local communities, the fund is expected to foster inclusive growth and promote sustainable practices. The investment is aligned with AgriFI’s mandate to unlock, accelerate and leverage sustainable investments into agri‑SMEs in developing countries, with a strong focus on smallholder inclusiveness.
“With the AgriFI commitment, we can scale investments in companies that are transforming aquaculture in Africa, from hatcheries and feed producers to farming operations and cold-chain solutions, while ensuring that small-scale farmers and local communities share in the sector’s growth.” added Ben Gimson, Lead of Aqua-Spark Africa.
About EDFI Management Company and AgriFI
EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) is a multilaterally owned impact asset manager that designs and manages blended finance facilities to mobilise private investment in sustainable development. The company enables European development finance institutions, development banks and private investors to scale up their impact, particularly in markets and sectors that are underserved by commercial finance.
AgriFI, the EU Agriculture Financing Initiative, is an impact investment facility funded by the European Union and managed by EDFI Management Company, with a mandate to unlock, accelerate and leverage sustainable investments in agri‑SMEs in developing countries, with a specific focus on smallholder inclusiveness. The AgriFI ACP Regional Window is a dedicated allocation targeting entities operating in specific agriculture value chains in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, with support from the OACPS Secretariat. For more information visit: www.agrifi.eu and www.edfimc.eu.
About Aqua-Spark Africa
Aqua-Spark Africa is a thematic a open-ended private markets investment fund focussed on sustainable aquaculture in Africa, with a successful first close of EUR 42 million and a long-term ambition to invest $250 million in next 10 years. The fund will invest in early-stage and growing companies across the aquaculture value chain, focusing on farming hubs, input and service providers, processing and distribution, and solutions that integrate smallholder farmers and outgrower schemes. Aqua-Spark Africa aims to contribute to food and nutrition security, decent jobs and climate-resilient value chains by promoting environmental and social best practices in all its investments. For more information visit https://aqua-spark.nl/sfdr/
About Aqua-Spark
Aqua-Spark is the world’s leading investment platform dedicated to building a sustainable aquaculture industry. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Aqua-Spark invests in innovative businesses across the aquaculture value chain, from feed and farming to genetics, health, and technology. The platform takes a long-term approach to backing entrepreneurs and companies working to produce healthy aquatic food while restoring the health of oceans.
