The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is seeking proposals for grant financing and local support, from African enterprises, cooperatives, and producer groups with innovative solutions that extend their own capabilities to increase revenues, create jobs, improve farmer incomes, and achieve sustainable market-based growth.

The USADF is an independent U.S. Government agency established by Congress to support African-owned enterprises which improve lives in poor and vulnerable communities in Africa. USADF’s foreign assistance in Africa is an investment in local economic development for peace and security today and prosperous U.S. trading partners tomorrow.

Grant Information

Maximum award US $250,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals will only be accepted from registered agricultural cooperatives, small-scale producer groups, and agricultural processors working directly in the sectors and countries listed below.
• USADF will only consider proposals from 100% African-owned enterprises, associations or cooperatives operating in the specified country sectors. Applicants must be legally registered in their country, with a with a proven ability to track, manage, and use internal and external resources to achieve growth.
• The majority of USADF’s funding agreements range between $100,000 and $250,000. USADF does not provide funding to government agencies, political parties, or organizations that are not based in Africa.
• Organization Requirements:
  • The organization must be 100% African-owned and managed by country nationals.
  • The organization must be a legally registered African entity (or in the process of becoming legally registered. Registration must be completed before any funding may be provided).
  • The organization must demonstrate that it has successfully worked together and has the capability to effectively use grants funds..
  • The ownership and management must be in agreement on the problem to be addressed and have a commitment to benefit their community.
  • The organization must have basic functional management and controls to account for USADF funds.

Selection Criteria

Successful proposals must:

• Have a clearly defined market opportunity to grow revenues that can increase farmer incomes.
• Have a clearly defined plan of how they can increase revenues and farmer incomes in 2- 4 years.
• Be able to make significant cash or in-kind contributions toward making the project successful.
• Be able to impact hundreds of farmers.
• Be able to identify additional financing options available after the USADF grant ends.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the copy of the completed application form and a copy of the registration document via email at the address given on the website.

Eligible Countries & Sectors:

Benin (Maize, Cassava, Cashew, Shea Nuts), Burkina Faso (Onion, Sesame, Rice, Cashew), Burundi(Coffee, Palm Oil, Rice), DRC (Coffee, Maize, Rice), Guinea (Palm Oil, Shea, Textiles), Kenya (Horticulture, Livestock, Dairy, Fish), Liberia (Rice, Cassava, Horticulture), Malawi (Rice, Legumes, Sunflower), Mali  (Cereals (Millet, Sorghum, Rice, Maize), Horticulture, Livestock) , Mauritania (Livestock, Horticulture, Forestry Products), Niger (Irrigated Horticulture, Livestock, Rice), Nigeria (Sorghum, Rice, Cassava, Aquaculture), Rwanda (Coffee, Tea, Maize, Rice), Senegal (Rice, Horticulture, Tree Crops, Millet), South Sudan (Cassava, Sesame, Groundnuts, Horticulture), Tanzania (Coffee, Horticulture, Cereals), Uganda (Coffee, Maize, Rice, Cassava), Zambia (Sunflower, Dairy, Rice), Zimbabwe (Horticulture, Fruits, Grains).

For more information, please visit USADF Grant.