Developing and Expanding Community Enterprises Creating Pathways to Prosperity for Underserved Communities in Africa The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent U.S. government agency established by Congress to invest in African grassroots organizations, entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises. USADF’s investments promote local economic development by increasing incomes, revenues and jobs. Utilizing a community-led development approach, USADF provides seed capital and local project management assistance to African-owned and led enterprises addressing some of Africa’s biggest challenges around food insecurity, insufficient energy access, and unemployment, particularly among women and youth. Over the last five years, throughout Africa, with an emphasis on the Horn, Sahel and Great Lakes regions, USADF has invested more than $115 million dollars directly into over 1000 African-owned and operated entities and impacted over four million lives.

Last 10 Years* of Impact Investing in Growing Increasing Building 96 251K Communities Enterprises Incomes Capacity Enterprises People Impacted INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES Challenge: The women of Association Karite Benin (AKB) were unable to produce quality shea $13.5 almonds, thereby impacting the ​Association’s sales and revenue. Million Action: USADF invested US$227,000 in AKB to construct 15 warehouses with the capacity to store 1500 tons of shea almonds and provide managerial, marketing, and commercialization capacity *FY 2010 to FY 2019 building training to AKB management. Results: With USADF’s investment, AKB improved the quality of its shea almonds and retail prices threefold, increased commercialized volume of shea almonds to 1200 tons and storage capacity to 1500 tons, and enabled 7,900 women to improve their incomes. GROWING ENTERPRISES Challenge: Union Régionale des Coopératives de Producteurs d’Anacarde du ZOU-COLLINES (URCPAZC) had limited revenue from its cashew production due to a lack of storage infrastructure and high financing cost. Action: USADF invested US$228,161 in URCPAZC to provide equipment capital, local project management, infrastructure support, and business advisory assistance to improve operations. Results: With USADF’s investment, URCPAZC increased raw nut yields from 200 kg to 350Kg. The lives of cooperative members have also improved significantly, with many buying new reliable transport, solar panels for their homes, and paying their children’s school fees. INCREASING INCOMES Challenge: Before USADF’s investment, the maize farmers from Union des Coopératives des Producteurs de Maïs de Nikki, was unable to access profitable markets in Nigeria due to the low quality of their maize. Dogbo-Tota Action: USADF invested US$236,357 in the Cooperative to improve the quality and quantity of Porto-Novo maize production and enhance its ability to access new markets. Mairie de Kpomassè Results: With USADF’s investment, the Cooperative increased the volume of maize marketed to 500 tons and market price by 60 percent. The Cooperative was able to obtain customary detention certificates to secure land and improve the ability to get micro-credits. BUILDING CAPACITY Challenge: The Union Communale des Coopératives Transformatrices de Manioc de Toviklin (UCCFTM) lacked access to new profitable markets due to limited resources and marketing pactices. Action: USADF invested US$232,245 in UCCFTM to construct nine modern production workshops, improve transportation capacity, and strengthen the management and leadership capacity. Results: With USADF’s investment, UCCFTM increased its profit margin from US$6.59 to $US19.77 USADF.gov per 100Kg bag, translating to a marked improvement in the lives of members with many buying motorcycles, paying school fees and starting other businesses. USADF Benin Investments in 2019

USADF invests directly in African community enterprises providing grant capital and local technical support to early stage businesses.

AGRIBUSINESS Coopérative Villageoise des Union Communale des Producteurs Producteurs de Maïs de N’Dali d’Anacarde (UCCPA) de Tchaourou Association Karite Benin (AKB) $180,696 • 3 years $227,077 • 3 years $227,000 • 3 years • Maize • Cashew • Shea Coopérative Villageoise des Union Communale des Transformatrices Association Mialébouni Transformatrices de Manioc de Manioc en Gari de Ouèssè $241,506 • 3 years de Suru-badu de Zongo $227,077 • 3 years • Cassava $95,145 • 2 years • Cassava • Cassava Coopérative Communale des Union des Coopératives des Producteurs Producteurs de Maïs Mihalodo de Etablissement ZIKORA de Maïs de Nikki $245,298 • 3 years $221,552 • 2 years $236,357 • 3 years • Maize • Shea butter Processing • Maize Coopérative de Transformation du GF Gbenonkpo-Ayidékon de Kadébou Union Régionale des Coopératives de Manioc en Gari Gbenondjou $102,253 • 2 years Producteurs d’Anacarde d’Adjahonmè, Klouékanmey • Cassava de l’Atacora Donga $98,922 • 2 years $228,161 • 3 years • Cassava Groupement Féminin Djouwanou de • Cashew Sewahoue- de Lalo Cooperative de Transformation de $99,909 • 2 years Union Régionale des Producteurs Manioc en ses dérivés SONAGNON • Cassava d’Anacarde COOP-CA de l’Ouémé et $233,120 • 3 years du Plateau (URPA/OP) • Cassava Union Communale des Coopératives des $243,472 • 3 years Femmes Transformatrices de Manioc en • Cashew Coopérative des Femmes Gari et ses dérivée de Transformatrices de Manioc en gari et $249,776 • 3 years Union Régionale des Producteurs ses dérivés de Savalou-Est • Cassava d’Anacarde des Départements $233,409 • 3 years du Borgou et de l’Alibori • Cassava Union Communale des Coopératives de $225,344 • 3 years Producteurs d’Anacarde de • Cashew Cooperative des Transformateurs de $221,552 • 3 years manioc Gbenondjou • Cashew Union Régionale des Producteurs d’Edou-N’Gbégnonhoué d’Anacarde des Départements $246,444 • 3 years Union Communale des Coopératives de du Zou et des Collines • Cassava Producteurs de maïs de Kérou $265,480 • 3 years $91,871 • 2 years • Cashew Coopérative GVTM WANGNINAN • Maize de Dangban $96,604 • 2 years Union Communale des Coopératives • Cassava Transformatrices de Manioc (UCCTM) ENTREPRENEURSHIP de Toviklin Bouraima Raoudath Coopérative IYAKOTAN d’Agnangnan $232,245 • 3 years $15,000 • 1 year $97,991 • 2 years • Cassava • Agriculture • Cassava

USADF’s Local Implementing USADF in Benin: Partner Organization: Country Program Coordinator Action pour la Promotion des Initiatives Eric Newman USADF.gov Communautaires (Association for the [email protected] Promotion of Community Initiatives) www.apic-ong.org