Green Climate Fund Approves $132 Million Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II to Support 19.9 Million Smallholder Farmers Across Africa
Green Climate Fund Approves $132 Million Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II to Support 19.9 Million Smallholder Farmers Across Africa. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II (ARAF II), a US$132 million climate finance programme aimed at strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers across Africa. The initiative will support innovative climate-smart agriculture businesses, improve food security, and help millions of farmers adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.
Approved by the GCF Board on 24 October 2024, the programme officially entered the implementation phase in July 2026 and is expected to run until July 2038. It is one of the Green Climate Fund’s major private-sector investments focused on climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture.
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About the Green Climate Fund
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the world’s largest dedicated climate finance institution. Established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Fund supports developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while building resilience against climate change.
Through grants, loans, equity investments, and guarantees, the GCF finances projects that promote sustainable development, climate adaptation, renewable energy, resilient agriculture, water security, and ecosystem conservation.
About the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II (ARAF II)
The Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II (ARAF II) is an adaptation-focused blended finance investment fund managed by Acumen Fund, Inc. It builds on the success of the first Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund and is designed to expand climate adaptation financing for agriculture across Africa.
The programme recognizes that smallholder farmers cultivate nearly 80% of Africa’s farmland but face increasing threats from rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, irregular rainfall, poor market access, and limited access to agricultural inputs.
ARAF II seeks to strengthen agricultural resilience by investing in innovative businesses that provide practical climate adaptation solutions for farming communities.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve climate resilience among smallholder farmers.
- Increase agricultural productivity.
- Strengthen food security across participating countries.
- Expand access to climate adaptation finance.
- Support innovative climate-smart agricultural technologies.
- Promote sustainable agricultural value chains.
- Increase investment in climate-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Integrate gender-responsive approaches into agricultural development.
Funding Structure
The total programme value is US$132 million, consisting of both Green Climate Fund financing and private sector co-financing.
Green Climate Fund Contribution
The GCF will provide:
- US$30 million in equity investment
- US$4 million in grant financing
Total GCF financing: US$34 million
Co-financing
Additional funding includes:
- US$90 million in equity investment
- US$8 million in grant financing
Total co-financing: US$98 million
Together, these investments create a US$132 million blended finance facility that will accelerate climate adaptation across Africa.
Technical Assistance Facility
In addition to investment capital, the programme includes a US$12 million Technical Assistance Facility, supported by the GCF.
The facility will help:
- Strengthen investee companies.
- Improve climate resilience planning.
- Support business development.
- Enhance impact measurement.
- Promote gender equality.
- Build technical capacity among participating businesses and farming communities.
Who Will Benefit?
The programme is expected to benefit approximately 19.9 million people throughout Africa.
Primary beneficiaries include:
- Smallholder farmers
- Rural households
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Early-stage climate technology companies
- Agribusiness startups
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Women entrepreneurs
- Climate adaptation innovators
Countries Covered
The project will initially support investments across several African countries, including:
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Egypt
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Uganda
Additional investments may expand to other eligible markets as the programme grows.
Investment Focus
Rather than providing direct grants to individual farmers, ARAF II invests in companies developing innovative agricultural solutions.
These businesses may provide:
- Climate-smart farming technologies
- Improved seed systems
- Irrigation solutions
- Digital agriculture platforms
- Weather information services
- Sustainable agricultural inputs
- Financial services for farmers
- Supply chain innovations
- Agricultural advisory services
By strengthening these enterprises, the programme creates long-term resilience across agricultural value chains.
Expected Impact
The programme is expected to generate significant development outcomes, including:
- Improved livelihoods for rural communities.
- Enhanced food and water security.
- Increased resilience to droughts and climate shocks.
- Greater adoption of climate-smart agriculture.
- Expanded access to adaptation finance.
- Stronger agricultural businesses.
- Increased private-sector investment in climate resilience.
- Improved economic opportunities for women and youth.
Project Timeline
The project’s major milestones include:
- Pipeline Entry: August 2023
- GCF Board Approval: October 2024
- Implementation Start: July 2026
- Expected Completion: July 2038
The long implementation period allows the programme to deliver sustainable, long-term impacts across participating countries.
Why This Programme Matters
Climate change continues to pose one of the greatest threats to agriculture across Africa. Smallholder farmers often lack access to financing, technology, insurance, and markets needed to adapt to changing weather patterns.
By combining public climate finance with private investment, the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II demonstrates how blended finance can unlock innovative solutions while supporting sustainable economic growth.
The programme also contributes directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
- Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
- Gender Equality (SDG 5)
- No Poverty (SDG 1)
Final Thoughts
The US$132 million Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II represents a major investment in Africa’s agricultural future. By supporting climate-smart businesses and strengthening the resilience of nearly 20 million smallholder farmers, the initiative will help communities better withstand climate challenges while improving food production and rural livelihoods.
As climate finance continues to expand globally, programmes like ARAF II demonstrate the critical role of innovative investment models in delivering sustainable development and climate resilience across vulnerable regions.
👉 Learn More & Explore the Project: https://www.greenclimate.fund/project/fp252
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Disclaimer
Vacancy Bridge shares verified funding, grants, scholarships, fellowships, jobs, and international opportunities for informational purposes only. Vacancy Bridge is not affiliated with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) or Acumen Fund. For official programme details, visit the Green Climate Fund website.
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