Making Markets Work for the Poor
Sub Saharan Africa

This is our main investment objective in which we anticipate spending 75% of our overall fund. We will initially be targeting Tanzania and Uganda but will add one or two additional Sub Saharan Africa countries over time.

We believe from looking carefully at the experience of others that our most effective approach will be based on analysing the value chain in a range of potential growth industry sectors, looking to unblock key constraints from the front end production through the processing, distribution and eventually to the market and the customer.

WFT will be working with local partners and in particular the local private sector on our value chain studies to try and facilitate economic development and employment.  We know we will only effect change by helping local people and communities to help themselves and achieve this in a way that is consistent with their culture and way of life.  Money cannot buy the vision but the effective application of careful business and market analysis and support by quality minds, effective delivery partners and local entrepreneurs will, we believe, create sustainable change.

The Trust will be careful not to distort markets or just focus on short term impact – its our firm intention to support the local private sector and related organisations to catalyse longer term systemic change.

The investment programme will be run from our Kenyan Office and will be delivered on an invitation to bid basis or through negotiated partnerships with carefully selected organisations and enterprises. Our support will be provided through a blend of grant, loan, equity and capacity support depending on the identified constraint.