Manufacturing Africa works across six countries

MA is committed to helping transform manufacturing across all sectors in the countries where we operate by helping them in their fund raising efforts. We support a wide range of manufacturing companies – from start ups to established companies – and/or international investors.

We invite manufacturing companies seeking access to capital to get in touch with us for advisory support on investor engagement and technical assistance. We also welcome investors looking for new investment opportunities in the manufacturing sector in Africa to engage us and we will connect you with a range of attractive investments with reduced risk. Please contact us using the contact us form on this website or send an email to info@manufacturingafrica.org

Typical criteria for deal support

  • Direct manufacturing/processing or enabling of manufacturing
  • Typical deal size of above $5 million. We also consider smaller deals if they offer exceptional social impact.
  • Potential for job creation and wider developmental impact, particularly sourcing from local supply chains or using circular economy models
  • Not on the FCDO exclusion list
  • Willingness to go through Manufacturing Africa’s screening and approval process
  • Brownfield or greenfield projects

Priority Areas

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1. Green manufacturing

As part of the UK Government’s commitment to meeting internationally agreed targets on greenhouse gas emissions, climate and biodiversity metrics, Manufacturing Africa prioritises green manufacturing approaches.

We define “green” (or “sustainable”) manufacturing as the development of processes that avoid or minimise negative climate and environmental impact, waste and the use of toxic materials, while conserving energy and natural resources.

2. Global health and vaccine manufacturing

Pharmaceuticals is a strategic sector that has gained even more importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Less than 5% of pharmaceutical products used in Africa are manufactured locally.

Manufacturing Africa works with public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen the enabling environment across regulation, understand demand and supply dynamics, identify barriers and enablers, and facilitate access to finance and expertise to promote local production.

3. Food security and agri-processing

Smallholder farmers make up about 60% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population and agriculture accounts for approximately 23% of its GDP. Manufacturing Africa helps Africa realise its full agricultural potential by supporting companies and governments to transform the sector through value addition.

Examples of such support include an agri-processor in Kenya that procures its milk from local farmers to manufacture yoghurt or a European cosmetic company that is setting up a plant in Rwanda for the manufacture of cosmetic products using locally procured avocado and macadamia as raw materials.

4. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects and sustainability

ESG considerations and sustainability are an essential component of Manufacturing Africa’s development impact strategy. Manufacturing Africa nsures development impact by maximising the economic benefits of investment to those who need it most. It also considers the ESG aspects of each investment and the sustainability of the company’s activities.

Environmental protection and sustainability

Our Climate & Environment (C&E) team identifies and addresses environmental risks in manufacturing operations in the deals we support. The team identifies opportunities for FDI to support climate change mitigation or adaptation and strengthen the sustainability practices of companies and other relevant stakeholders.

We help our beneficiaries to cost-effectively implement as many of the following best practices as possible:

  • Maximise the amount of renewable energy generation (i.e., rooftop solar) and sourcing
  • Prioritise energy- and water-efficient manufacturing processes and minimise greenhouse gas and/or waste generation
  • Develop climate mitigation and adaptation approaches, including carbon offsetting
  • Address any other relevant ESG best practice requirements

Gender and social inclusion

Our gender, economic and social inclusion (GESI) specialists ensure that the FDI we facilitate does not support exploitative practices. We help companies strengthen their safeguarding policies and connect gender-responsive companies with gender-lens investors.

Corporate governance

As part of our due diligence process, we ensure that the support we provide is in line with international best practices and frameworks on corporate governance and does not pose any reputational risk to Manufacturing Africa or the FCDO.