AFRACA

The African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) is a leading pan-African network of financial and non-financial institutions promoting access to rural and agricultural finance.

Since 2020, Small Foundation has supported AFRACA to develop its network strategy and activities, aiming to deepen its member engagement and strengthen its knowledge management strategic pillar. This includes support for the member-led initiative the AFRACA Impact Task Force (AITF), which is exploring how financial institutions might better align around quantifying and reporting on the impact of their agricultural and rural finance activities.

In response to an AFRACA member survey in 2021:

• 80% of the respondents said the purpose of the network is clear to them
• 75% said AFRACA is making progress towards its purpose
• 77% believe their leadership team values their participation in the network activities

Our partnership and learning

“Introduction to the network approach by Small Foundation was a key precursor to the shift in mindset required to help our new strategic thinking and direction. AFRACA’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 reflects the shift we needed to take it to the next level.

Through this we have started to quantify the ‘invisible work’ that would previously go unnoticed, such as facilitating and coordinating linkages between members and partners. We have also introduced new categories of members, with new players such as fintechs, agritechs, agri-SMEs and edtechs. Through support from Small Foundation, AFRACA has a knowledge management officer on board responsible for much of our visibility gains and current knowledge dissemination efforts.

Through these developments, our partnership engagements have considerably increased, gradually enhancing AFRACA’s reputation as the preferred knowledge-broker on matters of rural and agricultural finance in Africa.”

–The African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association