The Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) Food Security Accelerator is a strategic programme designed to unlock investment for climate-adaptive and nature-positive food systems across Africa. Implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in partnership with the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) and Sustainable Solutions for Africa (SSA), the programme focuses on strengthening African investment ecosystems while accelerating financing for sustainable agrifood businesses.

Running from 2023 to 2028, the programme supports investments in climate-resilient food system solutions across emerging and frontier markets in Africa.

Through blended finance instruments, financial advisory and technical assistance, the Accelerator supports African investment funds and private sector enterprises working to improve food security, strengthen climate adaptation and promote sustainable land use.

Unlocking investment for climate-adaptive food systems in Africa

Food systems across Africa face increasing pressures from climate change, land degradation and limited access to finance. Many climate-adaptive agrifood solutions remain underfunded due to high investment risks, limited market intelligence and insufficient financial structures capable of mobilizing capital at scale.

The AAI Food Security Accelerator aims to address these barriers by strengthening the enabling environment for investment and deploying catalytic finance to support African-led food system innovation.

Key interventions

The AAI Food Security Accelerator focuses on three complementary outcomes designed to strengthen African food systems and mobilize investment for climate-adaptive solutions.

First, the programme strengthens the enabling environment for investment in climate-adaptive food systems. This includes developing market intelligence, investment frameworks and strategic networks that help identify high-quality nature-positive enterprises and connect African innovators with capital. It also supports the development of environmental and social strategies to ensure that investments contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Second, the Accelerator supports direct investments in climate-resilient food system enterprises. Through catalytic capital , the programme invests in businesses that promote sustainable agriculture, reduce pressure on natural ecosystems and create green jobs while strengthening climate adaptation across African food systems. The companies currently in the investment pipeline were selected through a competitive Request for Applications (RFA), which has now successfully closed.

Third, the programme advances locally led investment ecosystems by strengthening the capacity and impact of African investment funds in driving food systems transformation and innovation. By deploying concessional and risk-sharing capital, the Accelerator helps de-risk investment portfolios and mobilize additional financing from development finance institutions and private investors, enabling greater flows of capital toward climate-adaptive food system innovation.

Our partners

The AAI Food Security Accelerator is implemented in partnership with the Africa Adaptation Initiative and Sustainable Solutions for Africa, with financial support from the United States Department of State and the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Contact us

For questions about the AAI programme, partnerships or investment opportunities, please contact: wcac.region@uncdf.org.