GSC Support Fund Announces Enhanced Commitment to Sustainable Growth in Africa and Emerging Asia at Sankalp Africa Summit 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya
The Global Supply Chain Support Fund, a 220 Million USD fund managed by Aavishkaar Capital (part of the Aavishkaar Group) and supported by KfW and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has enhanced its commitment to supporting enterprises across Africa and Emerging Asia to unlock inclusive and sustainable growth.
This announcement was made at the 13th Edition of the Sankalp Africa Summit 2026 in Nairobi recently on Main Stage, attended by Vineet Rai, Founder, Aavishkaar Group and MD, Aavishkaar Capital, David Ohlig, Portfolio Manager, KfW, Takehiro Yasui – Director General, Private Sector Partnership and Finance Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ashish Patel, Managing Partner, Aavishkaar Capital, Monu Jain, Partner, Aavishkaar Capital, Abhishek Mittal, Partner, Aavishkaar Capital, Sowmya Suryanarayanan, MD-Impact & ESG, Aavishkaar Capital and Darren Lobo, Director, Aavishkaar Capital.
The JICA investment is positioned as a project that contributes to the “Indo-Pacific–Africa Economic Growth Initiative,” which seeks to promote Africa’s regional integration and industrial development. This investment is expected to contribute to the development of sustainable supply chains, enhanced food security, and strengthened industrial foundations in the region, thereby supporting its sustainable economic development.
KfW’s commitment specifically aims to support mid-cap businesses by offering flexible capital to enable them to build global supply chains and expanding export footprint into the EU. The investments reflect KfW’s commitment that purpose-driven capital can catalyze meaningful ESG transformation while unlocking inclusive growth. Their vision supports resilient, ecologically conscious businesses that are ready to meet global standards and thrive in international markets.
To date, the Fund has invested in nine businesses across the region, helping Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) scale sustainably and strengthening Global South’s role in international trade. These investments have supported over 20,000 jobs, 58% of which are held by women, and over 25,000 livelihoods supported across the agriculture, supply chain solutions, and light manufacturing sectors. The Global Supply Chain Fund also meets the 2X Criteria, with over 50% of portfolio companies qualifying under the framework, reinforcing the Fund’s commitment to advancing women’s socio- economic empowerment.
The Fund has already demonstrated significant positive climate impact: Balaji EPZ (Kenya) utilized funding for solar installations generating one megawatt of green energy, recycled over 86,000 cubic meters of wastewater, and processed over 36 tonnes of recycled waste material. AgroStar (India) supported a reduction of over 20 metric tonnes in carbon emissions from agriculture and recycled 7,000 cubic meters of wastewater. Portfolio-wide, in its three years of operation, the Fund has facilitated the recycling of over 2,000 tonnes of waste.
The Fund continues to prove that capital can simultaneously drive social good and business scale. For example, Privamnuts EPZ has doubled its processing capacity to 14 Million Tonnes Per Annum, becoming Kenya’s leading macadamia nut processor and exporter while supporting over 10,000 farmers and 270 jobs in Embu.
The Global Supply Chain Support Fund’s portfolio currently includes nine notable investments, namely Hela Apparel Holdings Plc (Kenya), a sustainability-focused apparel supply chain solutions, Balaji EPZ (Kenya), an Apparel manufacturer for leading global brands, Privamnuts EPZ (Kenya), a Global aggregator and processor of macadamia nuts, Horizon Group Holdings (Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania), a processor of high-value whole spices, Robust International (Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Singapore), a cashew nut processor exporting globally, AgroStar (India), an Agritech provider for fresh produce, Jumps Auto Industries (India), an Automotive components manufacturer exporting to global markets, Midland Bank (Bangladesh), a Financial services, supporting specific apparel manufacturer and Poshs Metals (India), a Steel value-added processor for the automotive industry.
Today the Global Supply Chain Support Fund is emerging as a powerful catalyst for business growth across the Global South by easing long‑standing barriers to market access, logistics, and financing. By investing in infrastructure, export markets and capacity‑building, the fund helps small and mid‑sized enterprises integrate into international value and supply chains that were previously out of reach. It strengthens resilience against disruptions, improves cross‑border trade efficiency, and enables local producers to scale their operations with greater confidence. In doing so, we are not only boosting regional competitiveness but also positioning Global South businesses as vital contributors to a more diversified, inclusive and sustainable global economy.