Impact Amplifier has been selected by The African Climate Foundation to lead a pioneering initiative, Financing and Supporting a Regenerative Transition in South African Agriculture. The initiative aims to lay the foundation for a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive farming sector across South Africa.
The Context
South Africa’s agricultural sector is at a crossroads. Farmers are facing rising input costs, declining soil health, biodiversity loss, and the growing threat of climate change. Conventional farming methods are proving increasingly unsustainable economically and environmentally.
Regenerative agriculture offers a transformative solution. By focusing on restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and improving water retention, these practices not only build long-term resilience but also contribute directly to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The transition to regenerative agriculture, however, is challenging in many ways. It requires upfront investment, new knowledge, and patient capital – resources that are often out of reach for most farmers, especially smallholders.
Project Goals and Scope
Over the next 12-18 months, Impact Amplifier and our partner AGDA will:
- Design a blended finance model that mobilises public and private capital to support regenerative agriculture projects.
- Map the current landscape of regenerative farming in South Africa, identifying the policy, financing, and practical barriers to adoption.
- Develop a comprehensive ecosystem support model, including training, technical assistance, and access to markets.
- Build a fund structure and finance strategy that appeals to both impact-driven and commercial investors.
- Secure anchor funding commitments to launch the fund and begin making investments.
Real Impact for Farmers
This project is focused on restoring the soil health, increasing food security, and mitigating climate risks to South Africa’s food system.
The fund will help farmers:
- Access capital tailored to the realities of regenerative agriculture.
- Receive practical, sector-specific training and mentorship.
- Improve profitability by reducing dependency on expensive chemical inputs.
- Build resilience to climate shocks through healthier soil and better land stewardship.
- Increase long-term sustainability of their farms and livelihoods.
When regenerative agriculture succeeds, it creates ripple effects such as healthier food systems, more secure rural economies, and a stronger response to the climate crisis.
Our Role
Impact Amplifier brings over a decade of experience in research into the impact ecosystem, accelerating high-impact enterprises and structuring innovative finance mechanisms across Africa. Our team combines expertise in primary and secondary research, fund management, investment readiness, and ecosystem development, making us well-positioned to deliver on the objectives of this project.
Through this initiative, we aim to contribute practical solutions that enable farmers to transition toward regenerative practices with appropriate financial and technical support. We will work closely with key stakeholders across the agricultural value chain, government, and the investment community to ensure the fund is viable, scalable, and aligned with both environmental goals and commercial realities.
We look forward to sharing progress and outcomes as the project unfolds.