Key Success Factors

• An investment strategy based on a strong understanding of sectoral competitive advantage.
• Investing in businesses with committed and competent management with the vision and desire to grow the business.
• Focusing on early stage businesses where risk capital is needed and where high long term investment returns can be generated.
• Leveraging AAC's funds and capacity through active co-operation with other investors active in the region and the sector.
• Establishing and maintaining a strong relationship between the investee company and AAC, through the provision of active and relevant business management expertise to improve business performance.

Investment scope

Businesses within the agriculture value chain with a particular focus either on inputs and service provision to farmers or on providing farmers with improved access to market opportunities.

Agriculture is defined in its broadest sense, to include horticulture, agro-forestry, food crops and livestock businesses. AAC's current focus includes the following sub-sectors:

• Plant breeding and seed production; companies involved in all aspects of plant breeding, seed production, seed marketing and inputs marketing.
• Cereal crop handling and marketing; facilities for cleaning, drying and storage of cereal crops and related marketing, distribution and agro-processing businesses.
• Agricultural production and agro-processing; companies which contract small farmers as out growers and/or suppliers. Principal sectors are likely to include horticulture, coffee, dairy and other food crops.
• Peripheral/support business opportunities