Building on the remarkable success of the 2024 African Agri Investment Indaba, where the African Agri Council facilitated investment deals worth $239-million through its Investment Discovery Sessions (IDS), the platform returns for the 2025 Indaba with increased momentum. This substantial achievement highlights the essential role of strategic matchmaking in directing capital into Africa’s agricultural sector and creating measurable progress toward food security.
The IDS platform is specifically designed to bridge the financing gap by linking accredited investors with carefully vetted, investment-ready agrifood projects. The $239-million in deals secured at last year’s Indaba demonstrates both the strong pipeline of viable agricultural enterprises across the continent and increasing investor trust in opportunities that offer financial returns alongside meaningful developmental impact.
“The $239-million result from our 2024 Indaba is more than a number; it represents the quality of projects and committed investors this platform brings together,” said Reinhard Lotz, Marketing & Communications Director for the African Agri Council. “That investment is now actively upgrading operations, developing infrastructure, and reinforcing food systems across the continent. As we prepare for the 2025 sessions, our goal is to expand on this successful framework to release even greater investment for African agriculture.”
The IDS process is a carefully managed journey that starts months before the event. Project owners submit detailed proposals that undergo a strict review process. The AAC team then actively promotes these qualified projects to its extensive network of investors, including development finance institutions, private equity firms, and venture capitalists, preparing the ground for the high-level, pre-arranged meetings that characterize the Indaba.
The selection process prioritizes projects with proven traction, scalable models, and strong potential to strengthen agricultural value chains across Africa.
“Our approach is founded on thorough preparation and a deep knowledge of the investment landscape,” explained Martine Tshiani, Operations Manager and IDS Project Lead at the AAC.. “We carefully prepare both project owners and investors, making sure presentations are powerful and that opportunities match strategic objectives. This intentional, hands-on method is why the IDS repeatedly produces deals of this scale.”
The AAC is currently accepting applications for the 2025 IDS through IDS@agricouncil.org. Project owners can submit their proposals to be considered for presentation to the curated investor panel. The selection process prioritizes projects with proven traction, scalable models, and strong potential to strengthen agricultural value chains across Africa.
“We are looking for projects that demonstrate real potential to create impact while delivering returns,” explained Ms Tshiani, “Our team works closely with selected project owners to refine their pitch decks and prepare them for investor presentations. The application process is straightforward, and we encourage all qualified agribusinesses to reach out to learn more about our investor criteria and selection process.”
The IDS platform offers selected projects multiple benefits beyond the pitch session itself, including inclusion in the AAC’s online project database, featuring in event publications, and continued promotion to qualified investors. The comprehensive support system ensures projects are well-positioned to secure funding and build strategic partnerships.
Project owners interested in participating in the Investment Discovery Sessions can begin the application process by contacting IDS@agricouncil.org. The AAC team provides detailed information on investor criteria, application requirements, and selection timelines to help applicants prepare strong submissions.
The upcoming African Agri Investment Indaba, set for 24-26 November 2025 in Cape Town, will showcase the next iteration of the IDS. The session will again function as the primary deal-making forum, giving agrifood executives a direct pathway to secure funding and offering investors exclusive access to high-potential projects in sectors such as agro-processing, climate-smart agriculture, agri-tech, and essential infrastructure.
