More than capital
We believe that financial performance and impact are mutually inclusive.
This ethos is the cornerstone of our investment philosophy and is why many of our partners choose us.
Phatisa was one of the early adopters to the Operating Principles for Impact Managements and our impact objectives are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: to raise and invest much-needed capital in African emerging markets to alleviate poverty and contribute to food security in Africa.
We achieve this by embedding impact factors within our commercial investment process - from origination, to value creation, to exit.
Impact TARGETS for Phatisa Food Fund 3
We have chosen to focus our investment efforts on building sustainable food systems, not only because of the experience and expertise of our team, but because food systems are critical to human life.
The food sector has the potential to become a major driver of economic development on the continent. However, the sector has historically suffered from a lack of investment and infrastructure, leading to low productivity and inefficient supply and distribution chains.
Providing capital in emerging markets in Africa is critical to addressing food system challenges by supporting the growth of food businesses and their supply chains. Our impact targets for our third fund are as follows:
4,000,000
Tonnes food and food associated products
Food produced for Africa and aboad.
45%
of portfolio jobs in aggregate across the portfolio at exit
At least 25% of portcos are 51% owned by women with decision making powers, or has woman CEO; OR ≥ 2 women in a C-suite or equivalent leadership role with decision making power as at end of Fund life (2037)
50,000
Smallholders & microlenders reachd
40 % smallholders and microentrepreneurs that are women
All
portfolio companies have conducted climate risk assessments and have developed adaptation strategies where appropriate.
For all applicable portfolio companies, determine food loss and waste baseline at investment and set company specific reduction targets
12,000
permanent jobs sustained
Job creation: 10% permanent from baseline (at entry)
Gender 2x
Commit to 2x certification for Fund 3 and participate in the 2X challenge prior to certification
30% of portfolio companies will qualify under the gender 2X challenge at investment, or 50% of portfolio companies at exit.
40% reduced
emissions by 2037
Develop decarbonisation strategy for each portfolio company and set targets for net zero by 2050 (or earlier)
Impact highlights from Phatisa Food Fund 2*
10,447 permanent / fixed-term contracts
10, 447 permanent including fixed term contracts > 1 year with same/similar rights and benefits as permanent and 14, 599 total FTE including seasonal/temporary jobs
1,976,794 tonnes
Food and food related products produced by portfolio companies to date.
US$11m
paid in taxes
Contribution to the fiscus is an important part of our corporate citizenship to the countries in which our portfolio companies operate.
43%
female employment
43% female employment across our portfolio (FTE) . Phatisa is a signatory to the Women's Empowerment Principles.
Gender 2x certified
The 2X Challenge was launched at the G7 Summit 2018 as a bold commitment of development and multilateral finance institutions to invest in the world’s women.
15,564 smallholders & microentrepreneurs reached
Phatisa continuously learns how to deliver lasting impacts to beneficiaries, such as smallholder farmers, bottom-of-the-pyramid consumers, women and the environment.
*These statistics summarise the Fund's key impacts & contributions to strategically aligned SDGs. Collected impact data covers the period up to 31 December 2025 and have been calculated in line with international best practice for impact measurement.
>150
cumulative years of African investing experience
3
Funds successfully raised
(2 food, 1 housing)
>30
staff members
representing 11 nationalities & speaking
30 languages
Impact highlights from Food Fund 1*
9,434
permanent jobs sustained
Noting that job numbers trended fluctuate due to the nature of food/agri workforce composition.
3,852,023
tonnes of food & related products delivered to date
.
108,716
total smallholders & micro-entrepreneurs impacted
Phatisa continuously learns how to deliver lasting impacts to beneficiaries, such as smallholder farmers, bottom-of-the-pyramid consumers, women and the environment.
944
permanent jobs for women
Phatisa is a signatory to the Women's Empowerment Principles.
US$24.4m
paid in taxes
Contribution to the fiscus is an important part of our corporate citizenship to the countries in which our portfolio companies operate.
35,990
smallholders & micro-entrepreneurs directly impacted by TAF projects
To amplify Food Fund 1's development impact, the International Fund for Agricultural Development actively promoted a Technical Assistance Facility to work alongside the Fund.
*These statistics summarise the Fund's key impacts & contributions to strategically aligned SDGs. Collected impact data covers the period up to and including 2023 and have been calculated in line with international best practice for impact measurement.
Impact reports
What our investors & partners say...
Paulo Martelli, Chief Investment Officer, FinDev Canada
“Our support to Phatisa Food Fund 2 will help respond to some of the most important challenges facing Africa today. ...We expect our investment in Phatisa Food Fund 2 to create sustainable benefits for many more people in Africa, as well as the companies where they work, shop, and do business with.”