The SAFE (Scaling-Up Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation for Economic Development) Initiative is a transformative investment endeavor that unites Africa and Middle East to champion food security and agribusiness in both regions. It aims to mobilize over USD 10 billion through public-private partnerships to empower countries in scaling up climate-resilient agriculture and revolutionizing food systems. The initiative is an example of collaboration to address challenges in food security, climate change, and vulnerable rural livelihoods.

SAFE’s strategic objectives include:

– Mobilizing USD 10 billion in investments for climate-smart agriculture, focusing on boosting domestic production, reducing import dependency, and creating sustainable agri-food supply chains.

– Addressing food security challenges in Africa and the Middle East by leveraging Africa’s agricultural potential (e.g., 65% of global arable land) and the Middle East’s investment capacity.

To achieve these objectives, SAFE operates through core components:

– Technical Assistance Fund (5% of budget): This fund supports project readiness, feasibility studies, and capacity building. It prepares for investment.

– Investment Platform: This platform mobilizes funding for scalable projects through public-private partnerships (PPPs), blended finance, and engagement with regional/international financial institutions. It aims to mobilize USD 10 billion from public/private investors.

Key focus areas of SAFE include:

– Staple Crops: While supporting national priorities such as rice in Senegal and wheat in Ethiopia, SAFE also seeks to expand toward indigenous, climate-resilient crops like millet, sorghum, beans, and drought-tolerant maize to strengthen sustainability and resilience.

– Climate-Smart Practices: Advancing solar-powered irrigation, sustainable cold chains, regenerative agriculture, and other green, climate-resilient technologies.

– Regional Synergy: Strengthening South-South cooperation, aligning with the African Continental Free Trade Area, and supporting SDG2 (Zero Hunger).

The impact goals of SAFE are to:

– Enhance productivity across 15+ million hectares (equivalent to Tunisia’s size).

– Reduce annual import bills by ~USD 1.5 billion and generate USD 8+ billion/year in export revenue.

– Avoid 15+ million tons/year of GHG emissions.

The SAFE Initiative brings together governments, financial institutions, and technical partners across Africa and the Middle East to transform food systems and strengthen climate resilience.

SAFE targets USD 10 billion in investments through public–private partnerships, leveraging Africa’s vast arable land and the Middle East’s investment capacity. Countries set the priorities, while financial partners such as the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) provide critical co-financing. Enabling partners like African Risk Capacity and the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency contribute technical expertise.

Launched at COP28 and hosted by GGGI as the Secretariat, SAFE aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), the African Union’s agricultural agenda, and national priorities. By uniting diverse partners, it advances sustainable agriculture, creates green jobs, and builds resilient livelihoods across Africa and the Middle East.

1. Gako Integrated Meat Processing Facility

– Country: Rwanda 

– Project Size: USD 64M 

– Project Composition: Integrated livestock farming and value addition across six business lines – beef farming, feedlot, feed mill, abattoir, tannery, and rendering – covering 5,919 ha (5,286 ha for cattle breeding, 433 ha for fodder production, and 200 ha for meat processing facilities). Completed works include 53.6 km of feeder roads, farm demarcation, power and water supply installation, and construction of 13 boreholes. Currently, 6,493 cattle are on the farm (target: 14,500).

– Investment Needs: Full project development cycle and implementation financing.

– Project Updates: Ongoing activities include in-field irrigation of 1,700 ha and design of the farm, feedlot, and abattoir.

 2. Scaling Up Label d’Or Operations

– Country: Togo 

– Project Size: USD 41.5M 

– Project Composition: Expansion of soybean production and feasibility studies for additional business lines, including shea butter processing.

– Investment Needs: Direct investments and grants to support feasibility studies and business line expansion.

– Project Updates: GGGI (90%) and the project owner (10%) co-financed the feasibility study and pitchbook for soybean production. A consulting firm was recruited, and a site visit was conducted in July to prepare the preliminary report. 

 3. Gabiro Agribuisiness Hub – Phase 2 

– Country: Rwanda 

– Project Size: USD 200M 

– Project Composition: Large-scale public–private investment in land management, infrastructure, demonstration farms, and agro-processing facilities. Phase I (5,600 ha) was completed through a joint venture between the Government of Rwanda (93%) and Netafim (7%). Phase 2 will expand irrigation to 10,000 ha of land.

– Investment Needs: Grants for feasibility studies and direct investment for implementation.

– Project Updates: Project pitched at the Africa Green Economy Summit 2025 and Dakar Investment Roundtable (September 2024). 

 4. Pela Commodities Ltd. 

– Country: Uganda 

– Project Size: USD 8M  

– Project Composition: Development of grain storage and processing infrastructure, including three storage silos, aflatoxin testing facilities, a standard mill, and supporting equipment (transport trucks, forklift).

– Investment Needs: Full project development financing.

– Project Updates: Due diligence ongoing with Al Furqan Credit (UAE) for potential investment.

5. Amman Vision Project 

– Country: Jordan

– Project Size: USD 50-60M

– Project Composition: Establishment of a green, hygienic, and safe slaughterhouse facility to meet rising meat demand.

– Investment Needs: Capital investment to complete construction and commissioning.

– Project Updates: Feasibility study underway, with completion expected by December 2025.

6. Livestock Sector Modernization – Togo & Guinea

– Country: Togo

– Project Size: USD 25–50M

– Project Composition: Development of a climate-resilient livestock sector to boost domestic production and reduce imports through modernization of infrastructure, capacity-building, and enhanced health and safety standards.

– Investment Needs: Programmatic solution and investment plan financing.

– Project Updates: Baseline assessment completed by IOLS; programmatic solution and investment plan expected by October 2025.

– Country: Guinea

– Project Size: USD 25–50M

– Project Composition: Similar program as in Togo, focusing on livestock sector modernization, capacity building, and food security.

– Investment Needs: Programmatic solution and investment plan financing.

– Project Updates: Baseline assessment completed; programmatic solution and investment plan expected by October 2025.

SAFE Main Brochure

Country Project Brochures