Introduction
A quiet transformation is reshaping India–Africa trade driven by patient, impact-minded capital connecting African producers to Indian buyers. The Global Supply Chain Support Fund (GSCSF), a US$220-250 million structured credit vehicle managed by Aavishkaar Capital with partners such as KfW and JICA, is at the center of this shift. Its mission is to provide flexible, non-dilutive capital and market access support that enables resilient African SMEs to scale, meet global quality standards, and trade competitively in large markets like India.
By blending credit with hands-on supply-chain support; including working capital for raw material purchases, investment in processing, certification, and buyer linkages, GSCSF reduces the barriers that keep value trapped at the farmgate. African SMEs have long struggled with cash-flow gaps, challenges in meeting buyer specifications, and limited market access. GSCSF’s integrated “capital + market” approach transforms financial access into trade growth, directly connecting African producers with Indian manufacturers, retailers, and ingredient houses.
Privamnuts: Premium macadamias for high-end Indian markets
Privamnuts EPZ (Kenya) exemplifies how GSCSF turns capital into trade. The company operates a vertically integrated macadamia business, from nurseries and smallholder networks to a modern processing facility in Embu, and holds global food-safety certifications demanded by premium buyers. GSCSF’s support helps Privamnuts move more value upstream by financing processing and certification upgrades, allowing farmers to earn higher margins through value-added exports rather than raw nut sales. For India’s confectioners, snack brands, and gourmet retailers, processed macadamia kernels (blanched and grade-sorted) are far easier to adopt than raw in-shell nuts. Processors like Privamnuts are therefore well positioned to supply high-quality kernels that meet the standards of India’s premium food industry, aligning African value-addition with Indian demand for reliable, ethical sourcing.
Horizon (Horizon Group Africa): Africa’s spices entering Indian supply chains
Additionally, Horizon Group Africa aggregates and processes spices such as ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon across Nigeria, Tanzania, and Madagascar, supplying markets in the EU, U.S., and Asia. In 2025, GSCSF extended a US$5 million loan to scale Horizon’s working capital and sourcing capacity, supporting the company’s efforts to achieve global certifications including organic and traceability systems. Trade data confirms that Horizon and its affiliates already supply major Indian ingredient houses and oleoresin producers such as Plant Lipids, demonstrating how African farms are feeding Indian spice processors.
Beyond Capital
Complementing GSCSF’s credit strategy is a dedicated Technical Assistance (TA) facility that strengthens the African SMEs’ ability to participate effectively in global trade. It supports enterprises in enhancing governance frameworks, digitalizing trade operations, and adopting robust internal controls. Through targeted advisory and system upgrades, including ERP and SAP integration, SMEs streamline export documentation, enhance traceability, and meet the compliance standards demanded by international buyers. Moreover, GSCSF ensures that every investment aligns with measurable ESG outcomes, fostering responsible and transparent value chains. The fund monitors metrics such as carbon footprint, energy use, and waste recycling to ensure export expansion remains environmentally and socially sustainable. For instance, solar power accounts for 40% of Privamnuts’ energy use and projects to increase it to 80%. This integrated support ensures that African exporters supplying India are not only financially ready but also operationally equipped to meet global best practices, promoting sustainable, traceable, and standards-compliant trade across both regions.
Impact
GSCSF investments create value across the entire trade ecosystem, from farmers and processors in Africa to buyers and retailers in India. For farmers, predictable offtake agreements and timely payments strengthen livelihoods. Processors and aggregators such as Privamnuts and Horizon gain the scale, systems, and certifications required to serve demanding international buyers. They additionally gain from steady industrial demand and durable contracts from the Indian processors, moving away from volatile commodity trading toward more sustainable, value-driven trade. Conversely, Indian manufacturers and retailers benefit from diversification which enhances supply stability, enables the development of organic and traceable product lines, and cushions against raw-material shortages.
Together, these outcomes demonstrate how impact-driven capital can go beyond borders, transforming trade into a channel for inclusive, sustainable growth between Africa and India.