ISF Advisors

isfadvisors.org

PRACTICE AREA

Research

REGION

Global

INVESTMENT YEARS

2015-2023

IN 2022

• Collaborated with 15 BDS providers across East and West Africa

ISF Advisors is a strategic and financial advisory group committed to mobilising capital for a more sustainable, equitable, and productive global food system. ISF Advisors provides research on agriculture and food systems, particularly around issues affecting smallholder farmers and rural enterprises, to inform investment strategies for public and private funders. Small Foundation most recently partnered with ISF Advisors for research on BDS in East and West Africa, in collaboration with AGRA, Agriterra, AMEA, Argidius Foundation and SAFIN.

Systems lens

Since 2015, Small Foundation has worked with ISF Advisors as a research partner and close collaborator towards understanding various ecosystem challenges, particularly relating to access to finance for smallholder farmers and agricultural enterprises. The research in 2022 sought to address the lack of data on funding models, costs, and outcomes of BDS for agri-SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa; and to develop a benchmarking tool to form a common approach and understanding to the measurement of sustainable and effective BDS practices. The goal is that quality BDS provision will proliferate, supporting agri-SMEs to expand their reach and generate more employment opportunities.