When PepsiCo's acquisition of Pioneer Foods in March 2020 was finalized, PepsiCo agreed to a number of Public Interest Commitments, with the overarching goal of driving economic growth. One such commitment was the launching of this Development Fund, with an initial investment of R600 million in order to enhance effective, market-driven programs, co-create innovative solutions alongside key partners and scale our impact through catalytic investments…
Learn MoreThe development fund supports the transformation of food and beverage value chain by developing black emerging business partners in agricultural production (e.g farmers, suppliers, business solution providers, employees, researchers). The fund also develops current and new black business partners along the food and beverage value chain (e.g distributors and other suppliers). It addresses the knowledge and skills gaps across South African food system (e.g applied Agro &R&D, climate resilient crop development, capacity building in much needed professions (e.g STEM), circular economy business models and nutrition science)
The ideation for the Kgodiso Fund was locally informed and co-created. Not only did we want to ensure maximum impact, but we wanted a funding model that would be sustainable for years to come. Our funding model includes providing access to affordable capital alongside technical and business risk support. We intend to attract and leverage partners to scale impact and create local ownership and building the business case for investing in communities
The Development Fund has a portfolio of investments across the supply and value chain. These have been co-created with local partners to build and maximize resilience and inclusivity within South Africa’s food system.
