UNCDF Grants for Digital Agro-Dealer Platforms in Ethiopia

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is inviting applications for an investment grant aimed at scaling proven digital platforms that enhance financing and operational efficiency for agro-dealers across Ethiopia. This initiative, part of the Advancing Inclusive Rural & Agriculture Digital Ecosystems (AIRADE) under the FinWise Ethiopia Project, seeks to digitally transform agro-dealer networks to improve access to high-quality agricultural inputs and credit for smallholder farmers. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Legally registered financial institutions or technology service providers operating in Ethiopia or East African countries.
• Minimum of three years of operational experience with proven financial capacity.
• Demonstrated readiness to scale an existing, proven digital platform that supports agro-dealer operations such as input management, supply chain logistics, and sales processes.
• Ability to implement platform deployment, localization, and integration with financial institutions for credit product pilots.
• Commitment to improving access to finance for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and women agro-entrepreneurs.

Benefits

• Access to a performance-based investment grant from a total $491,000 budget.
• Funding disbursements tied to key milestones such as deployment, platform localization, and financial service integration.
• Opportunity to expand reach into unreached rural areas across Ethiopia.
• Support in training agro-dealers on digital financial literacy and platform use.
• Enhanced visibility among key stakeholders in agricultural finance and rural development.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) can be submitted via email to eoi.finwise@uncdf.org. This grant offers a unique opportunity for digital financial service providers and software companies to contribute significantly to transforming Ethiopia’s agricultural financing landscape, driving inclusive growth and economic resilience.