AATF

What AATF does

AATF (African Agricultural Technology Foundation) is a not-for-profit, African-led technology-transfer organization founded in 2003 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It operates as an intermediary that negotiates royalty-free access to proprietary agricultural technologies held by global life-science companies — including Monsanto/Bayer, BASF, and Syngenta — and deploys them to smallholder farmers across 23 Sub-Saharan African countries through partnerships with national agricultural research systems, seed companies, government extension services, NGOs, and farmer cooperatives.

Its technology portfolio centers on biotechnology transfer and crop improvement, including TELA Maize (drought-tolerant and insect-resistant GMO maize), PBR Cowpea (pod-borer-resistant varieties), hybrid rice development (10 varieties commercially released in Kenya), cassava mechanization and agro-processing (CAMAP), and a newer genome-editing program in partnership with BioHeuris. Distribution is executed through dedicated subsidiaries — AGRIDRIVE LTD, ECOBASIC SEED, and QualiBasic Seed — alongside licensed private seed companies (Sterling Seeds, Seed Co, WACOT) and CGIAR research centers (IITA, CIMMYT, AfricaRice).

AATF is funded almost entirely by institutional development donors, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, USAID, UKAID/DFID, the African Development Bank, the EU, USDA, GIZ, UKRI, and IDRC explicitly identified as core and major financial partners. The organization does not charge farmers for technology access and operates across three internal programs (Farm Productivity, Seed Systems Development & Commercialization, and Enabling Environment) with regional offices in Abuja, Nigeria and Kigali, Rwanda.

Name

AATF

Legal name

African Agricultural Technology Foundation

Website

https://aatf-africa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AATF is a not-for-profit technology-transfer foundation, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Nairobi, that negotiates royalty-free access to proprietary agricultural biotechnologies and deploys them to smallholder farmers across 23 Sub-Saharan African countries through public-private partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Technology Transfer Services

NAICS

Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Seed & Trait Distribution (Dealer Networks) (AFABAJAD)

Keywords

• Agricultural technology transfer
• Agricultural biotechnology deployment
• Smallholder farmer productivity
• Hybrid seed development
• Genome editing crops

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Foundation/Donor Funding: AATF is a not-for-profit organization that operates primarily through grants and funding from international development investors including foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation), government aid agencies (USAID, UKAID/DFID, USDA), development banks (AfDB), and research councils (UKRI, IDRC)
2. Technology Transfer Facilitation: AATF facilitates the royalty-free transfer of technologies to African farmers through public/private partnerships, serving as an honest broker that negotiates access to proprietary technologies held by technology owners

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AATF facilitates the royalty-free transfer and deployment of proprietary agricultural technologies (drought-tolerant and insect-resistant maize, pod-borer resistant cowpea, hybrid rice, cassava mechanization, genome-edited crops) to smallholder farmers across 23 Sub-Saharan African countries. Operating as an "honest broker," it negotiates access with technology owners, manages adaptive R&D and regulatory approvals through national research systems, and supports last-mile delivery via seed companies, government extension, NGOs, agro-dealers, and farmer cooperatives.

Product overview

AATF (African Agricultural Technology Foundation) is a not-for-profit African-led technology-transfer organisation that provides smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa with practical agricultural technology solutions. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AATF operates through multiple programs including Farm Productivity, Seed Systems Development & Product Commercialisation, and Enabling Environment. The organization's portfolio includes technology transfer projects covering maize (TELA Maize, TAAT Maize Compact, BMSS, ABMAN), rice (Hybrid Rice Project, NEWEST Rice), cowpea (PBR Cowpea), cassava (CAMAP), and cross-cutting initiatives like OFAB, ACAT, and AHyRA. AATF also manages special initiatives including ACAT (African AgriTech Conference), AHyRA (Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa), and works through subsidiaries AGRIDRIVE LTD, ECOBASIC SEED, and QualiBasic Seed (QBS) for seed systems development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TELA Maize: Drought-tolerant and pest-resistant maize technology project
• OFAB
• CAMAP
• PBR Cowpea
• BMSS
• ABMAN
• TAAT

Products and services

• TELA Maize Project Drought-tolerant and insect-resistant maize varieties project for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, deploying biotech maize with traits including drought tolerance and insect resistance (Bt) through partnership with CIMMYT and licensed traits from technology owners.
• PBR Cowpea Project (Pod-Borer Resistant Cowpea) Development and deployment of pod-borer resistant cowpea varieties genetically modified to resist the Maruca pod borer pest, reducing pesticide use and increasing yields for smallholder farmers in West Africa.
• Hybrid Rice Project Initiative to accelerate hybrid rice development and adoption across Africa, including establishment of the Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa (AHyRA) and collaboration with AfricaRice.
• NEWEST Rice Project Project focused on nitrogen-use efficient, water-use efficient, and salt-tolerant rice varieties for African production conditions.
• CAMAP (Cassava Mechanisation and Agroprocessing Project) Project aimed at mechanizing cassava farming and developing agroprocessing value chains to improve efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses for cassava growers.
• MLN Diagnostics and Management Project Project focused on maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease diagnostics and management solutions for African maize production.
• Seeds2B Project Project facilitating seed systems development and product commercialization for improved seed access across African markets.
• OFAB (Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa) Platform promoting dialogue and awareness on agricultural biotechnology across Africa, supporting evidence-based decision-making by policymakers, researchers, and the public.
• TAAT Maize Compact Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation program compact focused on maize productivity improvements and scaling proven technologies across African countries.
• TAAT Policy Enabler Policy program facilitating enabling environment for efficient deployment of high-impact agricultural technologies across African countries.
• ACAT (African AgriTech Conference and Exhibition) Annual conference and exhibition platform convening stakeholders to drive investment and partnerships in Agri-Tech solutions for Africa's agricultural transformation.
• AHyRA (Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa) Landmark platform established to accelerate hybrid rice development and adoption across the African continent.
• Agridrive Ltd (Special Initiative) AATF subsidiary providing agricultural mechanization services and solutions to support technology deployment across African farming systems.
• Ecobasic Seed (Special Initiative) AATF subsidiary focused on seed production and development for African smallholder markets.
• QualiBasic Seed (QBS) (Special Initiative) AATF subsidiary supporting quality basic seed production as part of AATF's seed systems development programme.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• AUDA-NEPADmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Signed MoU to improve agricultural productivity and supply chains through genome editing innovation, supporting the African Union's development agenda.
• BioHeurismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to boost productivity with genome-edited crops in Africa, representing next-generation breeding techniques for improved crop varieties.
• Monsanto/BayercoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology owner providing proprietary agricultural biotechnology including GM traits for maize and other crops, licensed royalty-free for African smallholder farmers.
• BASFcoreTechnology or IntegrationAgricultural chemistry and biotechnology company providing access to proprietary crop protection and improvement technologies for African deployment.
• IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGIAR center providing research expertise, germplasm, and breeding programs for cassava, maize, rice, and other staple crops across Africa.
• CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGIAR center collaborating on maize improvement programs including the WEMA and TELA maize projects for drought-tolerant and insect-resistant varieties.
• AfricaRicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGIAR center collaborating on rice improvement and the Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa (AHyRA) initiative.
• FARA (Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental forum coordinating agricultural research and development across Africa's sub-regional organizations.
• ASARECAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub-regional organization for agricultural research and development in East and Central Africa.
• CORAF/WECARDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub-regional research council for West and Central Africa coordinating agricultural research initiatives.
• Kenyan National Agricultural Research SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Kenyan agricultural research institutes including KALRO and KEPHIS for biosafety regulation and technology deployment.
• NARO UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Agricultural Research Organization of Uganda collaborating on crop improvement and biosafety programs.
• ARCBN NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural Research Council of Nigeria coordinating national agricultural research activities.
• Sterling Seeds LimitedmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUgandan seed company founded by AATF board member Sylvia Kyeyune, expanding farmers' access to quality seed technologies.
• Seed Co LimitedmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor African seed company providing commercial distribution of improved seed varieties across multiple African countries.
• WACOT LimitedmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNigerian agribusiness company involved in seed production and commercial distribution of improved varieties.
• SNVmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization partnering on agricultural development and market systems programs.
• PepsiCominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood and beverage company engaged in agricultural development initiatives in Africa.
• SyngentaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgribusiness company providing agricultural technology and inputs for African agriculture programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CropLife International: CropLife International is the global industry association for the crop science and agricultural biotechnology sector, representing companies including Bayer and BASF that provide proprietary technologies AATF licenses. Comparable as an advocate for agricultural biotechnology adoption, though with a commercial-industry (vs. smallholder-non-profit) orientation.

Direct peers

• One Acre Fund: One Acre Fund is a not-for-profit serving smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa with inputs, training, and market access. Comparable as a high-impact African agricultural nonprofit that delivers services and improved inputs through last-mile networks, though with a more farmer-services (vs. biotech licensing) orientation.
• HarvestPlus: HarvestPlus is a non-profit that breeds and disseminates biofortified staple crops to address micronutrient deficiency in smallholder-farmer communities globally. Highly comparable as a CGIAR-anchored, donor-funded organization that develops crop technologies for African and Asian smallholders through public-private partnerships.
• CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center): CIMMYT is a CGIAR research center and AATF's primary collaborator on the WEMA and TELA Maize drought-tolerant/insect-resistant maize programs. Comparable mandate of developing and deploying improved cereal varieties for resource-poor farmers in developing regions.
• ICIPE (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology): ICIPE (now the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology) is an Africa-based non-profit scientific research organization developing pest management and climate-smart agricultural solutions for smallholder farmers. Comparable as a research-and-deployment non-profit targeting African agricultural constraints through technology transfer and partnerships.
• AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa): AGRA is a not-for-profit Africa-focused foundation working to improve smallholder farm productivity through partnerships with governments, research institutions, and the private sector. Highly comparable mission, donor model, and African smallholder focus, with AATF focused on technology transfer and AGRA on broader systems improvement.
• AfricaRice: AfricaRice is a CGIAR center and a direct collaborator with AATF on the Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa (AHyRA) initiative. Both organizations develop and deploy improved rice technologies to African smallholders through partnerships with national research systems.
• IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture): IITA is a CGIAR research center delivering agricultural innovations for Africa, including cassava, maize, and yam breeding, and is a direct operational peer and partner of AATF on technology development for smallholder systems. Comparable as a research-to-deployment organization targeting Sub-Saharan African productivity constraints.
• IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute): IFPRI is a CGIAR research institute providing policy-oriented research on food security and agricultural development. Comparable as a research-and-policy organization funded by donors and governments to support African smallholder productivity, though more research-focused than AATF's deployment orientation.
• FFAR (Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research): FFAR is a US-based non-profit foundation that funds agricultural research through public-private partnerships to address pressing food and agriculture challenges. Comparable as a donor-funded agricultural research foundation leveraging cross-sector partnerships to deliver technology solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aatfafrica
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnesohvW6SR0LrbjRolKKLw
• Facebookfacebook.com/aatfafrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/african-agricultural-technology-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AATF