What Norges Vel does

Norges Vel (The Royal Norwegian Society for Development) is a Norwegian non-profit development organization, founded in 1809, that began its international development work in 1978 in cooperation with Norwegian cooperative organizations and with Norad support. Headquartered in Skjetten, Norway, the organization operates across three East and Southern African countries — Tanzania (Dar es Salaam office, established 2007), Mozambique (Nampula office, opened 2025), and Madagascar — supporting small-scale agricultural and aquaculture producers to transition from subsistence to commercial production. Its core offerings are structured development programs rather than commercial products: rice value chain commercialization through farmer-owned companies (MTC, KTC) in Tanzania; sustainable tilapia aquaculture programs and the producer organization Tilapia de l'Est in Madagascar; the CEPAQ aquaculture research center for tilapia breeding in Mozambique; marine aquaculture (seaweed and sea cucumber cultivation); food safety interventions including AflaSafe bioproduct production and bio-spray cashew protection; and agroforestry and agroecology programs.

The organization employs community-led GTM: it trains lead farmers via demonstration plots, organizes producers into cooperatives and farmer-owned companies, and develops downstream buyer linkages (e.g., COPEFRITO, IOT exporters, Papá Pesca). Revenue is entirely grant-based, with primary funding from Norad (the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Growing Resilience programme, supplemented by co-funding from GIZ, the COOP Solidarity Fund, Norcap, and others. Two grants in June 2024 totaled over 300 million NOK over five years. Services are delivered at no direct cost to beneficiaries, who are segmented across small-scale producers, women in agriculture, and youth in agriculture. Headcount is 11-50 employees, including a Managing Director, Director of International Development, country managers for Tanzania and Mozambique, and senior advisors across aquaculture, communications, and finance.

Name

Norges Vel

Legal name

The Royal Norwegian Society for Development

Website

https://norgesvel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Norges Vel is a Norwegian non-profit development organization founded in 1809 that supports small-scale agricultural and aquaculture producers in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar to transition from subsistence to commercial production through cooperative development, training, and value chain programs, funded primarily by Norwegian government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Agricultural and Aquaculture Development Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (1151)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture, Food Security & Nutrition Technical Assistance (BPADAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Food Security, Agriculture & Nutrition Aid Programs (BPADABAD)

Keywords

• Agricultural development
• Cooperative development
• Aquaculture programs
• Sustainable farming
• Food security

Headquarters

HQ city

Skretting

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Development Funding: Norges Vel is a non-profit organization funded primarily through grants from Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation), the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other institutional donors. They do not generate commercial revenue from their development programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Norges Vel operates agricultural and aquaculture development programs in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar that help small-scale producers transition from subsistence to commercial production. It delivers training, cooperative formation, market access support, and value chain development across rice, tilapia fish farming, cashew, sea cucumber/algae, and agroforestry value chains, funded primarily through grants from Norad and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organization's outputs include farmer-owned trading companies, aquaculture research (CEPAQ), climate-resilient agronomic techniques, and bioproducts such as AflaSafe and bio-spray for cashew protection.

Product overview

Norges Vel (Royal Norwegian Society for Development) is not a commercial software company but a development organization offering a portfolio of agricultural and aquaculture development programs. The core offerings include: (1) Tilapia de l'Est (TDE) cooperative and fish farming programs in Madagascar, (2) CEPAQ aquaculture research center in Mozambique, (3) COMRICE rice sector commercialization in Tanzania, (4) Inclusive Rice Value Chain projects, (5) AflaSafe bioproduct production for food safety, (6) Bio-spray cashew protection, (7) Sea cucumber and algae marine cultivation, and (8) Agroforestry/agroecology climate programs. These projects support small-scale producers across Africa to transition from subsistence to commercial farming through capacity building, cooperative organization, market access, and sustainable technology adoption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fish Farming / Tilapia Aquaculture Projects Sustainable tilapia fish farming programs in Madagascar and Mozambique, supporting small-scale fish farmers through cooperative models, hatchery operations, and market access development.
• CEPAQ - Centre for Aquaculture Research Aquaculture research center in Mozambique (Centro de Pesquisa em Aquacultura) focused on tilapia breeding, genetic enhancement of Oreochromis species, and production of fry for fish farmers.
• COMRICE - Commercialization of the Rice Sector in Tanzania Rice sector development project supporting smallholder rice farmers through farmer-owned companies (MTC and KTC), providing access to warehouses, machinery, markets, and business training.
• Inclusive Rice Value Chain Project Comprehensive rice value chain development initiative supporting small-scale rice producers with climate-resilient production methods, seed production, women and youth enterprise development, and market access.
• AflaSafe Production Project Project to produce AflaSafe bioproduct locally in Mozambique to combat aflatoxin contamination in peanuts and maize, protecting human and animal health.
• Bio-Spray Cashew Protection Development of biological spray to prevent mould on cashew trees during flowering, aimed at increasing cashew production and farmer incomes in Mozambique.
• Sea Cucumber and Algae Cultivation Marine aquaculture project in Madagascar cultivating sea cucumbers and algae as sustainable supplementary income sources for the Vezo coastal community.
• Agroforestry and Climate Resilience Programs Projects implementing agroforestry practices and climate-smart agriculture to improve soil health, reduce climate risk, and increase household income for small-scale farmers.
• Agroecology Food Sovereignty Programs Regional network of agroecological hubs empowering farmers with local knowledge, social support, inputs, and market connections for sustainable food security.
• Cooperative Development Programs Regional programs strengthening cooperative development in Tanzania and Mozambique through sustainable local value chains and farmer organization support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450 fish farmers tripled their incomes in Madagascar
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major and supporting.

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development organization co-funding aquaculture projects in Madagascar. GIZ supports the establishment of fish farming cooperatives and provides funding for sustainable aquaculture development.
• Rice Council Tanzania (RCT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational rice sector organization working to improve framework conditions for rice production in Tanzania. RCT works with authorities on guidelines and import/export rules.
• Farm to Market AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of organizations working to strengthen food value chains. Collaborated with Norges Vel on rice sector development events in Tanzania.
• Blue VenturesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnglish environmental organization collaborating on marine aquaculture projects in Madagascar including seaweed farming and sea cucumber cultivation.
• Papá PescamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Mozambican enterprise responsible for practical implementation of tilapia farming demonstration areas, providing instruction and follow-up for fish farmers.
• TechnoServesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational development organization that conducted national market studies and provided technical expertise for Mozambique aquaculture projects.
• COPEFRITOsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal seafood export enterprise in Madagascar that purchases and exports algae and sea cucumber products, providing market access for local producers.
• IOT (Indian Ocean Trepang)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal seafood export enterprise in Madagascar for sea cucumber exports to Asian and European markets.
• INCAJUsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMozambique's National Cashew Institute working on cashew sector development and bio-spray projects to combat mould affecting cashew production.
• Brynild GruppensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian confectionery company involved in cashew value chain development projects in Mozambique.
• NIBIOsupportingTechnology or IntegrationNorwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research providing technical expertise for bio-spray development for cashew mould prevention.
• MIMAIPsupportingOthersMozambique's Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries - owner of CEPAQ aquaculture research center.
• IIP (National Institute of Fisheries Research)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMozambique's Fisheries Research Institute that operates CEPAQ alongside Norges Vel's support.
• NORCAPsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian Refugee Council's capacity deployment mechanism providing expertise for Tanzania rice value chain projects.
• Nafaka KilimosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Tanzania agricultural organization partnering on rice sector development projects.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Farm Africa: UK-based NGO working on agricultural value chains, cooperative development, and market access for smallholder farmers across East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC). Highly comparable mission, geography, and smallholder-commercialization approach to Norges Vel.
• Blue Ventures: UK marine conservation and aquaculture organization working with coastal communities on seaweed, sea cucumber, and fisheries development (already a Norges Vel partner in Madagascar). Directly comparable on smallholder marine aquaculture value chain work.
• WorldFish: International CGIAR-affiliated research organization focused on aquatic food systems and small-scale fisheries/aquaculture in developing countries. Directly comparable in tilapia breeding (CEPAQ-equivalent work) and smallholder aquaculture development in Africa and Asia.
• TechnoServe: US-based NGO operating across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, applying business solutions to smallholder agriculture (already a partner of Norges Vel). Comparable focus on transitioning farmers from subsistence to commercial production via farmer-owned enterprises and value chain development.
• Heifer International: Global non-profit focused on ending hunger and poverty through sustainable livestock and aquaculture value chains for smallholder farmers. Highly comparable in aquaculture (tilapia, fish farming), cooperative formation, and East African footprint.
• Self Help Africa: Irish-headquartered development organization focused on cooperative-led agriculture and enterprise development across sub-Saharan Africa. Closely comparable in cooperative methodology, target beneficiaries, and West/East African geography.

Broad incumbents

• BRAC International: Large development organization running microfinance, agriculture, and aquaculture programs across Africa and Asia with strong smallholder focus. Comparable in scaling smallholder livelihoods via cooperative and micro-enterprise models across multiple developing economies.
• Concern Worldwide: Irish humanitarian and development organization working on food security and livelihoods in fragile contexts including Tanzania and Mozambique. Overlap in target beneficiaries (smallholder farmers) and East/Southern African geography.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal development agency operating globally on sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and cooperative development (already a co-funding partner for Norges Vel's Madagascar aquaculture work). Comparable state-backed, multi-sector development model.
• SNV Netherlands Development Organisation: Large Dutch development organization with deep agriculture, water, and energy portfolios across Africa and Asia. Comparable in working through country offices in Tanzania, Mozambique and other developing markets with donor-funded programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/norgesvel
• Facebookfacebook.com/norgesvel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/norgesveltanzania

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Norges Vel