Grassroots Business Fund (GBF) is an experienced impact investment organization that has been working in the space for almost 20 years, stretching back to its founding within the International Finance Corporation and World Bank Group.
GBF’s hybrid model targets a two-pronged approach positioning GBF as a leader in adaptive impact-driven lending:
Flexible Capital Investment
Traditional finance favors large enterprises with predictable growth and clear exits. But the SMEs transforming communities across Africa operate differently—with irregular cash flows, non-linear growth trajectories, and longer time horizons.
At GBF, we design financing that fits. Our approach includes mezzanine finance with grace periods, flexible repayment terms, alternative collateral arrangements, and performance-linked structures. We offer patient capital in local currency, with ticket sizes ranging from $100,000 to $3 million - filling the gap that traditional lenders overlook.
This flexibility allows enterprises to invest in sustainable growth rather than scrambling to meet rigid repayment schedules. And as repayments come in, we recycle capital into new investments, ensuring continuous support for the next generation of high-impact businesses.
The result: enterprises that can absorb shocks, seize opportunities, and scale on their own terms..
Technical Assistance
Over 700 technical assistance engagements across two decades have taught us that entrepreneurs know their businesses best. Rather than prescribing solutions, we work alongside business owners to build the systems they need.
Our model embeds expert practitioners who work across multiple portfolio companies, allowing insights gained with one business to benefit others. We provide pre-investment support to strengthen financial discipline, governance, and operational resilience before capital is deployed.
Post-investment, we continue with hands-on guidance as enterprises scale - helping them meet audit requirements, implement accounting systems, and build governance structures.
We focus on six critical areas: financial management, operations, corporate governance, strategy, legal and regulatory compliance, and environmental and social impact management. To ensure commitment and sustainability, SMEs contribute up to 50% of TA costs.
The results: 86% of our portfolio companies have skilled managers monitoring operating indicators, 81% have strong advisor networks participating in governance, and 76% have senior managers actively managing financial planning.
Our goal isn't dependency - it's building capability that outlasts the engagement.
