Our impact

By supporting inclusive SMEs that create opportunities for economic mobility and generate income for thousands of people in underserved communities, we contribute to poverty alleviation and drive economic growth on a large scale.

The bulk of the economic benefits deriving from our investees goes to agricultural out-growers, artisans, workers, entrepreneurs and consumers of goods and services, key players in their value chains.

Through our work, we are actively contributing to several sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Case studies

Group of women in surgical attire working in a sterile environment, inspecting vegetables on a table.

800+ farmers supported • 180+ jobs sustained • 3,300+ dependents impacted • $2.1M income generated for farmers

Wamu

Kenya • Horticulture

Wamu is a family-owned Kenyan business exporting fruits and vegetables to European markets. The company sources produce from over 800 smallholder farmers, providing them with technical assistance to evolve farming methods, and employs approximately 150 packhouse workers, primarily women, to sort, assemble, and pack products.

To accelerate growth and strengthen operations, Wamu partnered with GBF for working capital, capex support, and hands-on technical assistance in packhouse operations and financial management. The company achieved Global GAP certification, enabling farmers to export high-value products to Europe. Today, Wamu connects rural Kenyan farmers to global markets, providing sustainable income and improving the quality of life for thousands across its supply chain.

A person wearing protective clothing, a hairnet, and a face mask inspects or sorts small food items in a laboratory or food production setting, with another worker in the background working near a large industrial machine.

Smallholder farmers connected to international markets • Higher-value crop training • Strengthened operations and governance.

Villa Andina

Peru • Andean Grains

Villa Andina is a Peruvian company that purchases quinoa and other Andean grains from smallholder farmers' associations, processes them at its Lima plant, and sells them in international markets. In 2011, Villa Andina partnered with GBF to scale operations through land acquisition, plant expansion, and increased working capital.

GBF's technical assistance strengthened financial management, corporate governance, operations, and strategic planning. By sourcing agricultural products from small-scale farmers, Villa Andina connects families to more lucrative markets and trains producers to grow higher-value goods. The partnership enabled the company to become a reliable buyer for farming communities while also providing access to premium international markets.

A person wearing a black bandana with white patterns, working with a grinding tool on an object, in an indoor workshop.

1,300 women artisans connected to global markets • 5x increase in artisan earnings • $400,000+ generated in payments • $3M follow-on capital mobilized

SOKO

Kenya • Ethical Fashion

SOKO was founded in Nairobi to connect talented women artisans to global fashion markets. These skilled craftswomen transform natural and recycled materials, such as cattle horn, brass, and more, into handcrafted jewellery for just-in-time orders from a global client base.

To scale the business and build the infrastructure needed for international growth, SOKO partnered with GBF for financing and technical assistance. GBF helped SOKO build a Virtual Resource Planner that digitized its entire supply chain, enabling efficient order fulfillment and providing mobile training for artisans. The technology has transformed how artisans work—they now retain 25-35% of jewellery revenues, compared with the industry standard of just 2-3%

Two women, sitting together indoors, are engaged in traditional basket weaving, with one woman in the foreground smiling at the camera and holding a partially completed woven item, and the other woman in the background focused on her work.

Rural women employed across Swaziland • 30-60% of sale price to artisans • Training and health workshops provided

Gone Rural

Swaziland • Fairtrade Crafts

Gone Rural was formed in 1992 to create employment for women in rural communities across Swaziland. Embracing social and environmental awareness, the company works with rural women to develop Fairtrade products that reach international markets. To strengthen financial planning and align capital structure with operational needs, Gone Rural partnered with GBF for additional advisory support.

GBF worked closely with management to develop financial forecasting tools that enabled sustainable growth planning. Female artisans directly earn 30-60% of the sale price of artisanal goods, which is remarkably high by international standards. Beyond income, their relationship with Gone Rural provides access to training and HIV-awareness workshops that strengthen entire communities.

A person in protective gear spraying chemicals in a cornfield.

77% revenue growth • 92% EBITDA growth • 11,000 farmers reached • 100% loan repayment • $24M farmer revenue generated

Chemicaland

Kenya • Agri-inputs

Chemicaland is a woman-owned Kenyan manufacturer and supplier of crop nutrition products, reaching over 10,000 smallholder farmers through a network of 200+ agrovet dealers and direct sales to horticultural farms. To accelerate growth and build robust systems for scale, Chemicaland partnered with GBF for investment and technical assistance.

GBF worked with the team to clarify senior management roles, create staff incentive schemes, develop strategic business plans, and implement financial systems, including accounting, cash flow management, and performance dashboards. The results were significant: annual revenue grew 77% and EBITDA grew 92%, while the company maintained 100% loan repayment compliance. Farmers using Chemicaland’s improved nutritional products have generated $24 million in revenue.

An Indian woman wearing traditional attire working on a weaving loom.

Thousands of artisans employed • 50%+ women weavers • Training, education & health benefits provided • Artisans empowered as entrepreneurs

Jaipur Rugs

India • Artisanal Rugs

Jaipur Rugs designs, markets, and supervises the production of artisanal rugs, maintaining impactful relationships with thousands of weavers - more than half of whom are lower-income rural women. The company provides inputs and equipment to artisans and, in some cases, loans to purchase looms, enabling families to build sustainable livelihoods.

To improve efficiency and prepare for market expansion, Jaipur Rugs partnered with GBF to strengthen operations. GBF worked with the company on inventory management, market entry strategy, and investment readiness. Beyond employment, Jaipur Rugs empowers low-income artisans to become entrepreneurs. The company’s foundation provides training, education, and health benefits to artisans and their families, creating impact that extends far beyond the workshop.

Three schoolgirls standing close together, smiling outdoors in school uniforms.

250,000+ girls empowered • Health education delivered at scale • $500K annual revenue • Sustainable social enterprise model

Zana Africa

Kenya • Health & Education

Across East Africa, millions of girls miss school every month due to a lack of access to menstrual products, a barrier that compounds over time, limiting education and economic opportunity. Zana Africa addresses this gap by providing affordable menstrual products paired with health education to underserved girls. To expand distribution and build health education networks at scale, Zana Africa partnered with GBF to secure financing and build capacity.

This combination of capital and technical assistance enabled Zana Africa to reach girls in underserved communities across East Africa, building a sustainable social enterprise model. Today, Zana Africa generates consistent revenue while keeping girls in school longer, improving educational outcomes, and creating brighter futures for hundreds of thousands of young women.

Awards & Recognitions

Impact Assets 50
GBF selected for the IA-50 leading the field in impact investing

Clinton Global Initiative
Recognition of GBF’s Commitment to Action

Inter-American Development Bank
Beyond Banking Socially Responsible/Impact Investment Award

Villgro Social Investor Award
Honoring the best in the innovation & social entrepreneurship ecosystem