Social Impact Project for Renewable-Powered Aggregation and Cold Chain for a Demand-Driven Fish Supply Chain in East Africa.

How This Works

As part of the TRANSFORM Support Hub, you will learn how to advance your career while getting hands on experience on projects like this one.

Project Description and Impact

About Samaking

Samaking is a tech-enabled company revolutionizing the fish value chain in East Africa by improving sustainable sourcing, processing, and distribution. We aim to make fish the #1 protein on African plates while improving the livelihoods of fish farmers and fisherfolk.

A major challenge in the African fish industry is the disconnect between supply and demand, leading to inefficiencies, high post-harvest losses (up to 40%), and inconsistent availability of high-quality fish. This is largely due to:

Fragmented and inefficient supply chains.
Limited cold chain infrastructure, making it difficult to maintain freshness and reduce spoilage.
Reliance on middlemen, which reduces farmers' incomes.

To solve this, Samaking is building a demand-driven fish supply chain that integrates renewable-powered aggregation and cold chain infrastructure. This approach ensures fish reaches consumers and businesses in top quality while reducing waste and stabilizing farmer incomes.

Why We Need Support

We are at a critical scaling stage and need funding and strategic support to develop the infrastructure and systems required for our next phase of growth. Specifically, we need assistance with:

Fundraising strategy: Identifying and securing the right mix of grants, impact investment, and concessional financing.
Investment case development: Refining our value proposition and financial model to attract funders.
Pitch materials & outreach: Developing compelling presentations and engagement plans for investors.
Grant applications: Writing and refining proposals to maximize chances of securing funding.

This project will not only transform Samaking’s operations but also set a precedent for climate-resilient, sustainable food supply chains in East Africa. Our long-term vision is to scale this model across the region, ensuring that fish farmers and fisherfolk have fair access to markets while consumers receive fresh, high-quality fish.

We believe that with the right strategic guidance and fundraising support, Samaking can unlock significant impact and financial sustainability, positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s climate-resilient blue economy.

Learning Opportunity

Working with Samaking on this project will provide a unique, high-impact learning experience in several key areas:

1. Understanding the Blue Economy & Sustainable Food Systems

Gain firsthand insights into Africa’s fish value chain, including sourcing, processing, distribution, and market challenges.
Learn about the role of climate-smart solutions (such as renewable-powered cold chains) in reducing post-harvest losses and improving food security.
Understand how a demand-driven supply chain model can transform livelihoods for fish farmers and fisherfolk.

2. Fundraising & Capital Strategy for Impact Ventures

Gain experience in developing a capital stack strategy, including grants, impact investment, concessional financing, and commercial capital.
Learn how to build a strong investment case for climate-resilient agribusinesses.
Work on real-world fundraising materials, including pitch decks, investor briefs, and grant proposals.
Engage with investors, development finance institutions, and grant-making organizations to understand their decision-making processes.

3. Scaling a Tech-Enabled Agribusiness in Emerging Markets

Experience how technology is leveraged to drive efficiencies in the fish supply chain (e.g., digital traceability, data-driven logistics).
Learn about the challenges and opportunities of operating in emerging markets, particularly in agribusiness and climate solutions.
Understand the strategic and operational considerations of scaling a business that combines physical infrastructure with digital innovation.

4. Real-World Problem Solving & High-Impact Work

Work on a project that directly contributes to sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in food security, economic growth, and climate action.
Collaborate with mission-driven entrepreneurs and industry experts working at the intersection of food systems, climate resilience, and business innovation.
Develop skills in market analysis, financial modeling, and investor engagement in a real-world context.

This project is an opportunity for experteers to apply their expertise in a meaningful way while gaining deep exposure to impact-driven business models and Africa’s evolving blue economy.