Nairobi, Kenya – [January 13, 2025] – World Resources Institute Africa (WRI Africa) has announced a $4 million investment in Barka Fund to accelerate large-scale land restoration and sustainable economic growth across Africa. This funding complements an $8 million investment from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and seed funding from the Bezos Earth Fund, and it aligns with WRI’s commitment to fostering Africa’s environmental resilience and empowering local institutions. 

Founded in 2020, Barka Fund is an early-stage impact venture fund investing in African entrepreneurs whose companies combat climate change in their communities. WRI Africa and Barka Fund share a vision of demonstrating that African businesses can restore land while achieving profitability. 

Supported by donors to The Audacious Project, WRI Africa’s $4 million allocation contributes to Barka Fund's larger $20 million funding goal to catalyze African-led and Africa-focused restoration initiatives. The investment builds on WRI Africa’s TerraFund, a financing program for restoration enterprises that has facilitated 39 debt and equity investments worth $5 million in partnership with Realize Impact. Since 2021, Barka Fund has advised TerraFund, deepening their collaboration to advance restoration and sustainable economic growth across the continent. 

“WRI Africa's early partnership through TerraFund has been transformative for us as a first-time fund manager”, said Rekia Foudel, Managing Partner at Barka Fund. “Their trust and support have been instrumental in helping Barka Fund build a strong track record and establish our credibility in the ecosystem. We are deeply grateful for this foundation, which now enables us to fulfill our mission of channeling vital investment to brilliant entrepreneurs who have long been underserved by traditional funding channels." 

This investment also deepens WRI Africa’s partnership with Barka Fund on training and investing in restoration enterprises, enhancing their capacities and preparing them for expansion. Barka Fund supports each prospect in its pipeline with tailored training and mentorship, benefitting TerraFund partners like Kenyan avocado processor Afrex Gold and Malian moringa grower Herou Alliance.  

"Barka Fund, as a fund led by and for African women, exemplifies the leadership and innovation needed to restore degraded landscapes on the continent," said Rebekah Shirley, Deputy Director, WRI Africa. "WRI’s investment sends a strong message to funders that Africa’s young institutions, staffed with experienced professionals, are not only key to creating sustainable change – they are ready and able."  

By supporting African-led funds like Barka, WRI aims to encourage more funders to recognize the low-risk, high-reward potential of investing in emerging African institutions driving sustainable development.  

A New Standard for Transparency in Restoration Investments 

Barka Fund prioritizes high-quality restoration enterprises that meet WRI’s impact standards, dedicating one-third of its portfolio to restoration investments alongside sustainable agriculture and renewable energy projects.  

To ensure transparency, the fund leverages TerraMatch — a WRI-developed platform and approach — to track environmental, social, and financial outcomes using a standardized monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system. 

The fund projects the following restoration impact throughout its 12-year lifespan: 

  • Trees Restored: 1,664,000 

  • Hectares Under Restoration: 3,456 

  • Jobs Created: 768 

  • CO₂ Sequestered: 107,520 metric tons 

 

These targets contribute to the continent-wide AFR100 goal to restore 100 million hectares of degraded and deforested land. 

“The Bezos Earth Fund is thrilled to see increased investment in Barka Fund—including in its monitoring capabilities,” said Emily Averna, Associate Director, Land Restoration, Bezos Earth Fund. “Rigorous monitoring and increased finance go hand in hand. Together, Barka Fund and WRI Africa will build the evidence base needed to take Africa’s restoration economy to the next level.” 

 

CONTACT: 

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: Mercy Orengo, Editorial Associate, World Resources Institute at mercy.orengo@wri.org 
 

About World Resources Institute (WRI) 
WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet people’s essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities. We aim to fundamentally transform the way the world produces and uses food and energy and designs its cities to create a better future for all. Founded in 1982, WRI has nearly 2,000 staff around the world, with country offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States and regional offices in Africa and Europe. Visit https://africa.wri.org for more information. 

About Barka Fund 
Barka Fund is an early-stage impact venture fund investing in African entrepreneurs who are building companies that mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change in their communities. Barka focuses on the "missing middle" of the financial spectrum, tapping into an underserved yet promising market segment of enterprises that face unique financing challenges and opportunities across Africa. 

The fund's investment strategy leverages partnerships with leading incubators and accelerators, capitalizing on their robust screening, selection, and mentorship programs to identify high-growth, climate-focused startups. Through its pre-investment readiness program, Barka carefully evaluates and prepares companies for investment, offering flexible financing solutions that combine equity and debt instruments. This adaptable approach ensures appropriate capital structures that align with each company's growth trajectory and diverse needs. 

As a patient capital provider and “investor plus,” Barka Fund builds enduring partnerships with portfolio companies, extending beyond capital deployment to create lasting value and support sustainable environmental impact. Visit https://barkafund.com/ for more information.