Africa Grows

SAEDF has helped ABN rise to become a primary African broadcast network, with an estimated 120 million viewers in 23 African countries. TV Africa transmits educational material, centered on topics such as AIDS and HIV, along with entertainment programming.

As a result of SAEDF’s investment in 1999, TV Africa created a dynamic broadcast infrastructure that resulted in the creation of more than 120 jobs directly. Indirectly, TV Africa was instrumental in creating approximately 250 jobs through its 41 broadcast affiliates. TV Africa has also helped strengthen the African TV sector by boosting television advertising revenues. This boost has helped both public and private-sector stations to become more profitable. In 2001, SAEDF showed its commitment to TV Africa by assisting the network in its efforts to arrange $22.5 million in new funding.

Since SAEDF’s initial investment, ABN has developed the African Public Broadcast Foundation. The APBF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encourage and stimulate change across sub-Saharan Africa through terrestrial free-to-air television and radio broadcasting. The ultimate aim of the APBF is to provide sub-Saharan Africa’s estimated 600 million people with content designed to educate and motivate individuals to work for their own development.

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When SAEDF invested in Gili Greenworld Holdings in 2000, it gave the agribusiness the ability to thrive and grow by establishing a successful business model. Through this opportunity, previously unemployed local citizens are now able to own farm land and contribute to the nation’s harvest. In addition to receiving bonuses, those participating in the system are also paid dividends. Through SAEDF’s investment, Gili Greenworld Holdings, in turn, created wealth through equity.

In total, this SAEDF investment has helped to create 200 jobs forlocals, and created a farming system based on equitable land ownership. According to CEO Gil Arbol, “SAEDF’s patience and understanding of our company has helped us make a complete U-turn and come out of a normally ‘no go’ situation. Today I can honestly say we are on our original track due to SAEDF’s involvement.”

As a result of its success in the agribusiness industry, Gili Greenworld was also able to invest in the Goodhouse Paprika Project. This land reform project resulted in the harvesting of paprika to create a major export for South Africa. The spice is now sold and distributed to Europe, the United States, Mexico, the Far East and the Middle East.

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