Agri Frontier Ltd

Agri Frontier Limited is an agri investment and agribusiness advisory firm specialised in helping to create world class farming and integrated agribusinesses across the value chain, with a focus on frontier markets, particularly in Africa.

The Product

Agri Frontier provides innovative solutions and true value-added services to investors and businesses operating in the Agri sector in diverse environments and situations.

They provide the following key services:

  • Investment facilitation, in particular, assisting businesses to become ‘investment ready’ (expansion capital or outright sale) in order to raise finance (grant, debt and equity)
  • Identification of investment opportunities within the agricultural sector for a range of investors
  • Merger and acquisition services, including commercial due diligence and post-acquisition support
  • Supporting UK agribusinesses to enter the African market and/or African businesses to enter the UK market
  • Development of strategy and business plans
  • Feasibility studies
  • Business valuations

Agri Frontier is purposely specialised in terms of sector and geography, allowing them to provide a comprehensive solution to the agribusiness sector and its different participants. They have a depth of knowledge and experience that is unrivalled, allowing them to add value from the field to the boardroom. Typical clients range from family owned to corporate farming businesses in Africa as well as Impact, Developmental and Private Equity investors.

They believe that by supporting the growth of agribusinesses, by indirectly promoting long term and sustainable economic growth in developing nations, they enrich people’s livelihoods through job creation, better standards of living and food security.

Agri Frontier aspires to become the leading agribusiness consulting, investment and advisory business across Africa. They are currently raising an AgriTech Africa Growth Fund targeting the SME AgriTech sector, focused on East Africa.

Main challenge of being an entrepreneur

Andrew believes it is finding the right people to help grow the business. He commented, “It is easy to find people with skills, but it was more important to find people who have the right cultural fit. I spent months pouring over potential resumes to identify candidates who would create the future style and personality of the company. I look for internationally minded, dynamic and confident individuals, who at the same time are easy going and have a can-do attitude. Recruiting people who can thrive in a fast-paced, high adaptability environment is a challenge.”

On working with Farm491

Andrew Ritchie said, “We have an office in Nairobi, but required a UK based flexible co-working space that would cater for future growth. Farm491 not only provides this, but also provides links to many agri opportunities, events and international delegations. It also allows us to be part of a co-working space for networking and valuable contacts. The Farm491 “Innovation Hub” provided us inspiration to certain aspects we have included in our Africa Growth Fund, including co-working space, mentoring, training, incubation and investment facilitation.”