Insights from the Project Acceleration Series on the urgent need for patient capital and ecosystem support
Author: Elena Domínguez, Engagement Officer iNovaland
On a warm afternoon during the fifth edition of the Project Acceleration Series (PAS), held on June 25th, by WWF BNS and iNovaland®, three African ventures – each deeply rooted in environmental restoration and social equity – came together to share their journeys. From the mangrove-lined coasts of Kenya to the sun-drenched savannas of Ghana and the ethically sourced beauty ingredients of West Africa, these projects are not only healing ecosystems but also transforming lives.
Yet, a common thread ran through their stories: the struggle to scale without compromising impact.
Meet the Projects
1. Tele-Bere Green AgroFarms (Ghana): Solar-Powered Food Security
Operating in Northern Ghana’s semi-arid savanna, Tele-Bere Green AgroFarms is revolutionizing smallholder agriculture with solar-powered irrigation systems. By harnessing abundant sunshine, they’ve enabled year-round farming, improved food security, and increased household incomes – especially for women, who make up 80% of their VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association) members.
Despite covering 300 hectares and raising $250,000 in funding, Tele-Bere faces steep barriers:
The question from Mark Kebo, Founder and Executive Secretary of Tele-Bere, to the group was poignant: How can we attract investment that values long-term impact over short-term returns?
2. Vlinder’s Papariko Project (Kenya): Blue Carbon with Community Roots
In Kenya, Vlinder Climate is restoring mangroves through its Papariko project, a community-based initiative that has already planted 260 hectares and aims to restore 1,500 hectares by 2027. Mangroves are climate powerhouses – and vital for biodiversity and coastal protection.
Vlinder’s model is ambitious: blending philanthropic grants with private investment to generate high-integrity carbon credits. But the challenges are real:
Robin Bartmann, COO at Vlinder, left a call to action for investors: We need value-aligned partners who understand that nature-based solutions take time and are worth it.
3. Yendy Skin (Ghana): Ethical Beauty with Transparent Supply Chains
Yendy Skin is redefining the beauty industry by building a fully traceable supply chain for African superfoods like shea butter, moringa, and hibiscus. The idea is that every product is backed by blockchain-verified provenance, ensuring ethical sourcing and empowering small-scale women producers.
Their products are science-backed, EU-compliant, and are already gaining traction in the UK market. But scaling this model – while maintaining deep social impact – is a challenge:
The question from Julian Boaitey, Founder at Yendy Skin, points to the relationship between the ends of the product value chain: How do we keep impact meaningful to our farming partners without transparency becoming a novel marketing gimmick?
Despite their diversity, these ventures share common hurdles:
These are not just projects – they are proof points that regeneration is possible. But without the right support, their potential will remain untapped.
A panel of seasoned experts joined the session to offer tailored advice on each project. Their insights underscored the importance of:
These exchanges highlighted the need for a supportive ecosystem – not just capital, but mentorship, policy alignment, and storytelling that connects impact to opportunity.
We share here some of their insights:
“The more organized and empowered the women farmers are, the stronger their negotiation power and more inclusive decision-making can be; and the more resilient Yendy’s supply chain becomes. Investing in women’s leadership isn’t just ethical, it is strategic for scaling impact and ensuring a sustainable value chain.”
Habiba Nyarko, Country Manager for Tony’s Chocolonely Open Chain
“Papariko’s strength lies in its community roots. To attract blue finance, it’s essential to show how local stewardship and biodiversity outcomes go hand in hand. Investors want to see that nature-based solutions are not only viable – but locally owned and enduring.”
Santatra Razafindratsimba, Blue Finance Lead at WWF Madagascar
“Tele-Bere’s use of VSLAs is a smart route to market – it strengthens local governance, builds creditworthiness, and creates a platform for technical capacity. If positioned as a scalable proof of concept, this model could unlock serious interest from funders looking for long-term, systemic impact.”
David Donnelly, Senior adviser on finance for Nature Based Solutions
The Project Acceleration Series reminded us that Africa’s green future is already being built – by farmers, entrepreneurs, communities, and scientists. What they need now is not just applause, but action.
If you’re an investor, policymaker, or ecosystem builder, the question is not why support these ventures – but how soon.
Because the roots are already growing. It’s time to help them flourish.
