KadAfrica

KadAfrica is a socially-driven agribusiness operating in Uganda, focused on creating economic self-sufficiency for marginalized young women through passion fruit farming. The company was founded by Eric and Rebecca Kaduru and was incorporated in May 2011, starting as a small horticulture project in Fort Portal. Eric Kaduru, who had a background in advertising, and Rebecca, a development professional with experience in program evaluation, transitioned into agriculture after identifying a market opportunity in passion fruit. Their direct experience with female farm workers, who were often the primary breadwinners yet lacked financial control, inspired the company's social mission.

The business operates on a hybrid model that combines a for-profit commercial farm with a non-profit arm that implements the "KadAfrica Experience." This proprietary curriculum provides out-of-school girls and young women, aged 14-24, with a 12-month training program. The training covers not only the agricultural techniques for passion fruit cultivation but also essential life skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and health education. KadAfrica distinguishes itself by addressing land ownership barriers for women; it partners with local institutions like churches to lease land, which is then provided to the program participants to start their own farming cooperatives.

KadAfrica's revenue is generated through a vertically integrated value chain. The company acts as a guaranteed buyer for all the high-quality passion fruit produced by its network of female agripreneurs, purchasing the fruit at fair market prices. This fruit is then processed into pulp at KadAfrica's own facility in Fort Portal, which reduces transport costs and post-harvest losses. The final product, passion fruit pulp, is sold to a diverse client base that includes local hospitality businesses, beverage companies like Coca-Cola, commodity traders in Kampala, and even international markets in the United Kingdom. By shortening the value chain and connecting smallholder farmers directly to end markets, KadAfrica ensures better and more stable incomes for the women in its program, who have seen up to a five-fold increase in their earnings.

Keywords: agribusiness, social enterprise, passion fruit farming, Uganda, women empowerment, youth employment, agricultural value chain, smallholder farmers, out-grower network, financial literacy, rural development, sustainable agriculture, agripreneurship, community development, passion fruit pulp, economic opportunity, land access, girls education, social impact, East Africa