Profile

Established in October 1994, the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF) is an initiative of the Former President William Jefferson Clinton of the United States, Former President Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South Africa, and the US Congress for the specific purpose of providing funding to stimulate the creation and expansion of small and medium-size indigenous businesses throughout southern Africa. This was part of the Initiative for Southern Africa (ISA) which reflects USAID’s recognition of the southern Africa region’s economic potential and its desire to reinforce South Africa’s democratic transition as a model for the rest of the continent.

The Honorable Andrew Young, former Congressman, Mayor, US Ambassador to the United Nations and civil rights leader, was appointed as Chairman by President Clinton.

SAEDF is an enterprise fund whose primary objective is to assist the countries of the southern African region with the specific purpose of providing funding to stimulate the creation and expansion of small and medium-size indigenous businesses throughout southern Africa. The promotion of enterprise development is expected to stimulate social development and have economic impact in the region.

SAEDF provides wholesale and retail long-term risk capital to promising enterprises from the indigenous groups that might otherwise have been ignored by potential investors in the general marketplace. It also co-invests with other institutions or organizations that share the same investment objectives.