Stable markets contribute to stable communities. One Earth Future’s Shuraako program mobilizes capital investments to small and medium-sized enterprises in the Somali region to stimulate job creation and the expansion of a formalized and more responsible private sector. Shuraako, which means “partnership” in Somali, connects Somali region entrepreneurs to impact capital with aim to foster economic growth, create jobs, and promote stability and peace. Shuraako has been operating throughout the Somali peninsula since 2012.
Pioneering
One Earth Future is the first and only provider of sharia-compliant growth capital to small and medium-sized enterprises in the Horn of Africa. We fill the gap in services for our partners, who are too large for microfinance institutions and too small for foreign capital markets. Our investments complement the offerings of local financial institutions who provide short-term working capital and trade finance to SMEs, but on terms that restrict entrepreneurs’ options for expansion. We also maintain a pool of technical assistance funds to help our clients escape the trap of informality and achieve sustainable growth.
Unique
By offering tailored technical assistance solutions, Shuraako aims to not only address immediate concerns but also to build long-term resilience and competitiveness within its clients. Some of the aspects of our technical assistance includes formalization of business, documentation and record keeping, energy cost reduction by using solar energy, maximizing staff capacity, policy and guideline development and sustainability, and consideration of environmental, social, and governance principles.
Insightful
We work in a wide range of sectors throughout the Somali region, each of which has its own characteristics, risks, and returns. Because of our long-time presence there, Shuraako knows sectoral and regional contexts and advises investors and clients on avenues that will maximize gain and minimize risk. We currently work with entrepreneurs in agribusiness, water and sanitation, hospitality, construction, renewable energy, health care, services, transportation, fishing, and manufacturing and light industry.
While investment opportunities exist in fragile states, they often go ignored due to perceived risks. We identify enterprises that add value to the local economy by conducting on-the-ground due diligence and establishing strong relationships—the key to any successful investment. We match these selected entities with capital and manage post-investment responsibilities.
We curate initiatives in support of the private sector, including forums and conferences, and access to finance events. We convene investors to develop a robust and thriving private sector in the Somali region through impact investing.
We support and fund entrepreneurs in the market to provide key services and products to enable livelihoods and peace. We accelerate businesses by providing targeted training and technical assistance.
OEF partners with TrustWorks Global to track and analyze how OEF’s investments impact and are impacted by conflict. By monitoring and measuring how sectors, value chains, customers, and company resilience inter-relate with conflict dynamics, OEF can better manage risk, communicate impact to investors, and fulfill our compliance obligations in challenging operating environments.
Apply for a Loan
We connect entrepreneurs to capital by conducting thorough on-the-ground due diligence and managing post-investment execution. Learn about our investment criteria and apply for financing through the Nordic Horn of Africa Opportunities Fund.
Partner with us
The Nordic Fund currently has a pipeline of over $10 million of potential new investments and is currently in the process of working with its funding partners to seek additional investment in order to grow assets under management from its current base of $26 million to $50 million to $100 million over the next several years. We welcome potential investors. Please reach out to discuss partnering with us.
Our Current Fund
The Nordic Horn of Africa Opportunities Fund (or "Nordic Fund") is uniquely designed to advance development effects while generating a positive return on capital. This innovative impact fund is deploying risk capital to finance small and medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") located in the Somali peninsula with a focus on job creation and empowerment of female and youth entrepreneurs.