About us
Scaled Impact (NPC) is a project development social enterprise based in Johannesburg and Berlin.
Scaled Impact identifies, structures and implements high quality solutions and projects for economic growth in untapped industries throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. We do this on our own account as a project developer and as an advisor to third parties.
We focus (mainly) on projects that create markets for producers across the continent and have the greatest benefit for the poorest people. Despite the popular vision of Africa as the continent of endless, untapped veld there is a serious shortage of land. Either because it is owned and in very small parcels, or it is of too low quality to be cultivated. Where regulation is weak and oversight challenging, as in much of central Africa, farmers are expanding into forests, cutting back trees and reducing habitats and biodiversity. On top of the scarcity of land, yields are among the lowest in the world.
This is changing however and Scaled Impact is part of the solution. We create opportunities to unlock potential, protect biodiversity, make markets and raise incomes by taking a risk role and investing in the early stages, bringing the necessary parties together including site owners, technology specialists, operators and finance providers.
Our goal is a portfolio of commercial investments with high community integration driving long-term economic and social development across Southern Africa.
Our Approach
We take elements from existing development projects, mainly with an agricultural base and take them to scale by embedding them in a commercial framework. These elements can be some variety of the cropping methods developed, the infrastructure used, the processing technologies or storage and logistics concepts. We establish the agricultural and economic viability of potential projects and work with communities and partners in the value chain to structure operating models.
During the period of ramp up and growth from pilot status to full scale operation we provide end-to-end value chain co-ordination. This addresses the fundamental market failure that smaller scale farmers and supporting projects lack the scale and organization to be able to take their pilot projects and the lessons they have learned to the point where they have sustained revenues and bankable business cases. We fill this gap and in so doing create a pipeline of projects and cases for both development and commercial finance institutions to support.
Our People
Our team has built and run businesses and development programmes across Africa, Europe and Latin America
We have expertise in development strategy, project structuring, finance & industrial innovation
We have the capabilities, drive and long-term perspective needed to get value chains in Africa working.
Thabile is an environmental and water engineer with experience in economic development in rural communities.
She holds an MSc in Water and Coastal Management from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, an MSc in Environmental and Infrastructure Planning from the University of Groningen, Netherlands and a BSc in Environmental Geology from the University of Pretoria.
An MSc thesis was on the failure of water projects due to a focus on technical execution to the exclusion of social values.
She is based in Cameroon.
Thabile Mgwebi
Manager
Aobakwe holds an MSc in Freshwater Chemistry and Environmental monitoring from the University of the Witwatersrand.
She has experience in social impact measuring and monitoring, stakeholder engagement, SROI and environmental monitoring. She has also worked with land-owning communities to develop agri-wildlife economies, contributing to creating sustainable local economies through bio-diversity-based models.
She has an understanding of sustainable development practices and the importance of community involvement in driving socio-economic change. Aobakwe is committed to empowering under-served communities and helping people realize their true power.
Aobakwe Lenkwe
Associate
Anele studied Commerce at the University of Witwatersrand, specialized in marketing and human resources.
She has worked as a marketing expert and programme lead for several companies in SA including the Women Enabled Enterprises.
She is passionate about development and leads the operations of Umoya Foods, a Scaled Impact venture connecting smallholder farmers to high value retail markets.
Anele Mazibuko
Analyst
Manisha studied undergraduate economics at Saint Joseph's College. She studied for an MSc Economics at Symbiosis University. She further studied for an MA in public policy at the Hertie School of Governance.
She has run strategy projects in regional economic development and renewable energy supply and manufacturing.
Before joining Scaled Impact she was a research assistant with Water Health India where she structured and managed large data collection programmes.
Manisha Mathai
Associate
Chelsea studied sociology at the University of Johannesburg, sustainable development at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and human development and food security at University Roma Tre, Rome.
Her focus is on agricultural and sustainable social development initiatives. She has supported numerous projects for groups including the World Food Programme, the Carbon Advisory Service and Food & Trees for Africa.
Chelsea has particular interest and expertise in project development that supports rural communities, benefiting smaller players in value chains to improve overall food security.
Chelsea Paull
Director
Martin studied law and international political economy, both at the London School of Economics. He built the Africa practice of A.T. Kearney, advising organizations across the continent in telecoms, energy, mining and manufacturing.
He has worked as a commodity trader, a strategy consultant and managing director of an electronics company.
Martin has worked with large companies, government agencies and multilateral organizations across Europe, Africa and Asia to create new businesses, to restructure operations, to become more sustainable and to serve people better.
He is a non-resident fellow of the Global Public Policy Institute.
Martin Sprott
Director
David is a professional 'retired chap.'
He has a long career in managing chemicals plant operations and organizations primarily in Europe and Africa. Among other positions he was deputy CEO of African Explosives Limited and of DetNet, leading their manufacturing operations around the world.
He is an expert in establishing and running complex operations in emerging markets.
He can, occasionally, be found at the wheel of an Austin Healey.
David Harding
Senior advisor