Impact Footprints Africa

Impact Footprints Africa (IFA) is a Ghanaian NGO which originated from the UK-registered charity, Footprints Africa. Officially incorporated in 2024, IFA drives the mission of Footprints Africa with particular focus on the agribusiness sector through programmes that facilitate innovation, inclusion of the informal sector and transition of linear business models into circular business models. IFA continuously champion the mapping of circular initiatives and measurement of business impact through trainings as well as the use of streamlined tools. The focus of IFA, in transitioning businesses to circular economy offers substantial potential to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and foster sustainable livelihoods. IFA believes that, by equipping agribusinesses with the necessary knowledge, resources, and innovative tools, it is possible to build greater resilience within the sector. Additionally, empowering women in agribusiness can drive economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote inclusive development, contributing to long-term social and economic progress.

Goals:

 Train 1,000 informal agribusiness workers, including 60% women, in business management, financial literacy, and sustainable practices by 2030.

 Enable 500 agribusinesses to adopt at least one circular economy practice (e.g., composting, waste-to-value systems) by 2030.

 Empower 500 women in the agribusiness sector through leadership training and access to microfinance programmes by 2030.

 Create 10,000 new job opportunities in the agribusiness value chain by supporting small-scale enterprises by 2030.

Mission

To drive systemic change in agribusiness by empowering informal, especially women-owned, businesses through capacity building, resource access, and circular business innovations.

Past Activities

Alumni Circular Economy Programme funded by Myriad: This was an 8-month business support programme that supported 12 Companies with a cumulative total of over 60 informal workers to transition from linear business models to circular business models. This contributed in improving their environmental impact and the livelihood of informal workers with an average of 43% circularity attainment for each participating company.

Go Circular Programme funded by GIZ: This was a 5-month business support programme aimed at eliminating single-use plastic from the operations of 10 food retail businesses with a cumulative total of 100 workers. The programme successfully achieved an average of 30% reduction in plastic reliance by the programme participants against an initial target of 5%.

Current Activities

Pan African Circular (PAC) programme (funding yet to be secured): Impact Footprints Africa (IFA) in collaboration with the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) is running this programme to accelerate the transition of African agribusinesses toward a circular economy. Targeting 20 high-potential SMEs from Kenya and South Africa, this 9-month programme combines capacity building, tailored mentorship, and hands-on implementation support. The programme will bridge gaps in circularity knowledge, operational efficiency, and environmental impact.

Future Planned Activities

PAC programme implementation across 5 other African countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroon and Rwanda