DFCD intends to support Warc in addressing environmental risks and improving market access for smallholder farmers
The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD), through its Origination Facility, intends to support Warc Africa in strengthening the climate resilience, quality management and responsible growth of its maize-sourcing operations in Uganda.
Warc Africa is a first-mile agricultural aggregation business that purchases agricultural commodities directly from smallholder farmers through locally based trading hubs and supplies them to commercial buyers. The company established its Ugandan entity in 2025 and has completed two agricultural seasons through 12 hubs in Masindi and Kiryandongo Districts, with plans to expand into Amuru District and the Lango sub-region.
The DFCD Origination Facility, managed by WWF-NL and SNV, supports the development of investment-ready projects with a strong climate resilience and impact focus. The proposed project was developed through joint WWF and FMO due diligence and focuses on strengthening climate adaptation, quality management, farmer traceability, responsible sourcing and environmental and social practices across Warc's sourcing network.
Warc's principal challenge is managing the impact of increasingly erratic rainfall on maize production. These conditions can contribute to aflatoxin contamination, a fungus-related issue that can develop when maize is grown, harvested, dried or stored under unsuitable conditions. Aflatoxin is both a commercial challenge and a potential food-safety concern for farming communities.
Maize that does not meet buyer quality requirements cannot access premium markets, limiting income opportunities for farmers. As Warc expands its operations in Uganda, it also requires stronger systems for farmer mapping, traceability, and the identification of climate, biodiversity and social risks across current and future sourcing areas. Addressing these challenges will help improve supply reliability, strengthen farmer resilience and support access to future investment.
Across Uganda's northern savannahs and western rift landscapes, maize plays an important role in food security and rural livelihoods. Practices such as intercropping maize with beans and other climate-resilient crops can help diversify incomes, strengthen food security and improve resilience to climate-related shocks.
Warc's trading hubs provide a direct link between farming communities and commercial buyers. Through these hubs, farmers can access transparent weighing systems, mobile payments, training and market opportunities. Improving maize quality can strengthen Warc's supply reliability while creating financial incentives for farmers to adopt better harvesting, drying and post-harvest practices. Warc also supplies a range of buyers across Uganda, providing market opportunities for different maize-quality grades as the company works to improve aflatoxin management.
In the proposed DFCD Origination Facility project, WWF Uganda and WWF-NL will support Warc through the following activities:
Securing investment following the Origination project will help Warc achieve the following:
“We’re very excited about DFCD’s support, especially at this early stage of our journey in Uganda. While we bring 15 years of experience serving farmers and operating at the first mile, we’re always learning and adapting.
In Uganda, quality matters—to farmers, buyers, and consumers alike. Climate resilience matters too, but farmers need healthy markets to support investments in crop diversification and regenerative farming.
Fortunately, complex challenges such as aflatoxin management don’t require complex solutions. Warc’s permanent presence in farming communities, combined with operational excellence, transparency, and honesty, helps us build the trust needed to deliver lasting impact.”
– Christopher Zaw, CEO & Partner, Warc Africa
“Uganda’s maize farmers face a problem that is both agricultural and commercial. The risk of aflatoxin, once it shows up, means farmers lose access to the premium markets that reward good practice. Warc’s trading hubs already give smallholders a direct line to buyers; what has been missing is the traceability and quality systems to turn that access into steady income. Mapping and better farmer screening will let W spot climate and biodiversity risk before it disrupts sourcing, while training in aflatoxin mitigation and post-harvest handling gives farmers the tools to meet buyer standards on their own. It is exactly in these areas that DFCD’s grant and technical assistance is additional. We take businesses with real potential and get them to investment readiness.”
– Dr. Abubakar Lewano, DFCD Regional Lead for Africa, WWF-Kenya
With DFCD support, Warc will strengthen its approach to aflatoxin management through climate-resilient agricultural practices while establishing the farmer-engagement, traceability and risk-management systems needed for its planned expansion in Uganda. Climate, biodiversity and social-risk information will be integrated into the company's management and reporting systems, helping support future growth and the implementation of environmental and social requirements associated with potential investment. By mobilising additional capital, Warc aims to expand its reach, support farming communities and strengthen climate-resilient agricultural practices in Uganda and beyond.
For more information, please contact:
Abubakar Lewano
DFCD Regional Lead for Africa
alewano@wwfkenya.org
In case you have any grievances in relation to this project of the DFCD’s Origination Facility, please contact the service desk at servicedesk@wwf.nl.
The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) is a climate fund, dedicated to supporting climate adaptation and mitigation projects which benefit vulnerable communities and landscapes. Initially funded by the Dutch government, it is powered by a consortium of four expert organisations: FMO (Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank), CFM (Climate Fund Managers), SNV, a global development partner, and WWF Netherlands.
