Why we care
The majority of African farmers operate on small-scale or smallholder farms. With only a few acres to cultivate and limited access to markets, they are vulnerable to economic and climate shocks. In fact, most of these small-scale farmers only produce at a subsistence level, only making enough food to feed their families.
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, some 500 million hardworking farmers and their families work on farm holdings smaller than 2 hectares (5 acres). Despite their small scale, these smallholder farmers grow the food that feeds their nations, contributing up to 80% of the region's food supply.
Small-scale farmers have some of the riskiest and toughest jobs in the world.
One drought, flood, or pest invasion and their season’s harvest is ruined. With just one or two yields annually, they are vulnerable to hunger, poverty, and the effects of extreme weather due to climate change.
Regenerative agriculture practices like composting, intercropping, and agroforestry help farmers protect their plots against drought and erosion while building the soil’s long-term resilience. As farmers produce higher quality and quantity food, they can earn more income and nourish their communities.
What we do
The HEINEKEN Africa Foundation empowers small-scale farmers to improve the health and productivity of their land, and thrive despite climate shocks while improving their economic and social well-being.
Our programs give farmers the tools to transform their lives through training on regenerative farming practices, providing access to farming inputs like seeds, mechanisation, and small livestock, in addition to connecting them with channels to sell their produce at market.
We aim to empower small-scale farmers to thrive by developing three key elements of resilience:
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Social Resilience
Improving farmer quality of life, providing equal access to resources for women and young adults, and positively impacting farming communities.
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Economic Resilience
Increasing farmer incomes to grow livelihoods from subsistence farming to having a surplus to sell, and diversifying their farm business activities.
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Environmental Resilience
Supporting farmers’ ability to cope with more intense weather through regenerative agriculture practices for soil health.
Since our start in 2007, we have committed more than €20 million to over 150 projects through our endowment fund, continually re-investing in sub-Saharan African communities each year.
We know that complex challenges demand community-centric, innovative, long-term solutions. So we partner with local and international NGOs to deliver projects that last at least 3 years to build empowered, prosperous, and resilient communities.
How we work
The Foundation funds projects in the sub-Saharan African countries where the HEINEKEN Company is present. This allows us to ensure our projects fit the local needs and context of each country by using our local operational knowledge and existing connections to deliver our impact fully.
Countries we serve
The Foundation is run by the General and Program Managers who are assisted and supported by a range of highly motivated people working for HEINEKEN in the African operating companies and at Head Office Amsterdam.
Meet our team
Suzanne Giele
GENERAL MANAGER
With a master's degree in communications and linguistics, Suzanne started her career in commercial roles with TNT and HEINEKEN. She then moved to corporate philanthropy with the aim to leverage the power and presence of corporates as a force for good. As General Manager of the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation for nearly a decade, she provides the vision, direction and motivation necessary to ensure the Foundation’s success covering several countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Hayley Barone
PROGRAM MANAGER
With a background that spans neuroscience, health & safety, and communications, Hayley is passionate about people. Originally from the USA, she lived in the Philippines as a child and learned the importance of giving back to the communities in which we live through volunteer work. As program manager, she ensures the smooth implementation and delivery of our community programs while communicating our strategy and achievements internally and externally.
Meet our Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for decision making and depend on the diverse range of expertise provided by the Advisory Board.
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Bilikiss was educated in the USA, holding an MBA from MIT Sloan. After a successful corporate career, she returned to Lagos and founded WeCyclers, a social enterprise for waste collection & recycling. Transitioning to the public sector, she is Director General of the Lagos State Records and Archives. She served 5 years as a trustee of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
As Company Secretary & Corporate Legal Director, Anne Marie provides legal advice to the Executive & Supervisory Boards regarding corporate law, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. She also initiated a Pro Bono program within HEINEKEN, to provide legal advice to people & charities in need. Starting her career in a law firm, she joined HEINEKEN in 2011, fulfilling several legal roles in the company.
Anne Marie van der Waal
BOARD MEMBER
With a master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Jan Paul has worked in New Caledonia, UK, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. He has held Supply Chain Director roles in La Reunion, Congo, DRC and a combined role in France, Italy & Switzerland. In 2017, he was Regional Supply Chain Director for Asia Pacific and since 2023 he has held the same position for the Africa & Middle East region.
Jan Paul Boon
BOARD MEMBER
Marc is a retired & experienced Financial Director with a successful career working over 30 years in the food & beverages industry in seven countries as a regional or operational Finance director. He has led successful business integrations in Zaire, Hungary, Poland, and Mexico, as well as leading a diverse team of over 100 internal business specialists.
Marc Goumans
TREASURER
Contact us
HEINEKEN Africa Foundation
Tweede Weteringplantsoen 21
1017 ZD Amsterdam
ANBI Registered
KvK#: 34289381
RSIN: 818803319
Please note, we do not accept unsolicited proposals to fund projects or charitable initiatives.