To explore the feasibility of corporate partnerships for entrepreneurial ventures, this report investigates
the experiences of entrepreneurs who have successfully secured corporate procurement contracts in
various country contexts. Their journeys, best practices, and actionable strategies can serve as a roadmap
for entrepreneurs aspiring to navigate the complexities of corporate procurement. These case studies
not only highlight the innovative solutions these entrepreneurs have developed but also underscore the
importance of building strong relationships with corporations and understanding their procurement needs.

East Africa is emerging as a vibrant hub for climate innovation, with a growing number of innovators and stakeholders developing solutions to address the region’s pressing climate challenges. The region's unique combination of urgent climate needs, a burgeoning tech ecosystem, and an increasing focus on sustainability has attracted significant attention from investors looking to support the advancement of climate action.

Within the East Africa climate ecosystem, stakeholder networks and relationships are crucial for ensuring the successful implementation of climate action policy and innovative solutions. Effective collaboration across the diverse stakeholders shaping the East Africa climate ecosystem, is key to fostering a more integrated and impactful approach for tackling climate challenges. Several factors influence how these stakeholders interact and collaborate within the climate ecosystem. These include the availability of funding, policy frameworks, technological infrastructure, and the strength of local entrepreneurial support systems.

This study examines the dynamics of climate innovation in East Africa, with a focus on the interactions, relationships and networks among key climate stakeholders. Qualitative and quantitative data collection was used to identify the enablers, barriers, and support needs critical to fostering a mature and integrated climate innovation ecosystem in the region. The insights provided in this report are aimed at informing stakeholders on the varying factors shaping interactions among key players in the ecosystem. Greater awareness of these dynamics can help reduce fragmentation in adaptation and mitigation efforts, while also enhancing the scalability of climate solutions to drive increased impact and inclusivity in East Africa’s climate ecosystem.

Donor funding plays a crucial role in advancing development goals across East Africa, not least in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya. These nations have made significant strides toward inclusive economic growth and improved infrastructure to enhance social impact, in part, due to the support of international donors, development agencies and philanthropic funds. However, as multiple organisations fund similar initiatives across these regions, questions arise about coherence, alignment, and potential duplication of efforts.

In the face of data paucity and indicator opaqueness, we aim to address a hypothesis: a lack of donor coherence is causing suboptimal allocation of resources. By ‘donor coherence’ we mean the degree of alignment between the objectives, processes, and priorities of various funding bodies, aiming to avoid redundancy and ensure that resources are used efficiently. Financial contributions should aim to nurture dynamic entrepreneurial environments while ensuring more effective use of public funds.

This report explores how donor coherence in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya impacts resource distribution across sectors, identifying potential overlaps and assessing the implications of these strategies. By assessing the activities funded and the thematic areas supported, we can gain insights into how donor coherence affects the overall impact of development assistance in East Africa.