Giving Back
What is the African Food Business Fund?
The African Food Business Fund is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to sustainably supporting marginalised small and medium-sized African food businesses in Cape Town. Through targeted financial assistance, advocacy, and strategic connections with the tourism sector, the Fund nurtures the development of a thriving ecosystem for African food enterprises. We celebrate Cape Town’s rich and diverse African culinary heritage while ensuring inclusive support for local and diaspora food entrepreneurs. Our aim is to empower these businesses, preserve traditional food cultures, and promote equitable opportunities in a rapidly gentrifying city.
How Can You Support?
There are several ways to support our mission of creating a more inclusive and equitable tourism economy in Cape Town. Here’s how you can become part of the journey.
OUR IMPACT IS BUILT INTO OUR BUSINESS MODEL
Unlike traditional tourism models that rely on charitable add-ons or one-off donations, impact at Unexplored is intentionally built into every experience we create.
Our internationally recognised approach to Tourism 2.0 was recognised with a Silver ICRT Global Responsible Tourism Award at WTM Africa 2026 for Cultural Diversity.
Every booking directly supports a network of independent food entrepreneurs, community kitchens, informal traders and heritage food businesses across Cape Town.
By connecting travellers with the people who feed the city, we create economic opportunities, strengthen social cohesion and help preserve Cape Town’s diverse culinary heritage.
At Unexplored, impact is not an afterthought. It is the business model itself.
Donate
If you would like to support the African Food Business Fund directly, you are welcome to make a contribution. Every donation helps strengthen and support African-owned food businesses, food entrepreneurs and community-led food initiatives in Cape Town.
What We Do with the Donations
100% of your donations go directly to supporting small African food businesses in Cape Town’s city centre. Right now, we’re focusing on providing essential kitchen equipment to help improve operations and reduce overhead costs for these businesses.
But that’s just the start. Our vision is to provide even more support by offering:
Financial Education
Empowering ghost kitchens and restaurants with the knowledge they need to thrive.
Skill Development
Offering training and workshops to improve operational efficiency.
Marketing and Branding Services
Helping businesses strengthen their visibility and customer base.
Community Building Events
Creating opportunities for networking and collaboration within the African food sector.
We’re currently in the ideation phase and are gathering insights to better understand the needs of our beneficiaries, so we can tailor our services to be as impactful as possible.
Mission
Our mission is to provide sustainable support to marginalized small and medium-sized African food businesses in Cape Town. We focus on advocacy and the promotion (or preservation) of Cape Town’s diverse African culinary heritage. Our efforts inclusively support both local and diaspora communities. We are committed to offering financial aid, facilitating connections with the tourism industry, and fostering a thriving ecosystem for African food businesses.
Vision
Our vision for the African Food Fund is to sustainably empower local and African diaspora SMEs through continued financial support and ecosystem development. We aim to inclusively and tangibly preserve Cape Town’s diverse culinary heritage, while ensuring that all African food businesses have the opportunity to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Our Commitment
What We Stand For
We are deeply committed to inclusivity, economic equity, and the preservation of Cape Town’s diverse food cultures. By bridging the gaps for marginalized local and African food businesses, we create opportunities for all entrepreneurs to succeed.
How We Make It Happen
We support all local and African food businesses in Cape Town, with a special focus on diaspora SMEs. Our goal is to promote fair and equitable opportunities for all, while fostering a cooperative economy that benefits food entrepreneurs and society as a whole. We believe in celebrating South Africa’s rich culinary heritage and ensuring it continues to thrive for generations to come.
Join Us in Making an Impact
Your support goes beyond just food—it’s about preserving cultures, empowering communities, and creating a more sustainable and equitable future for Cape Town’s food entrepreneurs.
Together, we can build a thriving food ecosystem celebrating our diverse African culinary traditions. Book an experience, donate today, and help us make a lasting impact!
