The Rapid Appraisal of one AATIF Technical Assistance Facility investment in Tanzania evaluated the development, social, and environmental impacts of AATIF’s investment in Afcom Trading DMCC and Afrisian Ginning Ltd. within the cotton value chain in the Shinyanga region. The appraisal assessed outcomes across AATIF’s impact dimensions, including employment quality, primary agricultural production, local processing, trade, outreach to agricultural producers, environmental practices, and social and environmental management systems. Using a rapid, mixed-methods approach, the study generated baseline (and future endline) insights to inform AATIF’s investment decisions, strengthen sustainability practices, and support learning across its agribusiness portfolio.

MarketShare Associates (MSA) partnered with Tandem to deliver the rapid appraisal and provided technical leadership on impact measurement, systems-oriented analysis, and research quality assurance. MSA co-designed the appraisal methodology and supported the refinement of the theory of change and selection of decision-oriented indicators aligned with AATIF’s impact framework. The team developed and reviewed quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, ensuring gender- and youth-sensitive research practices were embedded throughout the design and implementation. MSA oversaw data quality assurance processes, conducted quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and contributed to sensemaking, synthesis, and reporting. MSA also applied its Simplified Attribution Tool to support contribution analysis and translated findings into actionable insights to inform AATIF’s investment management and future technical assistance programming.