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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 6, 2023

 

African Agriculture Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

  001-40722   98-1594494
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

  

445 Park Avenue, Ninth Floor
New York, NY 
  10022 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(212) 307-3154

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

  

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share   AAGR   Nasdaq Global Market
Warrants, each exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   AAGRW   Nasdaq Global Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Note

 

On December 6, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (f/k/a 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II) (the “Company”) consummated the previously-announced transactions (collectively, the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 2, 2022, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 3, 2023 and that certain Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 29, 2023 (as further amended from time to time the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, African Agriculture, Inc. (“AFRAG”), and 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”).

 

Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the Company carried out a pre-closing reorganization (the “Domestication”) pursuant to which (i) the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation was changed from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware, (ii) the Company changed its name to “African Agriculture Holdings Inc”, (iii) each issued and outstanding Class A ordinary share of the Company was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Class A common stock of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”), (iv) each issued and outstanding Class B ordinary share of the Company was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Class B common stock of the Company (the “Class B Common Stock”), and (v) each issued and outstanding whole warrant to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company became exercisable for Class A Common Stock beginning 30 days after the Closing Date at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.

 

At the Closing, Merger Sub merged with and into AFRAG, with AFRAG being the surviving company. After giving effect to such merger, AFRAG became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. At Closing, (i) each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock then issued and outstanding was automatically reclassified, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Common Stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) and (ii) each share of common stock of AFRAG issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing was automatically converted into the right to receive the number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

At the Closing, each restricted stock unit issued by AFRAG that was outstanding immediately prior to Closing was automatically cancelled and converted into a restricted stock unit of the Company at the applicable exchange ratio as set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

Certain terms used in this Current Report have the same meanings as set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on October 30, 2023, Registration No. 333-269342 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”).

 

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Unless the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to African Agriculture Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries. All references herein to the “Board” refer to the board of directors of the Company. All references to “10X II” refer to the Company before the Closing.

 

Item 2.01 of this Current Report discusses the Closing and various other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

 

On the Closing Date, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination and as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company, 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC (the “Sponsor”), the members of the Sponsor, and certain former stockholders of AFRAG entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to file, not later than 30 days after the Closing Date, a registration statement to register for resale, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), certain Company securities that are held by the parties thereto (the “Registrable Securities”). Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions, the Company also granted piggyback registration rights and demand registration rights to the parties thereto, will pay certain expenses related to such registration and will indemnify the parties thereto against certain liabilities related to such registration. The Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement will terminate with respect to any party thereto, on the date that such party no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The terms of the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Business Combination Proposal – Related Agreements – Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement” of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

In connection with the Business Combination, 10X II and certain AFRAG stockholders entered into lockup agreements pursuant to which such stockholders agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to (i) not transfer for a period ending six months after Closing, with respect to all shares of Common Stock held by such stockholder immediately after the Closing (together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted, the “Lock-Up Shares”), (ii) for a period beginning six months after Closing and ending twelve months after Closing (the “Second Lock-up Period”) such stockholders will be subject to a lock-up with respect to one-third of the Lock-Up Shares; provided that the lock-up shall expire upon the date on which the last reported sale price of the shares of Common Stock exceeds $12.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period during the Second Lock-up Period, and (iii) for a period beginning six months after Closing and ending upon the latter of (a) twelve months after closing and (b) the date upon which the Company enters into an Offtake Agreement (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) such stockholders will be subject to a lock-up with respect to one-third of the Lock-Up Shares.

 

The foregoing description of the lock-up agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of lock-up agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Indemnity Agreements

 

Upon the Closing, on December 6, 2023, the Company entered into indemnity agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These indemnity agreements require the Company to indemnify its directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of the Company’s directors or executive officers or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at the Company’s request.

 

2

 

 

The foregoing description of the indemnity agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of indemnity agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.32 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01. The material terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal — The Merger Agreement,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

At a special meeting of the stockholders of 10X II held on December 5, 2023 (the “Special Meeting”), the Company’s stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, the Merger Agreement. On December 6, 2023 the parties completed the Business Combination.

 

At the Special Meeting, holders of 1,857,033 shares of 10X II’s common stock sold in 10X II’s initial public offering (“Public Shares”) exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of approximately $10.62 per share, for an aggregate of approximately $19,720,740.08. The per share redemption price of $10.62 for holders of Public Shares electing redemption was paid out of 10X II’s Trust Account, which, after taking into account the redemption but before payment of any transaction expenses, had a balance immediately prior to the Closing of approximately $2,887,743.

 

Immediately after giving effect to the Business Combination (including as a result of the Domestication and the redemptions described above), there were approximately 57,866,830 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and warrants to purchase approximately 6,884,899 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

Prior to the Closing, each issued and outstanding 10X II unit that had not been previously separated into the underlying Class A ordinary share and the underlying one-third of one 10X II warrant prior to the Domestication was cancelled and each holder thereof was issued one share of Common Stock and one-third of one warrant, with such whole warrant representing the right to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. As a result of the Closing, 10X II’s units automatically separated into the component securities and, as a result, are no longer traded as a separate security and have been delisted. On December 7, 2023, our Common Stock and public warrants began trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) under the trading symbols “AAGR” and “AAGRW,” respectively.

 

Upon the closing of the Business Combination, 10X II’s second amended and restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, dated November 9, 2022, was replaced with the certificate of incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate”), which, among other things, reclassified all shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock as Common Stock. Item 3.03 of this Current Report discusses the Certificate, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Merger Agreement, as amended, a copy of which is included as Exhibits 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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FORM 10 INFORMATION

 

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the registrant was a shell company, as 10X was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, we are providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if we were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the combined company after the Company’s acquisition of AFRAG in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

 

Forward-Looking Statements 

 

The statements contained in this Current Report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this Current Report may include, for example, statements about:

 

the benefits of the Business Combination;

 

the future financial performance of the combined company;

 

expansion plans and opportunities; and

 

other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may,” “can,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expression.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

our ability to maintain the listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq;

 

our ability to raise financing in the future;

 

our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading;

 

changes adversely affecting our business;

 

unfavorable conditions or disruptions in the capital and credit markets;

 

our inability to forecast trends accurately;

 

our ability to generate cash, service indebtedness and incur additional indebtedness;

 

restrictive covenants that may limit our business and our ability to engage in certain corporate and financial transactions;

 

our ability to obtain capital on commercially reasonable terms;

 

fluctuations in our revenue and operating results;

 

competition from existing or new competitors;

 

risks associated with security breaches in our information technology systems;

 

4

 

 

our success in retaining or recruiting management and key employees;

 

risks related to legal proceedings or claims, including liability claims;

 

risks related to labor disputes;

 

risks associated with changes in federal, state, or local laws;

 

risks associated with potential costs of regulatory compliance;

 

risk resulting from the impact of global pandemics, including the novel coronavirus, COVID-19; and

 

other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Business and Properties

 

Our business and properties are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Information About AFRAG” and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Risk Factors

 

The risks associated with our business are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Information

 

The information set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the financial information of 10X II and AFRAG is incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of 10X II and AFRAG as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and for year ended December 31, 2022 is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of 10X II for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “10X II’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of 10X II for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 is set forth in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of 10X II’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 27, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of AFRAG for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “AFRAG’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of AFRAG for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 is set forth in Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock upon the closing of the Business Combination by:

 

  each person who is known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock;
     
  each of the Company’s executive officers and directors;
     
  all executive officers and directors of the Company, as a group.

 

The beneficial ownership of common stock of the Company is based on 57,866,830 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, and assumes the issuance of all shares to which the former stockholders of AFRAG are entitled pursuant to the Business Combination.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within sixty (60) days.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them. 

 

Name of Beneficial Owner(1)  Number of Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
   Percentage of
Outstanding
Common Stock
 
Directors and Executive Officers        
Alan Kessler(2)   6,923    * 
Harry Green(3)   198,297    * 
Russell Read(4)   25,209    * 
Orim Graves(4)   25,209    * 
Daphne Michelle Titus(4)   25,209    * 
Ambassador Bisa Williams(4)   25,209    * 
Osman Ahmed   -    - 
Modest Jonathan Mero(4)   25,209    * 
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 individuals)(5)   331,265    * 
Five Percent Holders          
Global Commodities & Investments Ltd.(6)   28,080,047    48.5%
10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC(7)   8,347,329    14.4%
Gora Seck(8)   2,787,725    4.8%

 

 

*Less than 1%
(1)Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the entities, directors and executives in this table is 445 Park Avenue, Ninth Floor New York, NY 10022.
(2)Consists of 6,160 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Kessler and 763 shares of Common Stock held of record by Gillian Kessler. Gillian Kessler is Mr. Kessler’s wife. Mr. Kessler disclaims ownership of such shares held by his wife, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(3)Consists of 1,923 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Green and 196,374 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs vesting within 60 days of December 6, 2023.
(4)Consists of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs vesting within 60 days of December 6, 2023.
(5)Consists of (i) 8,846 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 322,419 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs vesting within 60 days of December 6, 2023.
(6)Vasile Frank Timis is the majority owner of Global Commodities & Investments Ltd., and has voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Global Commodities & Investments Ltd. The address of Mr. Timis and Global Commodities & Investments Ltd. is Second floor, Strathvale House, 90 North Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman. Mr. Timis disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(7)Consists of (i) 8,195,663 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 151,666 shares of Common Stock underlying Warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of December 6, 2023 directly held by 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Sponsor is controlled by its manager, 10X Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager has the sole voting and dispositive power of the securities held by the Sponsor. Hans Thomas and David Weisburd are the managing members of the Manager and accordingly may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities reported herein. Each of Mr. Thomas and Mr. Weisburd disclaims any ownership of securities reported herein other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly.
(8)Mr. Seck’s address is Liberty 6 Extension, Cité des Jeunes Cadres Lébou, Villa N*25, Dakar, Senegal.

 

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Directors and Executive Officers

 

Information with respect to the Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of AFRAG PubCo Following The Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Directors

 

Immediately following the Closing, the size of the board of directors of the Company (the “New Board”) was set at seven members. Upon the Closing, each of Alan Kessler, Orim Graves, Ambassador Modest Jonathan Mero, Russell Read, Daphne Michelle Titus, Ambassador Bisa Williams and Osman Ahmed were elected to serve as directors on the New Board. Mr. Kessler was appointed as Chairman of the New Board. For biographical information concerning the directors, see the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Management of AFRAG PubCo Following the Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Ambassador Modest Jonathan Mero and Daphne Michelle Titus were appointed to serve as Class I directors, with a term expiring at the Company’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing; Russell Read and Orim Graves were appointed to serve as Class II directors, with terms expiring at the Company’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing; and Ambassador Bisa Williams, Osman Ahmed and Alan Kessler were appointed to serve as Class III directors, with terms expiring at the Company’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing.

 

Independence of Directors

 

The Board has undertaken a review of the independence of each director and considered whether each member of the New Board has a material relationship with the Company that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. As a result of this review, the Board determined that Orim Graves, Modest Mero, Russell Read, Osman Ahmed, Ambassador Bisa Williams and Daphne Titus are “independent directors” as defined under the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq and the applicable rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Effective as of immediately following the Closing, the standing committees of the New Board consist of an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and a nominating and corporate governance committee (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”). Each of the committees reports to the New Board.

 

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Effective as of immediately following the Closing, (i) Mr. Graves, Mr. Read and Ms. Titus were appointed to serve on the Audit Committee, with Mr. Graves as chair of the Audit Committee, (ii) Mr. Ahmed, Mr. Mero and Ms. Titus were appointed to serve on the Compensation Committee, with Mr. Ahmed as chair of the Compensation Committee and (iii) Mr. Read, Ms. Williams and Mr. Graves were appointed to serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with Mr. Read as chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Graves qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.

 

Executive Officers

 

Effective as of immediately following the Closing, the following individuals were appointed as the Company’s executive officers: Alan Kessler to serve as Chief Executive Officer and Harry Green to serve as Chief Financial Officer. For biographical information concerning the executive officers, see the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Management of AFRAG PubCo Following the Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Executive and Director Compensation 

 

Other than as set forth below, the description of compensation with respect to AFRAG’s executive officers and directors prior to the Closing is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “AFRAG Executive Officer And Director Compensation,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

On November 1, 2022 AFRAG entered into those certain Transaction Bonus and Release Agreements with African Discovery Group, Inc. (“AFDG”) and Harry Green, AFRAG’s Chief Financial Officer (the “Release Agreements”). Alan Kessler, AFRAG’s Chief Executive Officer, is the Chief Executive Officer and majority stockholder of AFDG and, as such, has an indirect interest in any payment made to AFDG pursuant to the terms of the Release Agreements. Pursuant to the Release Agreements, AFDG and Mr. Green were each entitled to a one-time transaction bonus of $300,000 and $400,000, respectively, upon consummation of the Business Combination and in consideration of ADFG and Mr. Green’s waiver of all claims to any unpaid wages, bonuses, commissions or other compensation arising prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

On November 27, 2023, AFRAG amended the Release Agreements to provide that the bonuses contemplated by such Release Agreements will be recharacterized as retention bonuses payable no later than August 21, 2024, subject to each recipient’s continued service as of the payment date.

 

The foregoing summaries of the amended Release Agreements for each of Harry Green and AFDG are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of each amended Transaction Bonus and Release filed as Exhibits 10.22 and 10.24 hereto and each is incorporated herein by reference.

 

At the Special Meeting, the stockholders of the Company approved the African Agriculture Holdings Inc. 2023 Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). The description of the Incentive Plan is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Equity Incentive Plan Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

A copy of the full text of the Incentive Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.25 to this Current Report and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Information with respect to certain relationships and related party transactions of the Company is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Legal Proceedings

 

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus entitled “Information About AFRAG – Legal Proceedings,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

As a result of the Closing, 10X II’s units have automatically separated into the component securities and, as a result, are no longer traded as a separate security and have been delisted. On December 7, 2023, the Common Stock and public warrants began trading on Nasdaq under the trading symbols “AAGR” and “AAGRW,” respectively. As of the Closing, there were approximately 631 holders of record of the Company’s common stock and approximately 695 holders of record of the Company’s warrants to purchase common stock.

 

The Company has not paid any cash dividends on shares of its common stock to date. It is the present intention of the Company to retain any earnings for use in its business operations and, accordingly, the Company does not anticipate the Board declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities

 

The description of the Company’s securities is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of the AFRAG PubCo Securities,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

  

Changes in Accountants

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in Item 4.01 of this Current Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

On November 29, 2023, the parties to the Merger Agreement entered into the Second Amendment to the Merger Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). Pursuant to the Second Amendment, 10X II agreed to irrevocably waive the covenant set forth in Section 6.11 of the Merger Agreement requiring AFRAG to deliver to 10X II a duly executed Offtake Agreement (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement).

 

In consideration for waiving the covenant relating to the Offtake Agreement, at Closing, each holder of Common Stock received upon conversion of a 10X II ordinary share (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares owned by the Sponsor and any of its affiliates) and for which redemption was not requested (a “Former SPAC Holder”) its pro rata portion of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Waiver Consideration Shares”), with (i) holders of Former SPAC Holders that are public holders receiving an aggregate of 103,842 Waiver Consideration Shares in the form of shares of Common Stock that were assigned to a pool for the benefit of such holders (the “Public Holder Pool”) by a former AFRAG shareholder and (ii) Former SPAC Holders that are not public holders (the “Private Holders”) receiving an aggregate of 2,896,156 Waiver Consideration Shares in the form of newly issued Common Stock.

 

The 2,896,156 shares of Common Stock issued to the Private Holders have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Information about indemnification of the Company’s directors and officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Rights - Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers”, which is incorporated herein by reference. On the Closing Date, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with the Company’s directors and executive officers, a form of which is included as Exhibit 10.32 and incorporated herein by reference. The information set forth under the heading “Indemnity Agreements” in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 4.01 of this Current Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

 In connection with the Business Combination, on November 6, 2023, the Company filed the Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State, and also adopted Bylaws on November 6, 2023 (the “Bylaws”), which replaced 10X II’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws in effect as of such time. The material terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of the Common Stock are discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Charter Amendment Proposal”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Common Stock and Public Warrants are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbols “AAGR” and “AAGRW,” respectively. On the date of the Closing, the CUSIP numbers relating to Common Stock and Public Warrants changed to 00792J100 and 00792J118, respectively.

 

Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are included as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

 

On December 12, 2023, the Board approved the engagement of M&K CPAS, PLLC (“M&K”) as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2023. Accordingly, WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”), 10X II’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Business Combination, was informed that it would be dismissed and replaced by M&K as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Withum’s report on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the period from February 10, 2021 through December 31, 2021 and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the “10X II financial statements”) did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except for the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

During the period from February 10, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through December 12, 2023, there were no: (i) disagreements with Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures or audited scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Withum’s satisfaction would have caused Withum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report or (ii) reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

10

 

 

During the period from February 10, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2022, and the interim period through December 12, 2023, neither the Company or anyone acting on its behalf consulted M&K with respect to either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company by M&K that M&K concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

 

The Company has provided Withum with a copy of the disclosures made by the Company in response to this Item 4.01 and has requested that Withum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company in response to this Item 4.01 and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A letter from Withum is included as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report.

 

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Summary of the Prospectus-The Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the information contained in “Introductory Note” above and in Item 2.01 of this Current Report, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

The information set forth in the sections entitled “Directors and Executive Officers”, “Executive and Director Compensation,” “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, and “Indemnification of Directors and Officers” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Effective upon the closing of the Business Combination, all executive officers and directors of 10X II resigned as executive officers and directors of 10X II.

 

Indemnity Agreements

 

Item 1.01 of this Current Report discusses the indemnification agreements entered into between the Company and each of its directors and executive officers, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

2023 Incentive Plan

 

At the Special Meeting, the stockholders of 10X II considered and approved the African Agriculture Holdings Inc. 2023 Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”). The 2023 Plan became effective immediately upon the Closing.

 

The 2023 Plan initially makes available a maximum number of 5,786,685 shares of Common Stock; provided that the total number of shares that will be reserved, and that may be issued, under the 2023 Plan will automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, beginning with calendar year 2025 and ending with calendar year 2029, by a number of shares equal to 1% of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock on the last day of the prior calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no such increase in the share reserve for such year or that the increase in the share reserve for such year will be a lesser number of shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. A committee of at least two people appointed by our Board (or, if no such committee has been appointed, the Board) will administer the Incentive Plan.

 

11

 

 

A description of the 2023 Plan is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Equity Incentive Plan Proposal”, which is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2023 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2023 Plan, which is included as Exhibit 10.25 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

RSU Grants 

 

Effective November 27, 2023, AFRAG awarded Alan Kessler, it’s Chief Executive Officer and chairman of the board of directors, RSUs representing 2,661,967 shares of Common Stock upon settlement, which will fully vest on November 27, 2028. Pursuant to the terms of the restricted stock unit agreement, if Mr. Kessler is terminated without “cause” or resigns for “good reason” (each as defined in the restricted stock unit agreement) prior to November 27, 2028, the RSUs will immediately vest upon termination. In addition, if Mr. Kessler’s service is terminated due to Mr. Kessler’s death or “disability” (as defined in the restricted stock unit agreement), the RSUs will immediately vest upon such death or disability. If Mr. Kessler is terminated prior to November 27, 2028 for any other reason, the RSUs will be immediately forfeited and cancelled upon such termination. If a Change in Control (as defined in the restricted stock unit agreement) occurs prior to the termination of Mr. Kessler’s service, the RSUs will vest as to 100% of the underlying Common Stock upon such change in control.

 

Effective November 27, 2023, AFRAG awarded Harry Green, its Chief Financial Officer, RSUs representing 1,597,180 shares of Common Stock upon settlement, which will vest as to 50% on January 6, 2025 and 50% on January 6, 2026. Pursuant to the terms of the restricted stock unit agreement, if Mr. Green is terminated by reason of death or “disability” or without “cause” or resigns for “good reason” (each as defined in the restricted stock unit agreement), any unvested RSUs will immediately vest upon termination. If Mr. Green is terminated for any other reason, the unvested RSUs will be immediately forfeited and cancelled upon such termination. If a Change in Control (as defined in the restricted stock unit agreement) occurs prior to the vesting of Mr. Green’s RSUs the RSUs will vest as to 100% of the underlying Common Stock upon such change in control.

 

The foregoing summaries of the restricted stock unit agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the African Agriculture, Inc. 2022 Incentive Plan and form Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.25 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

At the Special Meeting, 10X II’s stockholders considered and approved, among other items, “The Charter Amendment Proposal” (“Charter Proposal”), which is described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Certificate of Incorporation, which became effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 6, 2023, includes the amendments proposed by the Charter Proposal.

 

On December 6, 2023, the Board adopted the Bylaws, which became effective on that date. The material terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of 10X II’s capital stock are discussed in the sections entitled “Comparison of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Rights” and “Description of the AFRAG PubCo Securities” of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

In addition, the disclosure set forth under Item 3.03 in this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are included as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

12

 

 

Item 5.05. Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

 

In connection with the Business Combination, on December 6, 2023, the Board approved and adopted a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors of the Company. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be found in the Investors section of the Company’s website at africanagriculture.com.

 

Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.

 

On December 6, 2023, as a result of the Business Combination, 10X II ceased to be a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) as of the Closing. A description of the Business Combination and the terms of the Merger Agreement are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Business Combination Proposal” of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the information set forth in the “Introductory Note” and under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD.

 

On December 6, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Business Combination. A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.4 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.4, is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings. This Current Report on 8-K will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information contained in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.4.

  

Item 9.01 Financial Statement and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

 

The historical unaudited condensed financial statements of AFRAG as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the related notes are included in Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. 

 

The historical audited consolidated financial statements of AFRAG as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The historical unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of 10X II as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the related notes are included in the 10X II Q2 Report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The historical audited consolidated financial statements of 10X II as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

13

 

 

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of AFRAG and 10X II as of September 30, 2023 and for year ended December 31, 2022 after giving effect to the Closing is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Exhibits—

 

        Incorporated by Reference
Number   Description of Document   Schedule/Form   File Number   Exhibits   Filing Date
2.1†   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 2, 2022, by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc. and African Agriculture, Inc.   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  2.1   November 3, 2022
                     
2.2   First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 3, 2023, by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc. and African Agriculture, Inc.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  2.2   October 27, 2023
                     
2.3   Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 29, 2023, by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc. and African Agriculture, Inc.   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
      November 30, 2023
                     
3.1*   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company                
                     
3.2*   Bylaws of the Company                
                     
4.1*   Specimen Common Stock Certificate                
                     
4.2*   Specimen Warrant Certificate                
                     
4.3   Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and Registrant, dated August 10, 2021.   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  4.1   August 13, 2021
                     
10.1   Letter Agreement, dated August 10, 2021, by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, and the officers and directors of 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. I.   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  10.1   August 13, 2021
                     
10.2*   Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 6, 2023, by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, and the other holders signatory thereto.                
                     
10.3   Acquiror Support Agreement, dated November 2, 2022 by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, African Agriculture Inc., 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC and the directors and executive officers of 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II named therein.   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  10.1   November 3, 2022

 

14

 

 

10.4*   Form of Lock-Up Agreement, by and among certain stockholders of African Agriculture Holdings Inc. and 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC                
                     
10.5   Form of Cash-Settled Equity Derivative Confirmation   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  10.1   November 30, 2020
                     
10.6   Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated November 2, 2022, by and between 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II and YA II PN, Ltd.   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  10.3   November 3, 2022
                     
10.7   Service Contract, dated July 14, 2021, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and FGM International.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.10   October 27, 2023
                     
10.8   Agreement for Delivery of Pre-Construction Activities, dated December 22, 2021, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and Willing Hands AS.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.11   October 27, 2023
                     
10.9   Engagement and Advisory Agreement, dated September 13, 2021, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and Dr. Daniel H. Putnam.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.12   October 27, 2023
                     
10.10   Framework Agreement, dated July 8, 2021, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and MPS Infrastructure Inc.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.13   October 27, 2023
                     
10.11   Amended and Restated Sales and Marketing Agreement, dated May 10, 2019, by and between Monitor Power Systems AS and African Discovery Group LLC.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.14   October 27, 2023
                     
10.12   Lease Agreement, dated August 13, 2021, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and an Immobilier SARL.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.15   October 27, 2023
                     
10.13   Lease Agreement, dated December 5, 2021, by and among African Agriculture, Inc., Agro Industries Corp. and the municipality of Aderbissinat.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.16   October 27, 2023
                     
10.14   Lease Agreement, dated November 27, 2021, by and among African Agriculture, Inc., Agro Industries Corp. and the municipality of Ingall.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.17   October 27, 2023
                     
10.15   Partnership Agreement, dated January 2021, by and between the Farms of Teranga S.A. and the Municipality of Fass Ngom.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.18   October 27, 2023

 

15

 

 

10.16   Contribution Agreement, dated June 24, 2021, by and between the shareholders of Agro Industries Corp listed as signatories thereto, Agro Industries Corp. and African Agriculture, Inc.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.19   October 27, 2023
                     
10.17   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated May 21, 2022, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and Harry Green.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.20   October 27, 2023
                     
10.18   Amended and Restated Advisor Agreement, dated May 21, 2022, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and African Discovery Group, Inc.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.21   October 27, 2023
                     
10.19   African Agriculture, Inc. 2022 Incentive Plan and form Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.22   October 27, 2023
                     
10.20   Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated November 1, 2022, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and African Discovery Group, Inc.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.23   October 27, 2023
                     
10.21   Transaction Bonus and Release, dated November 1, 2022, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and Harry Green.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.24   October 27, 2023
                     
10.22   First Amendment to Transaction Bonus and Release, dated November 27, 2023 by and between African Agriculture Inc. and Harry Green.   Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  10.3   November 30, 2023
                     
10.23   Transaction Bonus and Release, dated November 1, 2022, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and African Discovery Group, Inc.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.25   October 27, 2023
                     
10.24  

First Amendment to Transaction Bonus and Release, dated November 27, 2023 by and between African Agriculture Inc. and African Discovery Group Inc.

  Form 8-K   File No.
001-40722
  10.4   November 30, 2023
                     
10.25   African Agriculture Holdings Inc. 2023 Incentive Plan   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.26   October 27, 2023
                     
10.26   Master Agreement, dated February 28, 2018, by and among Gora Seck, Agro Industries Corp, Tampieri Financial Group S.p.A., Tempieri S.p.A., Davide Tampieri and Senhuile S.A.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.27   October 27, 2023

 

16

 

 

10.27   Intercompany Loan Agreement, dated May 10, 2021, by and among African Agriculture, Inc., Agro Industries Corp. and Global Commodities LTD.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.28   October 27, 2023
                     
10.28   Partnership Agreement, dated May 14, 2022, by and between African Agriculture, Inc. and The Directorate General of Water and Forests.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.29   October 27, 2023
                     
10.29   Joinder to the Letter Agreement, dated December 8, 2022, between the Company, the Sponsor and Mike Brown.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.30   October 27, 2023
                     
10.30   Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated October 27, 2023, between African Agriculture, Inc. and 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC.   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.31   October 27, 2023
                     
10.31   Partnership Contract for Project Development Commercial Agriculture, dated effective September 27, 2023, among African Agriculture, Inc., the Ministry of Agriculture and Deental Yakaare Ndema e Ngynaaka Economic Interest Grouping (GIE-DYNN).   Form S-4/A   File No.
333-269342
  10.32   October 27, 2023
                     
10.32*   Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between African Agriculture Holdings Inc. and its directors and executive officers.                
                     
16.1*   Letter from WithumSmith+Brown, PC                
                     
21.1*   List of Subsidiaries of African Agriculture Holdings Inc.                
                     
99.1*   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of AFRAG as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.                
                     
99.2*   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of AFRAG for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.                
                     
99.3*   Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial information of African Agriculture Holdings Inc. as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022.                
                     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)                

   

Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

17

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.
     
Dated: December 12, 2023 By: /s/ Harry Green
    Name: Harry Green
    Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.

 

ARTICLE I
NAME

 

The name of the corporation is African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE III
SOLEINCORPORATOR

 

The name and the mailing address of the incorporator is:

 

Harry Green

c/o African Agriculture
445 Park Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022, USA

 

ARTICLE IV
REGISTERED AGENT

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19801, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE V A
CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 5.1 Definitions. As used herein:

 

(a) “Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

(b) “Common Stock” means (i) prior to the Effective Time, the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, and (ii) after the Effective Time, the New Common Stock.

 

(c) “Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 2, 2022, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 3, 2023, and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 29, 2023, by and among the Corporation (f/k/a IOX Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II), IOX AA Merger Sub, Inc., and African Agriculture, Inc.

 

 

 

Section 5.2 Authorized Capital Stock: Automatic Reclassification.

 

(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 350,000,000, of which (i) 150,000,000 shares shall be Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), (ii) 150,000,000 shares shall be Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), and (iii) 50,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

(b) From and after the Effective Time, the total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 350,000,000, of which (i) 300,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “New Common Stock”), and (ii) 50,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock.

 

(c) At the Effective Time, each share of Class A Common Stock and each share of Class B Common Stock that is then issued and outstanding shall automatically and immediately be reclassified, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of New Common Stock, without any further action of any holder of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.

 

Section 5.3 Preferred Stock. The Board (as defined below) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

Section 5.4 Common Stock.

 

(a) Voting.

 

(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

 

(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote. Prior to the Effective Time, the rights attaching to the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall rank pari passu in all respects, and the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters.

 

2

 

 

(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

 

(b) Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

(c) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

 

Section 5.5 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 6.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”). In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation (“Bylaws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”), this Certificate and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

 

Section 6.2 Number, Election and Term.

 

(a) The number of directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

 

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(b) The Board shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible and designated Class I, Class ll and Class III. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I (“Class I Directors”), Class ll (“Class II Directors”) or Class III (“Class III Directors”). The term of the initial Class I Directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time, the term of the initial Class II Directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time, and the term of the initial Class Ill Directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time. At each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time, each of the successors elected to replace the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term or until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal. If the number of directors that constitutes the Board is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shorten the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions thereof, to assign members of the Board already in office to the aforesaid classes (and therefore such classification) at the Effective Time, in each case, in accordance with the DGCL and the terms of the Director Nomination Agreement.

 

(c) Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Section 6.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

Section 6.4 Removal. Any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

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Section 6.5 Preferred Stock -Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

Section 6.6 Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business by the directors shall be set forth in the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII
BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders: provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided, further, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

 

ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Section 8.1 Annual Meetings. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as shall be determined exclusively by resolution of the Board in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Section 8.2 Special Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and subject to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders may not be called by another person or persons.

 

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Section 8.3 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

Section 8.4 No Action by Written Consent. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE IX
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 9.1 Limitation of Director Liability. To the full extent permitted by the DGCL and any other applicable law currently or hereafter in effect, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

Section 9.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (any such person, an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as such a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay any and all expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay, without interest, all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2:

 

(i) shall be contract rights; (ii) shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; and (iii) shall not be conditioned upon any prior determination that an indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.2 with respect to the related proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

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(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Certificate, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

(d) Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

ARTICLE X
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

 

The Corporation renounces, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Excluded Opportunity pursuant to Section 122(17) of the DGCL. As used herein, an “Excluded Opportunity” is any matter, transaction or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of any director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, “Covered Persons”), unless such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession of, such Covered Person expressly and solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Corporation, and such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any Covered Person existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification. For purposes of this Article IX, “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such person.

 

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ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article X. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate or the Bylaws, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or vote may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of Article IV, Article V, Article VI, Article VIII, Article IX and this Article X (except by virtue of a filing of a Preferred Stock Designation, but subject to any vote required by law or by other provisions of this Certificate with respect to such Preferred Stock Designation) may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision of this Certificate or of the Bylaws inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate or otherwise required by law, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662”% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

ARTICLE XII
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS

 

Section 12.1 Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Certificate or the Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (BJ which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (CJ for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, or (DJ arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 11.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 11.1.

 

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Section 12.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 11.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 11.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

Section 12.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XI (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XI.

 

ARTICLE XIII
SECTION 203 OF THE DGCL

 

The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL as now in effect or hereafter amended, or any successor statute thereto, and the restrictions contained in Section 203 of the DGCL shall not apply to the Corporation.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, African Agriculture Holdings Inc. has caused this Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an incorporator as of this 5th day of December, 2023.

 

  African Agriculture Holdings Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Harry Green
  Name:  Harry Green
  Title: Incorporator

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2 

 

BY LAWS

 

OF

 

[AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.]
(THE “CORPORATION”)

 

ARTICLE I.

OFFICES

 

Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.

 

Section 1.2 Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II.

STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

 

Section 2.1 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

Section 2.2 Special Meetings. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).

 

Section 2.3 Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

 

 

 

Section 2.4 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these By Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 2.5 Voting of Shares.

 

(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

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(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights.

 

(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

 

(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

(d) Required Vote. At all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.

 

(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.

 

Section 2.6 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

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Section 2.7 Advance Notice for Business.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.2 will be considered for election at such meeting.

 

(i) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to Section 2.7(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).

 

(ii) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend these By Laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

(iii) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.7(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation.

 

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(iv) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.2.

 

(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these By Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).

 

Section 2.8 Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these By Laws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.9 Action Without Meeting. No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or by electronic transmission.

 

ARTICLE III.

DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1 Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board.

 

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Section 3.2 Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

 

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2.

 

(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 3.2.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.

 

(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination to be made by such stockholder among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

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(e) If the Board or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 3.2, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(f) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein.

 

Section 3.3 Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.

 

ARTICLE IV.

BOARD MEETINGS

 

Section 4.1 Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.

 

Section 4.2 Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 4.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.

 

Section 4.4 Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

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Section 4.5 Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 4.6 Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V.

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Establishment. The Board may by resolution of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.

 

Section 5.2 Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.

 

Section 5.3 Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Section 5.4 Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these By Laws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these By Laws.

 

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ARTICLE VI.

OFFICERS

 

Section 6.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including without limitation, a Chairman of the Board, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Partners, Managing Directors, Senior Managing Directors, Assistant Secretaries and a Treasurer) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these By Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.

 

(a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.

 

(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.

 

(e) Secretary.

 

(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.

 

(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.

 

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(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.

 

(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).

 

(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Section 6.2 Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.

 

Section 6.3 Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.

 

Section 6.4 Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII.

SHARES

 

Section 7.1 Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

 

Section 7.2 Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

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Section 7.3 Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

 

Section 7.4 Consideration and Payment for Shares.

 

(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.

 

(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.

 

Section 7.5 Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

 

(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

 

(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

Section 7.6 Transfer of Stock.

 

(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:

 

(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;

 

(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;

 

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(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;

 

(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and

 

(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.

 

(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

 

Section 7.7 Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.8 Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.

 

(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.

 

(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

Section 7.9 Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

 

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ARTICLE VIII.

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1 Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 8.2 Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

 

Section 8.3 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

Section 8.4 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

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Section 8.5 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Section 8.6 Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.

 

Section 8.7 Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these By Laws inconsistent with this Article VIII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 66.7% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.8 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

Section 8.9 Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Section 8.10  Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

ARTICLE IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1 Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these By Laws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.

 

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Section 9.2 Fixing Record Dates.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.

 

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 9.3 Means of Giving Notice.

 

(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.

 

(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

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(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.

 

(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

Section 9.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.5 Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

 

(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

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(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.6 Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 9.7 Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

 

Section 9.8 Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

Section 9.9 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

 

Section 9.10 Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

Section 9.11 Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

 

Section 9.12 Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 9.13 Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.

 

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Section 9.14 Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

Section 9.15 Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The By Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws.

 

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

NUMBER   SHARES
C-    
     
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN    
DEFINITIONS    
     
    CUSIP [_]

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.

 

COMMON STOCK

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT                   is the owner of                     fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of African Agriculture Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.

 

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar of the Company.

 

Witness the facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Company.

 

     
Authorized Signatory   Transfer Agent

 

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of securities (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT     Custodian  
TEN ENT as tenants by the entireties       (Cust)   (Minor)

 

JT TEN as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common     under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
          (State)

 

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

For value received,                    hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

 

(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER(S) OF ASSIGNEE(S))

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES), INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE(S))

 

     shares of Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints

 

Attorney to transfer the said shares of Common Stock on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:

 

   
  Notice: The signature(s) to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

 

   
   
   
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE).  

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.2

 

Form of Warrant Certificate

 

[FACE]

 

Number

 

Warrants

 

THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO

 

THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR

 

IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.

 

Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of Delaware

  

CUSIP __________

 

Warrant Certificate

 

This Warrant Certificate certifies that              , or registered assigns, is the registered holder of warrant(s) evidenced hereby (the “Warrants” and each, a “Warrant”) to purchase shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), of African Agriculture Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock as set forth below, at the exercise price (the “Warrant Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Warrant Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

 

Each whole Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. If, upon the exercise of Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Warrant holder. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

 

The initial Warrant Price per share of Common Stock for any Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Warrant Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

 

Subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement.

 

 

 

 

This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

  AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.
     
  By:                 
  Name:  
  Title:    
     
  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Warrant Agent
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:    

 

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[Form of Warrant Certificate]

 

[Reverse]

 

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise to receive shares of Common Stock and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of August 10, 2021 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders” or “holder” meaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder, respectively) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

 

Warrants may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of election to purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the Warrant Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.

 

Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the shares of Common Stock is current, except through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.

 

The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted.

 

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

 

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

 

The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a stockholder of the Company.

 

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Election to Purchase

 

(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive                 shares of Common Stock and herewith tenders payment for such shares of Common Stock to the order of Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) in the amount of $            in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of                 , whose address is                 and that such shares of Common Stock be delivered to whose address is                 . If said number of shares of Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of                 , whose address is and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to                 , whose address is                 .

 

In the event that the Warrant has been called for redemption by the Company pursuant to Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement and the Company has required cashless exercise pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) and Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

In the event that the Warrant is a Private Placement Warrant that is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement.

 

In the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.

 

In the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following: The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive shares of Common Stock. If said number of shares of Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise), the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of                 , whose address is                 and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to                 , whose address is                 .

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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Date:                , 20        
    (Signature)
     
     
     
     
    (Address)
     
     
    (Tax Identification Number)
     
Signature Guaranteed:    
     
     

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO SEC RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE).

 

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 6, 2023, is made and entered into by and among African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (f/k/a 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) and each of the undersigned parties listed under Holder on the signature pages hereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor, Cantor, together with any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II (“10X”) and the Sponsor previously entered into that certain Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2021, pursuant to which the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 7,666,667 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of 10X’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”), 5,332,328 of which are held by the Sponsor as of the date hereof;

 

WHEREAS, the Founder Shares were convertible into Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), on the terms and conditions provided in 10X’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association;

 

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, 10X and the Sponsor entered into that certain Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase 455,000 private placement units (the “Sponsor Private Placement Units”) in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of 10X’s initial public offering;

 

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, 10X and Cantor entered into that certain Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which Cantor agreed to purchase 200,000 private placement units (the “Underwriter Private Placement Units” and, collectively with the Sponsor Private Placement Units, the “Private Placement Units”), each Private Placement Unit consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share, par value $0.0001 per share of 10X (each share underlying a Private Placement Unit, a “Private Placement Share”) and one-third of one redeemable warrant (the “Private Placement Warrants”) in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of 10X’s initial public offering;

 

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, 10X, the Sponsor, Cantor and the other holders party thereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor and Cantor, the “Existing Holders”) entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement (the “Existing Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which 10X granted the Sponsor, Cantor and the Existing Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of 10X held by the Existing Holders;

 

WHEREAS, on or prior to August 10, 2021, 10X and the Sponsor entered into Investment Agreements with the anchor investors of 10X’s initial public offering (the “Anchor Investors”), pursuant to which 10X granted the Anchor Investors certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of 10X held by the Anchor Investors;

 

WHEREAS, in order to finance African Agriculture’s (as defined below) transaction costs in connection with the business combination and as reimbursement for expenses of the Sponsor, the Sponsor and/or an affiliates of the Sponsor have entered into a promissory note with African Agriculture pursuant to which, at Closing, 10X will issue to the Sponsor shares of Common Stock (as defined below) (the “Promissory Note Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 2, 2022 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among 10X, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X (“Merger Sub”) and African Agriculture, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“African Agriculture”), African Agriculture will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X (the “Merger”);

 

WHEREAS, prior to the Merger, 10X domesticated as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Article 206 of the Cayman Islands Companies Law (2020 Revision) (the “Domestication”), and in connection with the Domestication and the Merger, changed its name to African Agriculture Holdings Inc. As part of the Domestication, (i) each Class B Ordinary Share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one Class A Ordinary Share on the terms and conditions provided in 10X’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Acquiror Support Agreement, (ii) immediately following the conversion described in clause (i) each Class A Ordinary Share converted, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), and (iii) by virtue of the Domestication and without any action on the part of any holder, each outstanding warrant of 10X (including the warrants issued in 10X’s initial public offering and the Private Placement Warrants) became exercisable for one share of Common Stock in lieu of one Class A Ordinary Share (the “Warrants”);

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of 10X and the Existing Holders of a majority-in-interest of the “Registrable Securities” (as such term was defined in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) at the time in question (which majority interest must include Cantor if such amendment or modification affects in any way the rights of Cantor thereunder); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Existing Holders desire to amend and restate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, in order to provide the Holders certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined below) on the terms set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Section  1.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement:

 

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the principal executive officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any Misstatement, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective, or used, as the case may be, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

 

African Agriculture” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Block Trade” means an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder on a coordinated or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction, but excluding a variable price reoffer.

 

Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Class A Ordinary Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Class B Ordinary Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Domestication” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

EDGAR” shall have the meaning set forth in subsection 3.1.3.

 

Effectiveness Deadline” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Existing Holder” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Form S-1 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

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Form S-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.

 

Founder Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto shall be deemed to include the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof.

 

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.

 

Merger” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Merger Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Merger Sub” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

Lock-Up Period” shall mean the lock-up period specified with respect to a party in the Company Lock-up Agreement, dated December 6, 2023 or the Acquiror Support Agreement, dated November 2, 2022.

 

Permitted Transferees” shall mean a Person to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the applicable Lock-up Period pursuant to the Company Lock-up Agreement or Acquiror Support Agreement, as applicable.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.

 

Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.

 

Piggyback Registration Rights Holders” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.

 

Private Placement Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Private Placement Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Private Placement Warrants” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares (including any Class A Ordinary Shares, shares of Common Stock or other equivalent equity security issued or issuable upon the conversion of any such Founder Shares or exercisable for Class A Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock), (b) the Private Placement Shares (including any Class A Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion or exchange of the Private Placement Shares), (c) the Private Placement Warrants (including any Class A Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such Private Placement Warrants), (d) the Promissory Note Shares, (e) all shares of Common Stock issued to the equityholders of African Agriculture in the Merger, (f) any outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares, shares of Common Stock, Warrants, or any other equity security (including the Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, including for the avoidance of doubt, the Waiver Consideration Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), but only to the extent such securities are “restricted securities” or are held by an “affiliate” (each as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act), and (g) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock by way of a stock dividend, stock split, share capitalization or share sub-division or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates or book entry positions for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (iv) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction; or (v) with respect to a Holder, when all such securities held by such Holder could be sold without restriction on volume or manner of sale in any three-month period without registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission).

 

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Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

Registration Expenses” shall mean the documented, out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, excluding Selling Expenses, but including, without limitation, the following:

 

(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;

 

(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

 

(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

 

(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;

 

(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and

 

(F) reasonable fees and expenses, not to exceed $75,000, of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Selling Holder Counsel”).

 

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement under the Securities Act that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Requesting Holders” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.

 

Rule 415” shall mean Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions, and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder, except for the fees and disbursements of the Selling Holder Counsel borne and paid by the Company as provided in Section 3.2.

 

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 415.

 

Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

Shelf Takedown Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection2.1.4.

 

Shelf Threshold” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.

 

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

 

Underwritten Shelf Takedown” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Warrants” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.6.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

REGISTRATIONS

 

2.1 Shelf Registrations.

 

2.1.1 Initial Registration. The Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) calendar days after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders (and certain other outstanding equity securities of the Company as may be required by registration rights granted in favor of other stockholders or in the Company’s sole discretion) from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) on the terms and conditions specified in this subsection 2.1.1 and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective as promptly as reasonably practicable after the initial filing thereof, but in no event later than sixty (60) business days following the filing deadline (the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, that the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to ninety (90) days after the filing deadline if the Registration Statement is reviewed by, and receives comments from, the Commission. The Shelf Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 shall be filed on Form S-1 (a “Form S-1 Shelf”) or such other form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of such Registrable Securities, covering such Registrable Securities, and shall contain a Prospectus in such form as to permit any Holder to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 at any time beginning on the effective date for such Shelf Registration Statement. A Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested prior to effectiveness by, the Holders, including the registration of the distribution to its shareholders, partners, members or other affiliates. The Company agrees to provide in a Shelf Registration Statement (and in any prospectus or prospectus supplement forming a part of such Shelf Registration Statement) that all assignees, successors or transferees under this Agreement shall, by virtue of such assignment, be deemed to be selling stockholders under the Shelf Registration Statement (or any such prospectus or prospectus supplement) with respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Shelf Registration Statement is available or, if not available, that another Shelf Registration Statement is available, for the resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders until all such Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities. When effective, a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any Prospectus contained in such Shelf Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made). As soon as practicable following the effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection  2.1.1, but in any event within three (3) business days of such date, the Company shall notify the Holders named therein of the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement. When effective, a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and will not contain any Misstatement. The Company’s obligations under this subsection 2.1.1, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

 

2.1.2 Subsequent Registration Statement. If the Shelf Registration Statement required by subsection 2.1.1 ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as is reasonably practicable, cause such Shelf Registration Statement to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as is reasonably practicable, amend such Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or file an additional Registration Statement (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) at the most recent applicable eligibility determination date) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as all such Registrable Securities included therein have ceased to be Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 (a “Form S-3 Shelf”) or any similar short-form registration statement that may be available at such time to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.2, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

 

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2.1.3 Conversion to Form S-3. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert a Form S-1 Shelf into a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. The Company’s obligations under this subsection 2.1.3, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

 

2.1.4 Shelf Takedown. At any time and from time to time following the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement required by subsection 2.1.1 or 2.1.2, and following any applicable Lock-up Period, any Holder (being in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or a portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to such shelf registration statement (an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”), provided, that such Holder(s) (a) reasonably expect aggregate gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000 from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown or (b) reasonably expects to sell all of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown but in no event less than $10,000,000 in aggregate gross proceeds (the “Shelf Threshold”). All requests for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall be made by giving written notice to the Company (the “Shelf Takedown Notice”). Each Shelf Takedown Notice shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. The Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement in a form as is customary in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Company with the managing Underwriter or Underwriters selected by the Company and shall take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. In connection with any Underwritten Shelf Takedown contemplated by this subsection 2.1.4, subject to Section  3.3 and ARTICLE IV, the underwriting agreement into which each Holder and the Company shall enter shall contain such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations of the Company and the selling stockholders as are customary in underwritten offerings of securities.

 

2.1.5 Reduction of Underwritten Shelf Takedown. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Holders requesting piggy back rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Requesting Holders”) (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with Persons other than the Piggyback Registration Rights Holders hereunder, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, (i) first, before including any shares of Common Stock or other equity securities proposed to be sold by the Company or by other holders of Common Stock or other equity securities, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities, (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of other Persons that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such Persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

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2.1.6 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Except as provided in Section 3.2, if an Underwritten Shelf Takedown is withdrawn pursuant to such request, the Demanding Holder shall reimburse the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown). Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

 

2.2 Piggyback Registration.

 

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. Subject to Section 2.4.3, if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company, including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to subsection 2.1.4), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that related to a transaction subject to Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (iii) for a rights offering or an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iv) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (v) for a registered offering not involving a “road show” or other substantial marketing efforts or a widespread distribution of securities, such as a “registered direct” offering (whether or not underwritten), including a Block Trade, (vi) for an “at the market” or similar registered offering through a broker, sales agent or distribution agent, whether as agent or principal, or (vii) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as reasonably practicable but not less than five (5) business days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within three (3) business days after the sending of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”, and each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Piggyback Registration, the “Piggyback Registration Rights Holders”); providedfurther, that if the Company has been advised in writing by the managing Underwriter(s) that the inclusion of Registrable Securities for sale for the benefit of the Holders will have an adverse effect on the price, timing, or distribution of the Common Stock in an Underwritten Offering, then (1) if no Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the managing Underwriter(s), the Company shall not be required to offer such opportunity to such Holders or (2) if any Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the managing Underwriter(s), then the amount of Registrable Securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be determined based on the provisions of Section 2.2.2. Subject to Section 2.2.2, the Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Piggyback Registration Rights Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Piggyback Registration Rights Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company. The notice periods set forth in this subsection 2.2.1 shall not apply to an Underwritten Shelf Takedown conducted in accordance with subsection 2.1.3. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any Registration Statement initiated by it under this subsection 2.2.1 before the effective date of such Registration, whether or not any Piggyback Registration Rights Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such Registration.

 

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2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with Persons other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of Persons other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

 

(a) If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration has been requested or demanded pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of Persons other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;

 

(b) If the Registration is pursuant to a request by Persons other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting Persons, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other Persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such Persons, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

(c) if the Underwritten Shelf Takedown is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.1.4 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Underwritten Shelf Takedown securities in the priority set forth in subsection 2.1.5.

 

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2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by subsection 2.1.6) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration (or in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, at least five (5) business days prior to the time of pricing of the applicable offering). The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by Persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than subsection 2.1.6), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.

 

2.2.4 Joinder of Piggyback Registration Rights Holders. If so indicated on its signature page hereto, a Holder may be designated solely as a Piggyback Registration Rights Holder hereunder, in which case such Piggyback Registration Rights Holder agrees that it shall be fully bound by, and subject to, all of the applicable terms, conditions, representations and warranties and other provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement as a “Piggyback Registration Rights Holder” under this Section 2.2, with all attendant rights, benefits, duties, restrictions and obligations thereunder, and shall be fully bound by, and subject to, all of the applicable terms, conditions, representations and warranties and other provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement as a “Holder” for purposes of ARTICLE III, ARTICLE IV and ARTICLE V hereto, with all attendant rights, benefits, duties, restrictions and obligations thereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, any Piggyback Registration Rights Holder designated solely as such shall not be a “Holder” for any other purpose hereunder.

 

2.3 Market Stand-off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company (other than a Block Trade), if requested by the managing Underwriter(s), each Holder that is (a) an executive officer, (b) a director or (c) Holder in excess of five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock who is selling securities in the Underwritten Offering (and for which it is customary for such a Holder to agree to a lock-up) agrees that it shall not transfer any shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement and other than to Permitted Transferees prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period), without the prior written consent of the Company, during the ninety (90)-day period (or such shorter time agreed to by the managing Underwriter(s)) beginning on the date of pricing of such offering, except as expressly permitted by such lock-up agreement or in the event the managing Underwriter(s) otherwise agree by written consent. Each such Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders).

 

2.4 Block Trades.

 

2.4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of ARTICLE II, but subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf Registration Statement is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder or Holders wishes to engage in Block Trade with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, either (x) $50 million or (y) all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder or Holders, such Demanding Holder(s) shall provide written notice to the Company at least five (5) business days prior to the date such Block Trade will commence. As promptly as reasonably practicable, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade. The Demanding Holder(s) shall use reasonable best efforts to work with the Company and the Underwriter(s) (including by disclosing the maximum number of Registrable Securities proposed to be the subject of such Block Trade) in order to facilitate preparation of the Registration Statement, Prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade and any related due diligence and comfort procedures.

 

2.4.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade, a majority-in-interest of the Holders initiating such Block Trade shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company, the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.4.2.

 

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2.4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 shall not apply to a Block Trade initiated by one or more Demanding Holders pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement.

 

2.4.4 A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders in a Block Trade shall have the right to select the Underwriters and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) for such Block Trade (in each case, which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).

 

2.4.5 A Holder in the aggregate may demand no more than two (2) Block Trades pursuant to this Section 2.3 in any twelve (12) month period. For the avoidance of doubt, any Block Trade effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.4 hereof.

 

ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES

 

3.1 General Procedures. If the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective pursuant to the terms of this Agreement until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution of such Registrable Securities or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

 

3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

 

3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holder’s legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided, that the Company shall have no obligation to furnish any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission and publicly available pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”);

 

3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may reasonably request (or provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable any Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

 

3.1.5 use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

 

3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

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3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

 

3.1.8 promptly following the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than by way of a document incorporated by reference) furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities and its counsel, including, without limitation, providing copies promptly upon receipt of any comment letters received with respect to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus;

 

3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;

 

3.1.10 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block trade, or a sale by a broker, placement agent, or sales agent pursuant to such Registration Statement, in each of the foregoing cases solely to the extent customary for a transaction of its type, permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority in interest of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that any such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

 

3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters for a transaction of its type as the managing Underwriter(s) may reasonably request;

 

3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, in the event of an Underwritten Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Underwriters, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Underwriters, placement agent or sales agent may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to such Underwriters, placement agent or sales agent;

 

3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form and as agreed to by the Company, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;

 

3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), which requirement will be deemed satisfied if the Company timely files Forms 10-Q and 10-K, as may be required to be filed under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

 

3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $50,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and

 

3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the participating Holders, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in connection with such Registration.

 

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3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to subsection 2.1.4 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Demanding Holders (in which case the Demanding Holders shall bear such expenses pro rata based upon the number of Registrable Securities that were to be included in the withdrawn registration), unless if, at the time of such withdrawal, the Demanding Holders shall have learned of a material adverse change in the condition, business, or prospects of the Company not known (and not reasonably available upon request from the Company or otherwise) to the Demanding Holders at the time of their request and have withdrawn the request with reasonable promptness after learning of such information, then the Demanding Holders shall not be required to pay any of such expenses. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all Selling Expenses, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” and all reasonable fees and expenses of Selling Holder Counsel.

 

3.3 Requirements for Inclusion as a Selling Stockholder. At least ten (10) business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this ARTICLE III, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify each Holder in writing (which may be by email) of the information reasonably necessary about the Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities to the extent the Company has not received such information, and received any other reasonably requested agreements or certificates, on or prior to the fifth business day prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this ARTICLE III. Further, no Person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure.

 

3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, or in the opinion of counsel for the Company it is necessary to supplement or amend such Prospectus to comply with applicable law, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

 

3.4.2 If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time (i) would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (ii) would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, (iii) in the good faith judgment of a majority of the Board, would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes, as a result, that it is necessary to defer such filing, initial effectiveness, or continued use at such time, or (iv) if the majority of the Board, in its good faith judgment, determines to delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend the use of, a Registration Statement and such delay or suspension arises out of or is a result of, or is related to or is in connection with any publicly-available written guidance of the Commission, or any comments, requirements, or requests of the Commission Staff related to accounting, disclosure, or other matters, then the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentences, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.

 

3.4.3 Subject to Section 3.4.4, during the period starting with the date thirty (30) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date ninety (90) days (or such shorter time as the managing Underwriters may agree) after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, or (b) if, pursuant to subsection 2.1.4, Holders have requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to subsection 2.1.4 or Section 2.3.

 

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3.4.4 The right to delay or suspend any filing, initial effectiveness of a registered offering pursuant to Section 3.4.3 shall be exercised by the Company, in the aggregate, for not more than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or more than sixty (60) total calendar days in each case during any twelve (12)-month period.

 

3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, shall file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission, to the extent that such rule or such successor rule is available to the Company), including providing any customary legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

3.6 Limitations on Registration Rights. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) Cantor may not exercise their demand registration rights and piggy back registration rights hereunder after five (5) and seven (7) years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Company’s initial public offering and (ii) Cantor may not exercise its demand registration rights more than one time.

 

ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

4.1 Indemnification.

 

4.1.1 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, the Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each such Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented outside attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 4.1.1 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed.

 

4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any other Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Registration, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation reasonable and documented outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained, or incorporated by reference in accordance with the requirements of Form S-1 or Form S-3, in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in light of the circumstances in which they were made), but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in (or not contained in, in the case of an omission) any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each Person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.

 

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4.1.3 Any Person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided, that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party’s ability to defend such action) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement), which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault or culpability on the part of such indemnified party, or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

 

4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and documented out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and documented out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by, in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such Holder. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or documented out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: African Agriculture Holdings Inc., 415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: General Counsel; and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) shall also be sent to Morrison Cohen LLP, 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attn: Jack Levy; Anthony Saur, email: jlevy@morrisoncohen.com; amsaur@morrisoncohen.com, if to the Sponsor to: 10X Capital, 1 World Trade Center, 85th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Attn: Hans Thomas, with copy to: (i) Latham & Watkins LLP, 99 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3XF, United Kingdom, Attn: J. David Stewart and (ii) Latham & Watkins, 811 Main Street, Suite 3700, Houston, TX 77002, Attn: Ryan Maierson, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or facsimile number as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

 

5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

 

5.2.2 Prior to the expiration of the applicable Lock-Up Period, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee.

 

5.2.3 Following the expiration of the applicable Lock-Up Period, a Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any transferee of Registrable Securities;

 

5.2.4 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

 

5.2.5 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any Persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.

 

5.2.6 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

 

5.3 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible that is valid and enforceable.

 

5.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.

 

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5.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant hereto and all certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, understandings, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral or written. This Agreement will amend and restate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement to read as set forth herein, when it has been duly executed by parties having the right to so amend and restate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement.

 

5.6 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.

 

5.7 WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, OR THE ACTIONS OF THE SPONSOR IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.

 

5.8 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected; provided, further, that no consent of any Piggyback Registration Rights Holder shall be required with respect to any such waiver, amendment or modification, except with respect to any waiver, amendment or modification that adversely affects such Piggyback Registration Rights Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of Registrable Securities, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity). No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party. Any amendment, termination, or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 5.8 shall be binding on each party hereto and all of such party’s successors and permitted assigns, regardless of whether or not any such party, successor or assignee entered into or approved such amendment, termination, or waiver.

 

5.9 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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5.10 Waivers and Extensions. Any party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party has the right to waive, provided, that such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or acts.

 

5.11 Remedies Cumulative. In the event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Holders may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

5.12 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that, no Person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other Person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that (1) this Agreement supersedes the Existing Registration Rights Agreement and any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

5.13 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (ii) the date as of which no Registrable Securities remain outstanding; provided, that with respect to any Holder, this Agreement shall terminate on the date such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and ARTICLE IV shall survive any termination.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.
     
  By: /s/ Alan Kessler
  Name:  Alan Kessler
  Title: Chairman & CEO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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  SPONSOR:
     
  10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC
     
  By: Hans Thomas, its managing member
     
  By: /s/ Hans Thomas
  Name:  Hans Thomas
  Title: Managing Member

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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  CANTOR:
     
  Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
     
  By: /s/ Sage Kelly
  Name:  Sage Kelly
  Title: Global Head of Investment Banking
     
  For the avoidance of doubt, by signing this Agreement, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is not subjecting itself to any contractual lock-up of its Registrable Securities under the Agreement

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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  HOLDER:
     
  10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company
     
  By: Hans Thomas, its managing member
     
  By: /s/ Hans Thomas
  Name:  Hans Thomas
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

21

 

 

  HOLDER:
     
  By: /s/ Hans Thomas
  Hans Thomas

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

22

 

 

  HOLDER:
   
  /s/ David Weisburd
  David Weisburd

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

23

 

 

  HOLDER:
   
  /s/ Oliver Wriedt
  Oliver Wriedt

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

24

 

 

  HOLDER:
   
  /s/ Guhan Kandasmy
  Guhan Kandasamy

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

25

 

 

  HOLDER:
   
  /s/ Osman Ahmed
  Osman Ahmed

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:  

 

POLAR MULTI-STRATEGY MASTER
FUND
By its investment advisor,
Polar Asset Management Partners Inc

   
  By: /s/ Andrew Ma / Kirstie Moore
  Name: Andrew Ma / Kirstie Moore
  Title: CCO / Legal Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

 

PSAM WorldArb Master Fund Ltd

   
  By: /s/ Dhananjay Pai
  Name:  Dhananjay Pai
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

 

Lumyna Specialist Fund -

   
  By: /s/ Dhananjay Pai
  Name:  Dhananjay Pai
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

 

Alberta Investment Management Corporation

   
  By: /s/ James Sawatzky
    James Sawatzky
  Title: Portfolio Manager, Event Driven Strategies

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

 

CASTLE CREEK STRATEGIES LLC on behalf of CC ARBITRAGE, LTD and CC ARB WEST, LLC

   
  By: /s/ Alan Weine
    Alan Weine
  Title: Authorized Person

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

   
  Gundy Co ITF The HGC Fund LP
   
  By: /s/ Stuart Grant
  Name: Stuart Grant
  Title: CCO / COO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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  HOLDER:
   
  Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. By: Kepos Capital LP, its Investment Manager
     
  By: /s/ Simon Raykher
  Name:  Simon Raykher
  Title: General Counsel
     
  Kepos Special Opportunities Master Fund L.P. By: Kepos Capital LP, its Investment Manager
   
    /s/ Simon Raykher
  Name: Simon Raykher, General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

   
  Meteora Capital Partners, LP
     
  By:

/s/ Joseph Levy

  Name:  Joseph Levy
  Title: Chief Operating & Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

   
  MMCAP International Inc. SPC
     
  By:

/s/ Matthew MacIsaac

  Name: Matthew MacIsaac
  Title: Secretary MM Asset Management Inc., Investment Advisor to MMCAP International Inc.SPC

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

   
  OWL CREEK CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, L.P.,
     
  By:

/s/ Kevin Dibble

  Name: Kevin Dibble
  Title:

General Counsel and

    Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

   
  RADCLIFFE SPAC MASTER FUND, L.P.
     
  By: /s/ Christopher Hinkel
  Name: Kevin Dibble
  Title: Managing Member of Radcliffe Spac GP, LLC, its General Partner

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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  HOLDER:
   
  Sculptor SC II, LP
   
  By: Sculptor Capital II LP, its investment manager
  By: Sculptor Capital Holding II LLC, its General Partner
  By: Sculptor Capital LP, its Member
  By: Sculptor Capital Holding Corporation, its General Partn

 

  By: /s/ Wayne Cohen
  Name: Wayne Cohen
  Title: President and COO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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  HOLDER:
   
  Sculptor Special Funding, LP
   
  By: Sculptor Capital LP, its investment manager
  By: Sculptor Capital Holding Corporation, its General Partner

 

  By: /s/ Wayne Cohen
  Name: Wayne Cohen
  Title: President and COO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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  HOLDER:
   
  Sculptor Credit Opportunities Master Fund, Ltd.
   
  By: Sculptor Capital LP, its investment manager
  By: Sculptor Capital Holding Corporation, its General Partner

 

  By: /s/ Wayne Cohen
  Name: Wayne Cohen
  Title: President and CO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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HOLDER:

   
  Spring Creek Capital, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Matthew J. Orr
  Name: Matthew J. Orr
  Title: President

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 6, 2023 between [●], a [●] (the “Stockholder”) and African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (f/k/a 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The Stockholder and the Company are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, the Company, African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation and 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 2, 2022 (as it may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Stockholder will receive [●] ([●]) shares of Acquiror Common Stock (as defined in the Merger Agreement) at Closing (the “Stockholder Shares”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Parties will enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Acquiror Common Stock held by the Stockholder immediately after the Effective Time (together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted) shall become subject to limitations on disposition as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a) the term “First Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date;

 

(b) the term “Lock-up Period” means the First Lock-Up Period, the Second Lock-Up Period and the the Third Lock-Up Period; provided, that the Parties may mutually agree to shorten the duration of or otherwise waive the Lock-up Period;

 

(c) the term “Lock-up Shares” means the shares of Acquiror Common Stock held by the Stockholder immediately following the Closing (for the avoidance of doubt, (x) including the Stockholder Shares, and (y) excluding shares of Acquiror Common Stock acquired in the public market, together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, shares not owned by the Stockholder at Closing shall not be considered “Lock-up Shares”;

 

(d) the term “Permitted Transferees” means any Person to whom the Stockholder is permitted to transfer Lock-up Shares prior to the expiration of a Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 2(a);

 

(e) the term “Prospectus” means the final prospectus of the Company related to its initial public offering, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-253867) on August 10, 2021;

 

 

 

(f) the term “Second Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date;

 

(g) the term “Third Lock-Up Period” means the period from the Closing Date to the latter of (i) twelve (12) months after the Closing Date and (ii) the date upon which the Company enters into an Offtake Agreement (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement); and

 

(h) the term “Transfer” means the (A) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to, any security, (B) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (C) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (A) or (B).

 

2. Lock-Up Provisions.

 

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 2(b), the Stockholder or its Permitted Transferees may Transfer the Lock-up Shares during any Lock-up Period (i) to the Company’s officers or directors, (ii) to any Affiliates of the Stockholder; (iii) in respect of (i) or (ii), in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the Stockholder, a member of such individual’s immediate family, an Affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (iv) in respect of (i), (ii) or (iii), in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (v) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Stockholder limited partnership agreement upon dissolution of the Stockholder or (vi) in connection with sales, the proceeds of which will be applied solely to cover applicable taxes owed by the holder thereof in connection with the issuance of equity awards from the Company, in each case, subject to any such transferee signing a joinder hereto agreeing to be bound by all provisions hereof to the same extent as the Stockholder.

 

(b) The Stockholder hereby agrees that it shall not, and shall cause any of its Permitted Transferees not to, Transfer any Lock-Up Shares during any Lock-Up Period (the “Transfer Restriction”), except in accordance with the following:

 

(i)with respect to [●]1 ([●]) Lock-Up Shares (the “First Tranche”), no Transfer Restrictions shall apply to the First Tranche after the expiration of the First Lock-Up Period;

 

(ii)during the Second Lock-Up Period, the Transfer Restriction shall expire with respect to an additional [●]2 ([●]) Lock-Up Shares (the “Second Tranche”), upon the date on which the last reported sale price of the Acquiror Common Stock exceeds $12.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period that commences at least six (6) months after the Closing Date (for the avoidance of doubt no Transfer Restriction shall apply to the First Tranche or the Second Tranche after the expiration of the Second Lock-Up Period);

 

 

1Note to Draft: Amount to be 1/3rd of the Company’s shares received by the Stockholder immediately following the Closing.
2Note to Draft: Amount to be 1/3rd of the Company’s shares received by the Stockholder immediately following the Closing.

 

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(iii)the Transfer Restriction shall expire with respect to an additional [●]3 ([●]) Lock-Up Shares (the “Third Tranche”), upon expiration of the Third Lock-Up Period (for the avoidance of doubt no Transfer Restriction shall apply to any Lock-up Shares after the expiration of the Third Lock-Up Period); and

 

(iv)on the date on which post-merger Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of post-merger Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the Transfer Restriction will terminate with respect to all Lock-Up Shares.

 

(c) The per share stock prices referenced in this Agreement will be equitably adjusted on account of any changes in the equity securities of the Company by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or business combination, or by any other means.

 

(d) If any Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and the Company shall refuse to recognize any such transferee of the Lock-Up Shares as one of its equity holders for any purpose. In order to enforce this Section 2, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Lock-Up Shares (and any Permitted Transferees and assigns thereof) until the end of any Lock-Up Period, as applicable.

 

(e) During the applicable Lock-Up Period, each certificate (if any are issued) evidencing any Lock-Up Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF DECEMBER 6, 2023, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”) AND THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

(f) For the avoidance of any doubt, the Stockholder shall retain all of its rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Lock-Up Shares during the applicable Lock-Up Period, including the right to vote any Lock-Up Shares.

 

3. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Effective Date. Section 1 of this Agreement shall become effective at the Effective Time.

 

(b) Termination of the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement and all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.

 

 

3Note to Draft: Amount to be 1/3rd of the Company’s shares received by the Stockholder immediately following the Closing.

 

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(c) Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by e-mail (having obtained electronic delivery confirmation thereof), (iii) one (1) Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, provided, however, that notice given pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) above shall not be effective unless a duplicate copy of such notice is also given in person or by e-mail (having obtained electronic delivery confirmation thereof), in each case (a) to the Company at the following addresses (or at such other address for the Company as shall be specified by like notice): African Agriculture Holdings Inc., 415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: General Counsel; and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) shall also be sent to Morrison Cohen LLP, 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attn: Jack Levy; Anthony Saur, email: jlevy@morrisoncohen.com; amsaur@morrisoncohen.com and (b) if to Stockholder, at Stockholder’s address or facsimile number as set forth in the Company’s books and records.

 

(d) Incorporation by Reference. Sections 1.02 (Construction) 11.03 (Assignment), 11.06 (Governing Law), 11.07 (Captions; Counterparts), 11.09 (Entire Agreement), 11.10 (Amendments), 11.11 (Severability), 11.12 (Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial), 11.13 (Enforcement) and 11.15 (Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  STOCKHOLDER:
     
  [          ]
     
  By:  
  Name:                         
  Title:  

 

  COMPANY:
   
  AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.
     
  By:  
  Name:                         
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.32

 

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of_______, 2023, by and between African Agriculture Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and __________(“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Company believes that, in order to attract and retain highly qualified persons to serve as directors or in other capacities, including as officers, it must provide those persons with adequate protection through indemnification against the risk of claims and actions against them arising out of their services to and activities on behalf of the Company. The Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and the Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The Charter, Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;

 

The Company desires and has requested Indemnitee to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company and, in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve as a [director] [officer] of the Company, the Company is willing to grant the Indemnitee the indemnification provided for herein. Indemnitee is willing to so serve on the basis that such indemnification be provided.

 

The parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and the advancement of expenses. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth below, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

1. SERVICES TO THE COMPANY. In consideration of the Company’s covenants and obligations hereunder, Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders Indemnitee’s resignation or until Indemnitee is removed. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director, officer, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as provided in Section 14. This Agreement, however, shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.

 

 

 

 

2. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(b) (i) A “change in control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following: (A) any person (as defined below) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, (B) during any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of that period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (A), clause (C) or clause (D) of this Section 2(b)(i) or a director whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of the Board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the Board) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board, (C) the effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after the merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of the surviving entity, and (D) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, and (E) there occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to those reporting requirement.

 

(ii) For purposes of Section 2(b)(i), the following terms have the following meanings:

 

(I) “person” has the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that “person” shall exclude (a) the Company, (b) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (c) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

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(II) “beneficial owner” has the meaning given to that term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

(c) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which that person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

(d) “Delaware Court” means the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

 

(e) “Enterprise” means the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

(f) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(g) “Expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below), including reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. “Expenses,” however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

(h) References to “fines” includes any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” includes any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, the director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

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(i) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(j) The term “Person” has the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employment benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(k) The term “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

(l) The term “Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.

 

3. INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of those Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually, and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with the Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

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4. INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with the Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee has been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee if the court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.

 

5. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in the Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in the Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to the claim, issue or matter.

 

6. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness or deponent in any Proceeding (including, without limitation, any Proceeding to which Indemnitee was or is not a party or threatened to be made a party), Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

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7. ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS. Notwithstanding any limitation in Section 3, Section 4 or Section 5, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of those Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this Section 7 on account of Indemnitee’s conduct that constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.

 

8. CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to the payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

(b) The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in the Proceeding) unless the settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

(c) The Company shall fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

 

9. EXCLUSIONS. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, advance expenses, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

(a) for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity or advancement provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity or advancement provision or otherwise;

 

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(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or

 

(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless, as provided pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Bylaws (or that provision as revised, amended or re-numbered), (i) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors, or (ii) the indemnification is required to be made under Section 8.3 of the Bylaws, or any such provision as revised, amended or re- numbered, addressing the enforcement of an Indemnitee’s indemnification rights. Indemnitee shall seek payments or advances from the Company only to the extent that the payments or advances are unavailable from any insurance policy of the Company covering Indemnitee.

 

10. ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting advances from time to time, prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law, payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advanced amounts to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws, applicable law or otherwise. This Section 10(a) shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

 

(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

(c) The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, liability, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

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11. PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a) Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company hereunder, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof. The failure to promptly notify the Company of the commencement of the action, suit or proceeding, or of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification, will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee hereunder, except to the extent the Company is actually and materially prejudiced in its defense of the action, suit or proceeding as a result of the failure. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor including any documentation and information reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to enable the Company to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

 

(b) With respect to any action, suit or proceeding of which the Company is notified as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall, subject to the last two sentences of this paragraph, be entitled to assume the defense of the action, suit or proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of the notice, approval of that counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of that counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any subsequently-incurred fees of separate counsel engaged by Indemnitee with respect to the same action, suit or proceeding unless the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized in writing by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Indemnitee, based on the advice of his or her counsel, reasonably concludes (with written notice being given to the Company setting forth the basis for the conclusion) that, in the conduct of the defense, there is or is reasonably likely to be a conflict of interest or position between the Company and Indemnitee with respect to a significant issue, then the Company will not be entitled, without the written consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense. In addition, the Company will not be entitled, without the written consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Company.

 

(c) To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Company’s assumption of the defense of an action, suit or proceeding in accordance with Section 11(b) will constitute an irrevocable acknowledgement by the Company that any loss and liability suffered by Indemnitee and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement by or for the account of Indemnitee incurred in connection therewith are indemnifiable by the Company under this Agreement.

 

(d) The determination whether to grant Indemnitee’s indemnification request shall be made promptly and in any event within 30 days following the Company’s receipt of a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a). If the Company determines that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or, as contemplated by Section 11(c), the Company has acknowledged the entitlement, the Company will make payment to Indemnitee of the indemnifiable amount within the 30 day period. If the Company is not deemed to have acknowledged the entitlement or the Company’s determination of whether to grant Indemnitee’s indemnification request has not been made within the 30 day period, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, subject to Section 9, nonetheless be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of indemnification under the DGCL.

 

8

 

 

(e) If (i) the Company determines that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) the Company denies a request for indemnification, in whole or in part, or fails to respond or make a determination of entitlement to indemnification within 30 days following receipt of a request for indemnification as described above, (iii) payment of indemnification is not made within the 30 day period, (iv) advancement of Expenses is not timely made in accordance with Section 10, or (v) the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in any court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Indemnitee’s Expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, in whole or in part, in any such proceeding or otherwise shall also be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

 

(f) Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification and advancement of Expenses under this Agreement upon submission of a request therefor in accordance with Section 10 or Section 11, as the case may be. The Company shall have the burden of proof in overcoming the presumption, and the presumption shall be used as a basis for a determination of entitlement to indemnification and advancement of Expenses unless the Company overcomes the presumption by clear and convincing evidence.

 

(g) If there is a change in control of the Company, then with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Agreement, any other agreement or the Company’s Charter or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect, the Company shall seek legal advice only from independent counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). In addition, upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a), a determination, if required by the DGCL, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made by the independent counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. The Company shall pay the reasonable fees of the independent counsel referred to above.

 

12. SECURITY. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.

 

9

 

 

13. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION.

 

(a) The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when the Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) or claim, issue or matter therein arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to the amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Charter, the Bylaws or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by the change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

(b) The DGCL, the Charter and the Bylaws permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“Indemnification Arrangements”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against Indemnitee or incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee or in the capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of Indemnitee’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify Indemnitee against that liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the DGCL, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any Indemnification Arrangement.

 

(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managers, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which the person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by the policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, trustee, partner, managers, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under the policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness, deponent or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause the insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of the Proceeding in accordance with the terms of the policies.

 

10

 

 

(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be subrogated to the extent of the payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure those rights, including execution of any documents necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce those rights.

 

(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from the Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing those duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.

 

14. DURATION OF AGREEMENT. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 8.3 of this Agreement) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, whether or not Indemnitee is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.

 

15. SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing the provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) the provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph, sentence or clause of this Agreement containing the provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

11

 

 

16. ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT.

 

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.

 

(b) Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Charter or Bylaws as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

(c) The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, trustee, general partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

(d) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place.

 

(e) The Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that a breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, Indemnitee may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be entitled to specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

17. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

12

 

 

18. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom the notice or other communication shall have been directed, (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed or (iii) when delivered by email, solely if delivery is confirmed:

 

(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.

 

(b) If to the Company, to:

 

African Agriculture Holdings, Inc.

415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Hans Thomas

E-mail: hans@10xcapital.com

 

with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

 

Morrison Cohen LLP

909 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022-4784

Attention: Jack Levy

Anthony Saur

E-mail: jlevy@morrisoncohen.com

amsaur@morrisoncohen.com

 

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.

 

19. APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the parties hereby agree that the mailing of process and other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided by Section 18 or in any other manner permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.

 

13

 

 

20. IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission in portable document format (.pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. Only one counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

21. MISCELLANEOUS. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

22. PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS. No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.

 

23. ADDITIONAL ACTS. If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company undertakes to cause the act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

 

24. MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain in effect during the entire period for which the Company is obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement, one or more policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies to provide the officers/directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. Indemnitee shall be covered by the policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director or officer under the policy or policies. In all such insurance policies, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors and officers.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

14

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.
     
  By:                          
  Name:   
  Title:  
     
  INDEMNITEE
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Indemnity Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 16.1

 

December 12, 2023

 

Office of the Chief Accountant

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have read the statements of African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated December 12, 2023. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01, in which we were informed of our dismissal on December 12, 2023. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

 

New York, New York

Exhibit 21.1

 

AFRICAN AGRICLUTURE, INC.

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES AS OF

December 12, 2023

 

Subsidiary   State or Jurisdiction Under Which Organized
     
African Agriculture, Inc.   Delaware
     
Agro-Industries   Cayman Islands
     
La Fermes de la Teranga   Senegal
     
African Agriculture, Niger   Niger
     
African Agriculture Mauritania LLC   Mauritania

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    
     
Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2022   F-2
     
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022   F-3
     
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022   F-4
     
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022   F-5
     
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022   F-6
     
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022   F-7

 

F-1

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   Unaudited     
   September 30,   December 31, 
   2023   2022 
ASSETS        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents  $34,497   $10,058 
Inventory - current   260,054    314,849 
Prepaid expenses   963,738    989,703 
Accounts receivable   36,958    87,755 
Other receivable   10,826    103,115 
Total current assets   1,306,073    1,505,480 
           
Long-term inventory   109,667    276,581 
Property, plant, and equipment, net   2,043,187    2,222,521 
Operating lease right-of-use asset   6,642,096    2,318,959 
Intangible asset, net   4,456,809    4,543,818 
Deposits   11,876    11,977 
Total assets  $14,569,708   $10,879,336 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $6,552,462   $4,703,191 
Accrued expenses   1,529,252    832,346 
Seller note payable - current   1,958,333    1,664,631 
Operating lease liabilities - current   16,070    14,514 
Other payables   176,708    123,237 
Short term convertible notes   1,969,321    1,969,321 
Short term debt   988,925    586,425 
Related party payables - current   625,879    - 
Total current liabilities   13,816,950    9,893,665 
           
Non-current liabilities          
Accrual for contingent liabilities   2,236,841    2,271,181 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current   6,796,367    2,352,645 
Related party payables   211,398    108,277 
Total liabilities  $23,061,556   $14,625,768 
           
Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders’ deficit:          
          
Common stock; par value $0.0001, 70,000,000 shares authorized, 39,141,705 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022   3,914    3,914 
Additional paid-in-capital   61,115,793    36,867,572 
Accumulated deficit   (69,575,490)   (40,558,626)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (36,065)   (59,292)
Total shareholders’ deficit   (8,491,848)   (3,746,432)
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit  $14,569,708   $10,879,336 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-2

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

 

   For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2023   2022 
         
Revenue        
Sales  $1,451,236   $330,291 
Cost of goods sold   1,031,135    319,711 
Gross profit   420,101    10,580 
Operating expenses:          
Employee compensation   24,163,737    561,492 
Professional fees   3,760,393    2,896,365 
Equipment rental   19,329    77,826 
Operating lease expense   165,079    302,027 
Amortization   87,009    87,009 
Depreciation   177,194    196,349 
Utilities and fuel   61,410    67,578 
Travel and entertainment   104,920    117,697 
Program development and design   -    101,893 
Other operating expenses   272,234    308,032 
Total operating expenses   28,811,305    4,716,268 
Loss from operations   (28,391,204)   (4,705,688)
           
Other (income) expenses:          
Foreign currency exchange gain   (17,563)   (297,886)
Loss on sale of assets   -    21,281 
Interest expense - related party   33,078    517,085 
Interest expense - other   618,588    276,642 
Other income   (8,443)   - 
Total other expense   625,660    517,122 
           
Loss before provision for income tax   (29,016,864)   (5,222,810)
           
Provision for income tax   -    - 
           
Net loss  $(29,016,864)  $(5,222,810)
           
Loss per share   (0.75)   (0.14)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-3

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)

 

   For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2023   2022 
Comprehensive loss        
Net loss  $(29,016,864)  $(5,222,810)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   23,227    642,178 
Total comprehensive loss  $(28,993,637)  $(4,580,632)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-4

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(UNAUDITED)

 

      Additional       Accumulated Other     
   Common Stock   Paid-In   Accumulated   Comprehensive     
   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   (Loss) Income   Total 
Balance, January 1, 2022   36,148,601   $3,615   $1,160,297   $(14,305,129)  $(655,675)  $(13,796,892)
Foreign currency translation   -    -    -    -    642,178    642,178 
Imputed interest expense on shareholder loan   -    -    517,084    -    -    517,084 
Net loss   -    -    -    (5,222,810)   -    (5,222,810)
Balance, September 30, 2022   36,148,601    3,615    1,677,381    (19,527,939)   (13,497)   (17,860,440)
                               
Balance, January 1, 2023   39,141,705    3,914    36,867,572    (40,558,626)   (59,292)   (3,746,432)
Foreign currency translation   -    -    -    -    23,227    23,227 
Imputed interest expense on shareholder loan   -    -    33,078    -    -    33,078 
Share based compensation   -    -    24,215,143    -    -    24,215,143 
Net loss   -    -    -    (29,016,864)   -    (29,016,864)
Balance, September 30, 2023   39,141,705   $3,914   $61,115,793   $(69,575,490)  $(36,065)  $(8,491,848)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-5

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 

   For the nine months ended
Sept 30,
 
   2023   2022 
         
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss  $(29,016,864)  $(5,222,810)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation   177,194    196,349 
Amortization   87,009    87,009 
Loss on sale of equipment   -    45,189 
Share based compensation   24,215,143    - 
Foreign currency exchange gain   (17,563)   (297,886)
Non-cash interest expense   651,666    793,727 
Non-cash lease expense   165,079    206,760 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Inventory   221,544    (377,299)
Prepaid expenses   25,965    (649,988)
Accounts receivable   51,185    (59,678)
Other receivable   93,498    (6,808)
Accounts payable   1,857,862    2,487,126 
Accrued expenses   350,541    179,462 
Accrual for contingent liabilities   (14,857)   (148,462)
Other payables   55,804    - 
Net cash used in operating activities   (1,096,794)   (2,767,309)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Proceeds from sales of equipment   -    29,370 
Property, plant, and equipment purchases   (13,563)   (188,614)
Net cash used in investing activities   (13,563)   (159,244)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from related party payables   729,000    1,755,605 
Principal repayments on seller note payable   -    (1,076,350)
Proceeds of debt issuance   402,500    2,306,821 
Net cash provided by financing activities   1,131,500    2,986,076 
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   3,296    (73,195)
           
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   24,439    (13,672)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   10,058    19,093 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $34,497   $5,421 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:          
Income taxes paid  $-   $- 
Interest paid  $-   $- 
Non-cash items          
Operating lease right-of-use asset assumed through operating lease obligation  $4,338,175   $2,336,336 
Accounts payable relieved to convertible debt  $-   $152,500 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

F-6

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION

 

African Agriculture, Inc. (the “Company”), is focused on commercial farming, fishery logistics and management, and carbon offset production. The Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on May 7, 2021. Under a Contribution Agreement dated June 24, 2021, by and between the shareholders of Agro Industries Corp and African Agriculture, Inc., Agro Industries Corp agreed to transfer all of its right, title and interest into the Company in exchange for common shares in the Company, with the shareholders of Agro Industries Corp becoming the shareholders of African Agriculture, Inc. pro rata to their existing ownership. Effective for this transaction, the Company owns 100% of Agro Industries Corp, formerly Agro Industries Corp Sub One, a company that was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on January 15, 2018 (“Agro Industries”). The Company is deemed the accounting predecessor and will be the successor for reporting purposes, meaning that prior to formation of the Company, the financials of the Company are the financials of Agro Industries for such previous periods.

 

Agro Industries has a wholly owned subsidiary, Les Fermes De La Teranga (“LFT”), which is a Senegalese Company formed in Dakar, Senegal. On February 28, 2018, Agro Industries, purchased approximately 91% of the outstanding equity of LFT. During 2021, the shareholders of LFT completed a share swap to enable Agro Industries shareholders to contribute their shares in exchange for shares of African Agriculture resulting in Agro Industries, the 100% owner of LFT, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of African Agriculture. In March 2022, the Company formed a 100% owned subsidiary named African Agriculture Niger SA for purposes of developing operations in Niger.

 

In November 2022, the Company entered into a definitive Business Combination Agreement with 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: VCXA). If the Company and VCXA successfully complete the business combination, the Company will merge with and into a subsidiary of VCXA in exchange for VCXA shares being issued to existing shareholders of the Company, with the result being that the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of VCXA and the Company’s existing shareholders will become the majority shareholders of VCXA. The potential business combination is still subject to various closing conditions including a shareholders vote.

 

On November 1, 2022, the Company approved a 3,614.8601-for-1 common stock split and increased the total number of shares authorized to be issued to 70,000,000 common shares. Unless noted otherwise, all previously reported shares have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this stock split.

 

On July 25, 2023, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary African Agriculture Mauritania LLC SARL for purposes of developing operations in Mauritania.

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The information included in the quarterly financial information should be read in connection with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, which are included in this filing.

 

In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2023, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, reflect all adjustments, which are normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year or any future periods.

 

F-7

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

 

Uses and Sources of Liquidity

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business, and does not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to its ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $29.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, and used cash in continuing operations of $1.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively. The Company’s operations have historically been financed principally by loans from its majority shareholder, Global Commodities and Investments Limited, a Cayman Islands registered limited liability company (“Global Commodities”) and its affiliated entities. The Company’s primary sources of liquidity to date are loans from Global Commodities, sales of unneeded fixed assets from the prior ownership, various convertible and short-term debt instruments issued by the Company as well as the sale of alfalfa, which began during the second quarter of 2022. The Company does not have sufficient cash on hand or available liquidity to meet its obligations through the twelve months following the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. This condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern should capital not be introduced.

 

On a go-forward basis the primary sources of liquidity are expected to be cash from operations, potential capital raises, grants and debt financing if available and deemed in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Company’s liquidity requirements are to expand development of alfalfa production, finance current operations, meet financial commitments, fund organic growth and/or acquisitions, if any, and service debt, if outside debt financing is obtained. The liquidity requirements will fluctuate with the level and pace of expansion of the acreage being planted, harvested and sold, the effects of the timing between the settlement of payables and receivables, and our general working capital needs for ongoing operations. Estimating liquidity requirements is highly dependent on farming yields, then-current market conditions, including selling prices, costs of all farming inputs, market volatility and our then existing capital structure and requirements. It is anticipated that once the Company has fully developed the Senegal property it will have sufficient resources to fund the ongoing operations of the Company.

 

In connection with this Business Combination Agreement VCXA and the Company have secured a $100 million equity line of credit facility from an affiliate of Yorkville Advisors. In addition, VCXA and the Company have secured an up to $100 million backstop commitment to help offset the impact of potential shareholder redemptions from a client of Cohen & Company Financial Management, LLC. The liquidity from these agreements will be available to the Company only following a successful closing of the business combination agreement and a resulting merger with VCXA.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation. The portion of a subsidiary owned by other investors is shown as non-controlling interest on the consolidated financial statements. After taking into account the impact of the Contribution Agreement discussed in Note 1, the Company now owns 100% of Agro Industries Corp and therefore the Company no longer records any non-controlling interest.

 

F-8

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“$”), which is the reporting currency of the Company. The functional currency of the Company is the United States dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries located in Senegal and Niger is the West African Franc (“CFA”).

 

For the entities whose functional currencies are the CFA, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period (1 CFA=$0.001651 for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 and 1 CFA=$0.001614 for the nine-months ended September 30, 2022), assets and liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate at the end of the period (1 CFA=$0.001614 at September 30, 2023, and 1 CFA=$0.001628 at December 31, 2022), and equity is translated at blended historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions of future events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. Significant estimates and assumptions by management include, among others, useful lives and impairment of long-lived assets, contingent liabilities, imputed interest expense and income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. While the Company believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in bank accounts, cash in time deposits, certificates of deposit and all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 cash balances were held at JP Morgan Chase and in various banks in Senegal and Niger. There were no cash equivalents at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

Property, plant, and equipment consist of farming and farming support equipment, and office equipment. All property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost net of accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the following periods:

 

Buildings   40 years
Irrigation equipment   20 years
Industrial equipment   6-10 years
Office furniture and equipment   5 years
Motor vehicle and transportation equipment   10 years
Other equipment   3 years

 

F-9

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

 

Leases

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. To the extent an arrangement represents a lease, the Company classifies that lease as an operating lease or a finance lease under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and its related ASUs (“ASC 842”).

 

The Company capitalizes operating leases on its Consolidated Balance Sheets through a Right-of-Use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the operating lease. Operating lease ROU assets and obligations are recognized at the commencement date of an arrangement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term utilizing an interest rate that the Company would have incurred to borrow over a similar term the funds necessary to purchase the leased asset. Operating leases are included in “Operating lease right-of-use assets, net,” “Current portion of operating lease liabilities,” and “Non-current operating lease liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

For additional information regarding the Company’s leases, see Note 4 — Leases.

 

Inventory

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated on the basis of the first-in, first-out method; market is based upon estimated replacement costs. Costs included in inventory primarily include the following: cost of seeds, farming inputs such as fertilizer, gypsum, water and fuel as well as inbound freight cost. Each pivot is cleared, treated with fertilizer and various phytosanitary products and seeded ahead of the life cycle of alfalfa, which we currently estimate to be approximately three years. These initial costs are amortized using a straight-line method over that life cycle. The portion of these costs expected to amortize after twelve months is included in long-term inventory.

 

Intangible Asset

 

The intangible asset consists of a land use right of 20,000 hectares provided by way of a Senegal Presidential decree. The value of the intangible was established based on its estimated fair value at the time of the asset purchase of LFT by Agro Industries in 2018. Amortization of the intangible asset is calculated on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the decree, which at the time of the purchase had 44 years of a 50-year term remaining. As of September 30, 2023, approximately 39 years remain under this decree. Refer to Note 5 for further discussion.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company’s long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Impairment evaluations involve management’s estimates on asset useful lives and future cash flows. Actual useful lives and cash flows could be different from those estimated by management which could have a material effect on our reporting results and financial position. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. There was no impairment charge for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022.

 

F-10

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company adopted ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures.

 

The three levels are defined as follows:

 

  Level 1 —  inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
     
  Level 2 —  inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.
     
  Level 3 —  inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

 

Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses, advances from prospective customers/distributors, amounts due to related parties, notes payable and contingent liabilities. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

 

For the periods presented, there were no financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company follows the liability method in accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC topic 740 (“ASC 740”), Income Taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740 to account for uncertainty in income taxes. ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing the recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company will classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if and when required, as part of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company’s revenue is derived from the sale of agricultural products. The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606. To achieve that core principle, the Company applies the following steps:

 

1.Identify the contract(s) with a customer;

 

2.Identify the performance obligations in the contract;

 

3.Determine the transaction price;

 

4.Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract;

 

5.Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

 

F-11

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

 

The Company recognizes its revenue at a point in time when it satisfies a performance obligation and transfers control of the product, primarily bales of alfalfa, to the respective customer. For domestic product sales, the Company meets its performance obligation upon the shipment of the products from its facilities to its customer. For international product sales, the Company meets its performance obligation upon delivery of the products to the customer’s international carrier. The Company does not provide any services to its customers currently.

 

The amount of revenue recognized is based on the fixed transaction price. Contracts for the Company’s products are negotiated on a per-contract basis at a regional level. Contracts vary in volume and price but typically have a single performance obligation, the delivery of bales of alfalfa.

 

The Company’s payment terms vary by the type and location of its customers and type of product. The Company receives cash equal to the invoice amount for its product sales, and payment terms typically range from 30 to 90 days from the date the Company invoices a customer. Since the period between the delivery of the Company’s products and the Company’s receipt of customer payment for these products and services is not expected to exceed one year, the Company has elected not to calculate or disclose a financing component for its customer contracts. The Company excludes sales taxes, value added taxes, and other taxes it collects concurrent with revenue producing activities from revenue. The Company’s contract assets at September 30, 2023, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021consisted of accounts receivable, which totaled $36,958, $87,755 and $0, respectively.

 

Share-based compensation

 

The Company measures compensation expense for all stock-based awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation  —  Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation is measured at fair value on grant date and recognized as compensation expense ratably over the course of the requisite service period. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is typically determined based on the fair value of the related shares on the date of grant. The Company has elected to record forfeitures of employee awards as they occur.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

Comprehensive loss is defined as the decrease in equity of the Company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Comprehensive loss is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, including net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments, presented net of tax.

 

Earnings per Share

 

Earnings per share are computed by dividing net income/(loss) applicable to the weighted number of shares outstanding during the period. The Company completed a share split on November 1, 2022 in the ratio of 3,614.8601:1.There were 39,141,705 shares outstanding at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Neither the RSUs granted during the year ended December 31, 2022 nor the 291,911 shares that would be issued if the Company’s Convertible Promissory Notes that were issued during 2022 were converted by their terms as of September 30, 2023 were included in the calculations of earnings per share as these instruments are anti-dilutive.

 

Accounting Changes

 

Leases — ASC 842

 

On January 1, 2022, and effective January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” using the modified retrospective transition method allowing it to apply the new standard at the adoption date and to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on the date of adoption. Under this transition method, the prior comparative period continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for that period.

 

F-12

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)

 

The Company elected to use the package of practical expedients permitted which allows (i) an entity not to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; (ii) an entity need not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and (iii) an entity need not reassess any initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company made an accounting policy election to adopt the short-term lease exception which allows the Company to not recognize on the balance sheet those leases with terms of 12 months or less resulting in short-term lease payments being recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. All of the Company’s leases were previously classified as operating and are similarly classified as operating lease under the new standard.

 

Adoption of the new standard resulted in recognition of right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities of $2,336,336 as of January 1, 2022. There was no cumulative effect on retained earnings upon adoption.

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers — ASC 606

 

The Company adopted ASC 606 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2022. Prior to 2022, the Company had no revenue from contracts with customers.

 

Upon adoption of ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when the product is received by the customer for domestic transactions or by the customer’s international carrier for its international transactions. The Company believes this better reflects the point at which the customer has control of the product as required by ASC 606. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 3 — Property Plant and Equipment

 

Property plant and equipment, net consists of the following:

 

   September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Buildings  $93,997   $94,825 
Office furniture and equipment   105,545    105,172 
Irrigation and industrial equipment   4,257,422    4,291,465 
Motor vehicle and transportation equipment   23,235    20,672 
Other equipment   371,573    368,973 
Total   4,851,772    4,881,107 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (2,808,585)   (2,658,586)
Property, plant, and equipment, net  $2,043,187   $2,222,521 

 

NOTE 4 — LEASEs

 

On January 1, 2022, and effective January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASC 842. Under ASC 842, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Leases with an initial term greater than 12 months are recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets based on lease classification as either operating or financing. The Company may enter into lease agreements that include lease and non-lease components for which the Company has elected to not separate for all classes of underlying assets. The Company’s current lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company may also sublease its ROU assets to third parties in the future.

 

F-13

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 4 — LEASEs (cont.)

 

As a lessee, the Company’s current operating lease portfolio consists of three operating leases for farmland. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease obligations are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments at commencement date. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit borrowing rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the lease information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The initial incremental borrowing rate utilized for the Fass Lease (as defined below) and Niger Land Right (as defined below) was based upon the interest rate associated with the Company’s analysis of borrowing rates relating to “Senegal, 6.25% 2033, USD International Bonds” adjusted for credit and political risks. The Company believes this rate is a proxy for its incremental borrowing rate that would be utilized if it were to acquire assets or fund its working capital needs in Senegal and Niger. For the Company’s recently signed lease in Mauritania as there is no reference or comparable debt issuances, the Company utilized the same reference rate used for Niger Land Right, however adjusted the rate to also consider the increasing global rates since the commencement date of the Niger Land Right.

 

The Company’s current three leases are under long-term (greater than one year) non-cancellable term leases. The Company had one short-term lease and may also enter into other short-term or month-to-month operating leases in the future as required by its operations.

 

Operating leases are included in “Operating lease right-of-use assets, net,” “Current portion of operating lease liabilities,” and “Non-current operating lease liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company has a non-cancellable convention agreement with the Fass Ngom community in Senegal (“Fass Lease”) that provides for the right to use 5,000 hectares. The original agreement was signed in 2018, but revised in 2021, largely on the same terms, for a 15-year term.

 

On November 27, 2021 and December 5, 2021, the Company and Agro Industries signed binding definitive agreements with the mayor and local governments of Aderbissinat and Ingall, respectively, in Niger each under a 49-year term for the right to use and development the land (“Niger Land Right”). The project will involve the planting of up to 1.1 million hectares of trees in each of Aderbissinat and Ingall, for an aggregate of 2.2 million hectares, to optimize the production of carbon credits and commercial production of alfalfa in areas to be mutually agreed upon by the parties, as well as water and usage rights. Pursuant to the Aderbissinat and Ingall agreements, the Company agreed to pay for each agreement approximately $86,000 per year. Once the sale of carbon credits commences the annual payment amount will increase to approximately $1.1 million for each of the Aderbissinat and Ingall leases. In addition, during the first year of the sale of carbon credits, we are required to pay an additional $129,000 for each agreement for budgetary support to each region. To date no carbon credits have been sold.

 

Following the formation of the Company’s Mauritanian subsidiary a lease signed between the Company, the community of Gie Dynn and the Government of Mauritania (the “Mauritania Lease”) became effective. This lease is for 20 years and covers 2,033 hectares of land. Of this land, 80%, or 1,626 hectares will be used by the Company for farming alfalfa with the balance being farmed, at the Company’s cost, at the direction of the community. The Company has agreed to invest up to $30 million into this project over the next 20 years. The annual cost of the 1,626 hectares will be $300 per hectare per annum, subject to an annual increase consistent with the household consumption index (a proxy for local inflation). In addition, the Company will pay 5% of annual net profits earned on the 1,626 hectares to the community subject to an annual minimum payment of approximately $122,000.

 

The Fass Lease, the Niger Land Right and the Mauritania Lease are operating leases under ASC 842.

 

F-14

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 4 — LEASEs (cont.)

 

Short-term Lease

 

In August 2021, the Company entered into a one-year lease agreement with a company that its wholly-owned by Gora Seck for residential accommodations (“Seck Lease”) for use by employees. The monthly lease rate for this lease was approximately $11,200 per month. As this lease was not longer than 12 months, the lease expense was recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This lease was not renewed in 2022.

 

The associated lease costs have been recognized in our consolidated statement of operations as follows:

 

   For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2023   2022 
Operating lease cost  $165,079   $206,760 
Short-term lease cost  $   $95,268 

 

Other information about the lease amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements is as follows:

 

   September 30,
2023
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases   27.9 years 
Weighted-average incremental borrowing rate – operating leases   11.18%

 

Our lease liabilities as reported on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet consists of the following:

 

   September 30,
2023
 
Gross lease liabilities  $21,123,379 
Less: Imputed interest   14,310,942 
Present value of lease liabilities  $6,812,437 
Less: current portion of lease liabilities   16,070 
Total long-term lease liabilities  $6,796,367 

 

The following summarizes our rent payments for the Fass Lease, the Niger Land Right and the Mauritania Lease operating leases as of September 30, 2023:

 

2023 (remaining)  $324,436 
2024   825,657 
2025   826,533 
2026   827,426 
2027   828,338 
Thereafter   17,490,989 
   $21,123,379 

 

F-15

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 5 — Intangible Asset

 

The Company recognized an intangible asset in connection with the purchase of LFT related to the 50-year land use right of 20,000 hectares provided by way of a Republic of Senegal Presidential Decree.

 

The intangible asset, net consists of the following:

 

   September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Land use right  $5,104,546   $5,104,546 
Less: Accumulated amortization   (647,737)   (560,728)
Intangible asset, net  $4,456,809   $4,543,818 

 

Scheduled amortization of the land use right at March 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

2023 (remaining)  $29,003 
2024   116,012 
2025   116,012 
2026   116,012 
2027   116,012 
2028 and thereafter   3,963,758 
   $4,456,809 

 

At September 30, 2023, management looked primarily at the undiscounted future cash flows of the Company, based on management’s estimates, in its assessment of whether or not this intangible asset was impaired. There were no impairments with respect to this intangible asset during the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022.

 

NOTE 6 — INVENTORY

 

The costs for establishing the seeded pivots including seeds, land preparation and various phytosanitary products that are applied prior to and in conjunction with the initial seeding, but which will not be reapplied during the growing and harvesting stages are allocated quarterly to the cost of production over the seed cycle, which we estimate will be three years. The remaining unallocated costs are included in inventory. In addition, all other ongoing costs associated with the continued growing and harvesting of each pivot are included in inventory. The allocated quarterly costs together with a harvested cost of the sold bales are allocated to cost of sales based on a first in first out method. The assessment of the recoverability of inventories and the amounts of any write-downs are based on currently available information and assumptions about future demand and market conditions. There is no contemplation of any write down of our current inventory.

 

   September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Seed costs, fertilizer, other direct costs to be allocated over cycle – current  $219,334   $221,264 
Inventory available for sale   736    61,067 
Seed inventory   25,208    28,387 
Fertilizer and other phytosanitary materials   14,776    4,131 
Inventory – current  $260,054   $314,849 
Long term inventory   109,667    276,581 
Total inventory  $369,721   $591,430 

 

F-16

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 7 — Related Party Payables and Transactions

 

During the normal course of business, the Company may enter into transactions with significant shareholders, directors and principal officers and their affiliates.

 

The Company has an unsecured payable due to a related party, the majority shareholder, Global Commodities & Investments Ltd. (“Global Commodities”). The related party payable does not have a stated interest rate. The payable between Global Commodities, and the Company has a 60-month rolling term following the creation of payables within each year. These payables are West African CFA Franc denominated and translated at year end spot rates. Since the time of the acquisition of LFT by Agro Industries, the majority shareholder has continued to provide funding to support the working capital needs of the business. Each new funding has been added to the principal of the related party payable. The balance of the related party loan, $16,130,522, was converted into equity during 2022. Global Commodities continued to provide funds to the Company as a related party payable after this conversion. The Company entered into a Payoff, Waiver and Release Agreement (the “GCIL Payoff Agreement”) in October 2022 with Global Commodities. The GCIL Payoff Agreement called for, among other things, the issuance of Company shares in repayment of $16,130,522. The GCIL Payoff Agreement calls for the termination of all outstanding principal amount of loans and all unpaid interest through the date of such payoff.

 

In January 2023, the Company issued to a related party, 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC an additional $225,000 Promissory Note bearing no interest. This Note maturity is the earlier of (i) the receipt of funds by Borrower from an equity, equity-linked, or debt financing and (ii) the Closing of the VCXA Merger Agreement. In May 2023, the $225,000 Promissory Note issued to the related party was amended and an additional $62,000 was issued pursuant to this note. The amendment further provided that the Note can be drawn on up to $750,000 in the aggregate. As part of this amendment, the Company agreed to issue to the Promissory Note holder a number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Extension Shares”), equal to the number of Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II transferred to investors in connection with any past or future extensions of the deadline by which VCXA must consummate an initial business combination. In June through September an additional $338,879 was issued pursuant to this Promissory Note.

 

The Company previously had a related party loan with a minority shareholder, which also had no stated interest rate or maturity. The related party payable to the minority shareholder, was converted into equity in LFT during 2021.

 

The related party obligations of the Company are comprised of the following:

 

   September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Global Commodities  $211,398   $108,277 
10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC   625,879    - 
Total  $837,277   $108,277 

 

As of September 30, 2023, the related party payable has the following maturity schedule:

 

2023 (remaining)  $625,879 
2024    
2025    
2026    
2027   108,277 
2028   103,121 
   $837,277 

 

F-17

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 7 — Related Party Payables and Transactions (cont.)

 

In addition, to the shareholder loans, Global Commodities provided a loan repayment guarantee to the sellers of the LFT shares in the 2018 transaction. Refer Note 8 — Seller Note Payable.

 

As the related party payables have no stated interest rate, an imputed interest rate has been applied against such loan to represent an arms-length arrangement between the Company and the related party. The Company estimates comparable debt as of the date of the origination would incur interest of one-month SOFR plus 2.5% on an annual basis. Historically LIBOR was used as a reference rate, however as LIBOR is phased out, the Company began using SOFR. The following table summarizes imputed interest to related parties during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. As this interest has not been paid on an annual basis it has been recorded as additional paid-in-capital.

 

   September 30,
2023
   September 30,
2022
 
Imputed interest rate (SOFR + 2.5%)   7.81%   5.64%
Imputed interest – additional paid-in-capital  $33,078   $517,085 

 

During the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, Gora Seck who serves on the board of LFT and is a minority shareholder of the Company received consulting payments for work conducted in Senegal of approximately $86,842 and $133,708, respectively. In addition, in August 2021, the Company entered into a one-year lease agreement with a company that is majority owned by Gora Seck. The monthly lease rate for this lease was approximately $11,200 per month. This lease expired in 2022 and was not renewed.

 

NOTE 8 — Seller Note Payable

 

The Company issued a note payable to Tampieri Financial Group in connection with the LFT asset acquisition in February 2018. In November 2022, Tampieri Financial Group agreed to a delayed payment of the balance of the seller note payable. The amendment fee, which is due at the maturity of the seller note payable, is being amortized monthly over the remaining period of the seller note payable. In May 2023, the Company and Tampieri Financial Group agreed to extend the payment date of approximately $544,000 that was due on March 31, 2023 until October 31, 2023. In consideration of Tampieri Financial Group’s agreement to amend the payment schedule the Company agreed to pay interest of 6.3% per annum on this delayed portion only. The interest is due at the date of final payment.

 

Other than the interest related to the delayed payment on March 31, 2023, the seller note payable does not bear an interest rate. As a result, the fair value of the seller note payable was less than face value when issued in the LFT asset acquisition. The seller note payable is presented net of unamortized discount and the unamortized amendment fee.

 

   September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Seller note payable  $1,958,486   $1,976,050 
Less: unamortized discount        
Less: unamortized amendment fee   31,141    311,419 
Add: interest on delayed instalment   30,988     
Total  $1,958,333   $1,664,631 

 

The remaining balance was due on October 31, 2023. The Company is in negotiation regarding the settlement or extension of this seller note payable.

 

Global Commodities has provided a loan repayment guarantee to Tampieri Financial Group for the amount of the outstanding seller note payable.

 

F-18

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 9 — DEBT

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued Convertible Promissory Notes (“Notes”) the proceeds of which would be used to fund general corporate purposes. The Notes bear a simple interest rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum based on a 365-day year. The Notes have a one-year maturity. The Notes will automatically convert into common stock in the event of an IPO or upon the occurrence of another Qualified Financing or merger and acquisition transactions at a 20% discount to the IPO, another Qualified Financing offering or transaction price. There were $1,969,321 of convertible promissory notes outstanding as of both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Approximately $263,000 of the notes were with related parties of the Company.

 

In addition, the Company issued Promissory Notes (“Short Term Notes”) the proceeds of which would be used to fund general corporate purposes. The Notes bear a simple interest rate of sixteen percent (16%) per annum based on a 365-day year. The Notes have a four-month maturity, with an option of the Company to extend the maturity an additional four months. There were $688,925 and $586,425 of Short Term Notes outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, of which $113,925 and $41,425 were with related parties of the Company, respectively.

 

In February 2023, the Company issued an additional $300,000 Promissory Note. The Promissory Note bears a simple interest rate of two and a half percent (2.5%) per month based on a 30-day month. The Promissory Note has an eighteen-month maturity. In connection with this loan, the Promissory Note holder received warrants to acquire 30,000 shares in the Company at $11.50 per share.

 

NOTE 10 — Commitments

 

In June 2021, we entered into a non-binding understanding with Louisiana State University (“LSU”) to provide for a mutually-beneficial research project in which LSU will provide training, research and academic support. We continue to work with LSU to finalize the terms of the training and development project under the collaborative agreement. The term of the agreement is expected to run through June 30, 2026. The total amount to be paid by the Company to LSU has not yet been determined. Either party may terminate the agreement on 30 days’ prior written notice.

 

On May 14, 2022, the Company signed an agreement with the Directorate General of Water and Forests (“DGEF”) of Niger who manages forest reserves for a total area of 624,568 hectares to be reforested and developed by the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, African Agriculture will provide all necessary funds to carry out the programmed activities. The Company further agreed to distribute 10 percent of the profit from the sale of carbon credits, when they occur, to the State of Niger and to the social and development program in the concerned municipalities. Furthermore, until the sale of carbon credits, African Agriculture will allocate an amount of approximately $80,000 to the DGEF. The agreement tenure is for 25 years duration, renewable after project assessment. After the start of the project, its duration may be extended for 20 years upon agreement between the parties. We have determined that this agreement does not meet the definition of a lease.

 

NOTE 11 — Contingent Liabilities

 

Various creditors and ex-employees in Senegal commenced some form of legal action for claims relating to the period prior to our acquisition of LFT. The Company has, as a result, several legal cases that are in various stages of resolution. The contingent liability includes various legal cases and other claims. The Company recorded a contingent liability representing, in the Company’s opinion, based on our outside counsel’s review, probable loss outcome for legal claims. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amount of the provision for the contingent liability, is $2,236,841 and $2,271,181, respectively. While there is a possibility that additional claims relating to pre-acquisition periods might arise such an amount is unknowable and hence cannot be estimated.

 

F-19

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 12 — EMPLOYEE AND NON-EMPLOYEE SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

 

In 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of the African Agriculture, Inc. 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan, as amended by the Board of Directors, permits the Company to grant up to 2,885,640 shares (at December 31, 2022) of the Company’s common stock.

 

The Plan provides for the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options, share appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, and restricted stock units to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants of the Company. Instruments granted under the Plan generally become exercisable ratably over the stated vesting terms in each award agreement following the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. All stock awards are exercisable only to the extent vested. The exercise price of incentive stock awards must be at least equal to 100% of the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors.

 

In addition, and as a separate award outside of the plan the Board approved an award of 2,700,000 RSUs to African Discovery Group, Inc., a corporation majority owned by the CEO of the Company.

 

A summary of stock award activity and related information is as follows:

 

   Number of   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Vesting
Term
   Grant Date 
   RSUs   (in years)   Fair Value 
Plan Awards:            
Employees:            
Nonvested at January 1, 2023   2,437,496    2.56   $24,374,960 
Awarded during the period            
Vested during the period            
Forfeited, canceled, or expired            
Nonvested – September 30, 2023   2,437,496    1.81   $24,374,960 
Non-employees:               
Nonvested at January 1, 2023   352,194    3.38   $3,521,940 
Awarded during the period            
Vested during the period            
Forfeited, canceled, or expired            
Nonvested – September 30, 2023   352,194    2.63   $3,521,940 
Awards outside of the Plan:               
Employees:               
Nonvested – at January 1, 2023   2,700,000    1.17   $27,000,000 
Awarded during the period            
Vested during the period            
Forfeited, canceled, or expired            
Nonvested – September 30, 2023   2,700,000    0.42   $27,000,000 

 

F-20

 

 

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 12 — EMPLOYEE AND NON-EMPLOYEE SHARE BASED COMPENSATION (cont.)

 

As all 2022 stock awards were granted contemporaneously with the Business Combination Agreement with VCXA, the Board of Directors determined the grant date fair value of the stock awards to be $10 per share, which is based on the per share merger consideration of the pending business combination. There were no new grants during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, there was approximately $25,360,000 of unamortized share-based compensation cost related to unvested stock awards. The unamortized share-based compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.4 years, and as the stock awards vest, the Company will record compensation and non-employee expense with the offset to additional paid-in capital.

 

In May 2023, the Board approved a resolution amending various RSU grants to extend the first vesting period of various RSU grants awarded in 2022 to January 2024. This change did not amend any subsequent vesting dates and hence the time to final vesting for the RSUs did not change.

 

The table below shows share-based compensation expense recognized in the statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30:

 

   2023   2022 
Share based compensation expense:        
Employee compensation  $23,470,956   $        — 
Professional fees   744,187     
Total  $24,215,143   $ 

 

NOTE 13 — Subsequent Events

 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company has evaluated all subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition of disclosure through __________, 2023, the date the consolidated unaudited financial statements were issued.

 

In October 2023, the Company borrowed from a related party, 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, an additional $144,655 covered under the existing Promissory Note. and concurrently amended the existing Promissory Note to provide that the Note can be drawn on up to $800,000 in the aggregate.

 

In November 2023, the Company increased the number of shares of its common stock reserved for issuance under its 2022 Incentive Plan from 2,881,727 to 9,500,000 and granted 6,699,719 restricted stock units to numerous individuals including the executive officers and directors.

 

In November 2022, the Company entered into certain Transaction Bonus and Release Agreements entitling a one-time transaction bonus of $700,000 upon consummation of the Business Combination with 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II. In November 2023, the Company amended these arrangements to provide that the bonuses contemplated by such Release Agreements will be recharacterized as retention bonuses payable no later than August 21, 2024, subject to each recipient’s continued service as of the payment date.

 

As discussed in Note 9, during the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued Convertible Promissory Notes with a one-year maturity. In November, the holders of these Notes and the Company desired to extend the Maturity Date to February 2024, to (i) allow for the conversion of certain of the Notes upon closing of the Business Combination with 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp or (ii) allow for prepayment of certain of the Notes upon closing of the transaction. In November, the Company issued approximately $333,000 Convertible Promissory Notes in settlement of various payables owing by the Company, and additionally issued approximately $66,600 in Convertible Promissory Notes.

 

In November 2023, the Company issued approximately $182,000 Short Term Notes, the proceeds of which would be used to fund general corporate purposes, and the Company raised $50,000 in a short-term bridge note. This note bears an interest rate of ten percent (10%) payable at the one-month maturity of the bridge note. This short-term bridge note was repaid in December.

 

In November 2023, in connection with the Business Combination Agreement with 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, the Company signed an amendment to this agreement such that 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II agreed to waive the covenant requiring the Company to deliver a duly executed Offtake Agreement at closing. In consideration for this amendment, the Company agreed to issue 3,000,000 shares of the combined company to remaining public and private holders of 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II shares at the closing of the merger agreement.

 

F-21

 

EXHIBIT 99.2

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this current report on Form 8-K dated December 12, 2023 (this “Form 8-K”) and the proxy statement/prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2023, Registration No. 333-269342 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”).

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 8-K and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Form 8-K and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, including those factors set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, our actual results could differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. Please also see the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 2.01 of this Form 8-K. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this “Management’s Discussion and Ana lysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” to “we”, “our”, “us” and “the Company” refer to the business and operations of African Agriculture, Inc. prior to the Business Combination and to African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (formerly known as 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II) following the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

Overview

 

Our wholly owned subsidiary, LFT, is developing a commercial farming business based in Northern Senegal initially focusing on the production and sale of alfalfa for cattle feed and nutrition purposes. We will sell alfalfa to owners and suppliers of cattle for feed and nutritional purposes. Over the next 2-3 years we expect to raise sufficient capital to enable the development of 25,000 hectares, or 62,000 acres, of land located at LFT. We further aim to expand the growing footprint within Senegal, Niger and potentially to other West African countries.

 

Our predecessor company acquired LFT during the first quarter of 2018. Since that time considerable effort has been expended on preparing the farm for commercial operations, including ensuring the integrity of the water channels and other water assets, conducting soil analysis and feasibility studies, and beginning to clear and prepare the farm pivots for commercial operations. As such, prior to 2022, there has been no commercial revenue and related contribution. The growing activity to that point has been on a small pilot scale with the resultant produce of rice and sweet potato largely being donated to the local communities. In addition, the intended strategy of the prior owners was to focus on farming a crop significantly different than alfalfa and as such various assets that had been acquired by the prior owners and taken over by our company were not suitable for farming of alfalfa.

 

During the third quarter of 2021, we began preparing the soil, land, pivots, irrigation and infrastructure to begin planting our pilot program. We began planting alfalfa in January 2022 across 305 hectares. Since our initial harvest in April 2022, we have experienced harvests on average of approximately two tons of alfalfa per hectare, including the initial cuts, and a 15% to 24% protein yield. Initial cuts are typically lower yield in an alfalfa system due to the establishment of the root systems, and therefore the result of our initial planting is in line with global averages and our expectations. After the initial period of root establishment, it is our expectation, based on global historical experience and published scientific data, that the crop rotation cycle will occur approximately every four to six weeks, allowing up to ten turns during an annual period. From a seasonality perspective, it is our expectation that after the initial crops have been planted, other than potentially during a short rainy season, little seasonality should impact the rotation. Based on the yield and protein outcome results of the pilot, we expect to expand the pilot program to further test input and conditions to maximize yield before we begin the program of incremental planting expansion that we anticipate will grow to 10,000 hectares within 12-18 months and ultimately to occupy as much of the 25,000 hectares as is practical. At 10,000 hectares, we would expect our annualized run-rate yield to be approximately 250,000 tons. Our initial expectations are that we will yield approximately 25 tons of alfalfa per hectare per year, based on 10 cuts per year and 2.5 tons per cut. Warmer climate experiences in geographies such as California, and colder climates such as Romania and Canada, give credence to these historical yield expectations. While the results of our pilot program enhanced our confidence in our potential alfalfa crop yields, there is no guarantee that our production estimates will be sustained in a larger commercial practice. Further, any expansion of our operations beyond our 305 hectare pilot program will be dependent on the amount of proceeds received by AFRAG in the Business Combination, our ability to generate future revenue from operations and sourcing additional outside investment into AFRAG, none of which are guaranteed.

 

 

 

 

For our initial production, we took the added step of complementing our deeply experienced team with the services of FGM International, a leader in agricultural project implementation, particularly in Africa. In addition, we engaged ICS, a leading agronomist specialist in crops, soil, water, agricultural machinery and more. ICS has been a successful supplier of efficient machines and high-quality seeds to farms in the Middle East and Africa for approximately 30 years. We have an invoiced relationship with ICS for equipment provided and services rendered. Through September 30, 2023, we have paid ICS $834,934. We also have an invoiced relationship with Valley Irrigation, a worldwide leader in precision irrigation for the development of our pivots. Through September 30, 2023, we have paid Valley Irrigation $674,000 for equipment. We also have an agreement with Dr. Daniel Putnam, a global expert on forage quality and water use efficiency under irrigation and on mitigation strategies for sub-optimal conditions, who has significant expertise in alfalfa production, to consult to the Company and bring worldwide best practices to Senegal.

 

We targeted alfalfa as a strategic crop. Alfalfa delivers high protein content as a cattle feed, which can deliver meaningful weight gain for cattle. The demand for global consumption of protein is expected to grow at 6.8% per year over the next 10 years and the United Nations projected that global agricultural output will need to grow by 70% to meet the growing population by 2050. West Africa is home to as many as 100 million head of cattle offering a vibrant domestic market for our product. In addition, the Gulf region is currently hamstrung by legislation preventing the growth of forage crops, its scarce water and limited arable land, and hence the region imports approximately 85 percent of total food consumed, according to the 2022 GCC Food Report.

 

The strength of the demand for our products is evidenced by the increasing spot prices in various domestic and international markets based on the weekly Hoyt report and the USDA Kansas City alfalfa weekly pricing reports, as well as considerable interest from a number of strong credit worthy potential customers seeking to enter into long-term offtake/supply agreements. While the prices for the offtake are attractive, they are often at a discount to the spot markets. We are contemplating if this is a favorable risk mitigation strategy to begin our entry into the market to the extent we are able to agree to a dedicated offtake with one or more of these potential counterparties. The production volume dedicated to these offtake agreements only represents a small portion of our potential capacity hence does not prohibit our ability to benefit from stronger local prices once we establish production and begin to ramp up capacity.

 

We are also committed to advancing the interests of the communities where we operate by providing long-term career opportunities to the local workforce, partnering with educational institutions, such as Louisiana State University (LSU) and Michigan State University (MSU), to create programs that mutually benefit students, researchers and our own operations and to lay the foundation for our ambition for our LFT operations to become the agricultural technology capital of West Africa. Our partnership with LSU will also be focused on studying and benefiting from research comparing U.S. and world leading crop yields, fertigation processes and other leading edge industry leading practices and research. We recently signed a letter of intent with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), to further develop the fields of soil science, agronomy, cattle nutrition, emissions, and animal genetics in Mauritania.

 

The Business Combination

 

On November 2, 2022, we entered into the Merger Agreement by and among the Company, Merger Sub and AFRAG.

 

Prior to the Closing of the Business Combination, the Company carried out the Domestication pursuant to which (i) the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation was changed from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware, (ii) the Company changed its name to “African Agriculture Holdings Inc”, (iii) each issued and outstanding Class A ordinary share of the Company was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Class A Common Stock, (iv) each issued and outstanding Class B ordinary share of the Company was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Class B Common Stock, and (v) each issued and outstanding whole warrant to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company became exercisable for Class A Common Stock beginning 30 days after the Closing at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.

 

2

 

 

Upon Closing of the Business Combination on December 6, 2023, Merger Sub merged with and into AFRAG, with AFRAG being the surviving company. On December 7, 2023, the shares of Common Stock began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “AAGR”. 

 

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Company agreed to pay to equity holders of AFRAG, as merger consideration, a number of shares of newly issued Common Stock, valued at $10.00 per share, equal to the product of the number of outstanding shares of common stock of AFRAG at the Closing, multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.

 

The “Exchange Ratio” was equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of (i) $450.0 million and (ii) the aggregate amount of principal and accrued interest underlying certain convertible promissory notes of AFRAG issued by AFRAG after the signing of the Merger Agreement that were converted into shares of Common Stock at the Closing, divided by (B) ten dollars ($10.00), divided by (C) the fully diluted common stock of AFRAG immediately prior to Closing.

 

In addition, in consideration of the Company waiving certain closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at Closing each share of Common Stock for which redemption was not requested (a “Former SPAC Share”) was granted a pro rata right to receive a portion of 3,000,000 additional shares of Common Stock, with (i) holders of Former SPAC Shares that were public holders receiving shares in the form of Common Stock that were assigned to a pool for the benefit of such holders by a former stockholder of AFRAG and (ii) holders of Former SPAC Shares that were not public holders receiving Common Stock in the form of newly issued shares on a private placement basis.

 

Factors Affecting Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

We expect to expend substantial resources as we:

 

complete the development of LFT to full capacity production covering the majority of the 62,000 acres available;

 

implement a world class technology driven scalable operation that will result in high yields, and low costs driven by scale, technology, unique access to water and AI driven processes that can be expanded to other locations;

 

enhance all aspects of our supply chain, distribution systems and logistics;

 

develop and operate an owned renewable power supply program with adequate generation capability to, at a minimum, provide LFT with a reliable continuous and cheap source of power to operate;

 

conduct further feasibility programs and develop the aquaculture program locally with a view for expansion across other coastal areas on the continent;

 

conduct feasibility programs and develop the reforestation carbon credit program locally with a view for expansion across suitable areas on the continent; and

 

incur additional general administration expenses, including increased finance, legal and accounting expenses, associated with being a public company and growing operations.

 

3

 

 

Business Combination and Public Company Costs

 

On June 24, 2021, the Company entered into a Contribution Agreement with Global Commodities & Investments, Ltd, (“Global Commodities”), the shareholders of Agro Industries Corp., a limited company organized under the law of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company (“Agro Industries”), pursuant to which all the shareholders of Agro Industries agreed to contribute their shares of Agro Industries to the Company in exchange for shares of the Company. Following the closing of the transactions contemplated in the Contribution Agreement, the shareholders of Agro Industries became the 100% shareholders of the Company and Agro Industries became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. LFT, remains a 100% owned subsidiary of Agro Industries. The Company was deemed the accounting predecessor and will be the successor registrant for SEC reporting purposes, meaning that Agro Industries’ financial statements for previous periods will be disclosed in our future periodic reports filed with the SEC.

 

While the legal acquirer in the Contribution Agreement is the Company, for financial accounting and reporting purposes the consolidated financial statements of the combined entity represent the consolidated financial statements of Agro Industries prior to the formation of the Company in May 2021 and the Contribution Agreement. For all results post the effectiveness of the Contribution Agreement the consolidated financial statements of the Company will reflect the consolidation of the Company and its subsidiaries in accordance with US GAAP. Accordingly, the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations of Agro Industries became the historical consolidated financial statements of the combined company, and the Company’s assets, liabilities and results of operations were consolidated with Agro Industries beginning on the effective date of the Contribution Agreement. Operations prior to the Contribution Agreement are presented as those of the Company and Agro Industries in future reports. There were negligible net assets of the Company prior to the Contribution Agreement, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded as part of the Contribution Agreement.

 

As the Business Combination has now closed, we are an SEC-registered and Nasdaq-listed company, which will require us to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. We expect to incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased audit and legal fees, media, market data, public and investor relations.

 

Our future results of consolidated operations and financial position may not be comparable to historical results as a result of the expanded business operations of the Company.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

 

Accounting policies are an integral part of our financial statements. A thorough understanding of these accounting policies is essential when reviewing our reported results of operations and our financial position. Management believes that the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below involve the most difficult management judgments, due to the sensitivity of the methods and assumptions used. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setting bodies that we adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued accounting standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations under adoption.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amount of assets, liabilities and provisions, income and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these financial statements. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, the selection of the useful lives of fixed assets, allowance for doubtful debt associated with accounts receivable, fair values, revenue recognition, and taxes. Management believes that the most material areas involving the use of estimates are the determination of the intangible asset relating to the land use right provided by the Senegal Presidential Decree, the most likely outcome of the claims incorporated in the contingent liability, the imputed interest rate related to the related party payable and the discount rates used for leases.

 

Intangible Asset — The intangible asset consists of a land use right of 20,000 hectares provided by way of a Senegal Presidential decree. The value of the intangible was established based on the allocation of the purchase price for LFT to the fair value of the assets, including this intangible asset, at the time of the acquisition of LFT by Agro Industries in 2018. Amortization of the intangible asset is calculated on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the decree, which at the time of the acquisition had 44 years of a 50-year term remaining. Refer to Note 6 and Note 7 of the consolidated audited financial statements for further discussion.

 

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Contingent Liability — The Company has created a contingent liability representing, in the Company’s opinion, based on our outside counsel’s review, probable loss outcome for legal claims. As of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the contingent liability provision is approximately $2.3 million. Refer to Note 14 in the audited consolidated financial statements of AFRAG for December 31, 2022 included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (the “Audited AFRAG Statements”) for further discussion.

 

Imputed interest in related party payable — As the related party payables have no stated interest rate, an imputed interest rate has been applied against such loan to represent an arms-length arrangement between the Company and the related party. Refer to Note 9 of the Audited AFRAG Statements and Note 7 in the unaudited financial statements of AFRAG for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included elsewhere in this Form 8-K (the “3Q AFRAG Statements”) for further discussion.

 

Interest rate in right-of-use lease assets and the associated lease liabilities — The present value of our lease liability and the right-of-use lease asset is determined using an incremental borrowing rate, which we estimate to be the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar lease term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

 

Management believes that the estimates utilized in preparing its consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Although these estimates are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

 

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setting bodies that we adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued accounting standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations under adoption.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars (“$”), which is the reporting currency of the Company. The functional currency of the Company is the United States dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries located in Senegal and Niger is the West African Franc (“CFA”). CFA is the official currency of eight countries in West Africa and is issued by the Central Bank of West African States. The CFA is pegged to the euro. For the entities whose functional currencies are the CFA, results of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the period, per the table below. Assets and liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate at the end of the period as per the table below, and equity is translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in determining other comprehensive loss. Transaction gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

1 CFA:$  Period
Average
   Period
End
 
December 31, 2022  $0.001604   $0.001628 
December 31, 2021  $0.001795   $0.001720 
Nine months ended September 30, 2023  $0.001651   $0.001614 
Nine months ended September 30, 2022  $0.001614   $0.001484 

 

Key Components of Statement of Operations

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Currently, we conduct business through one operating segment. Our activities to date were conducted in the United States and locally in Senegal at LFT. For more information about our basis of presentation, refer to Note 2 in the Audited AFRAG Statements.

 

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The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business, and does not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to its ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

 

The Audited AFRAG Statements include a summary of our significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with the discussion below.

 

Revenue

 

The Company began generating sales from its pilot program during the second quarter of 2022. The Company recognizes revenue for its products based upon purchase orders, contracts or other persuasive evidence of an arrangement with the customer that include fixed or determinable prices and that do not include right of return or other similar provisions or other post-delivery obligations. Revenue for products is recognized upon delivery, customer acceptance and when collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Cost of Sales

 

The costs for establishing the pivots including seeds, land preparation and various phytosanitary products that are applied prior to and in conjunction with the initial seeding, but which will not be reapplied during the growing and harvesting stages are allocated quarterly to the cost of production over the seed cycle, which we estimate will be three years. The remaining direct costs related to the growth and harvesting of alfalfa, including additional fertilizer and phytosanitary products, direct labor, power, water, crop maintenance costs, depreciation of machinery cost, among others are included in the cost of sales based on the number of bales harvested and sold in that period calculated using a first in first out methodology.

 

Results of Operations

 

Our operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are compared below:

 

   For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Increase/  
   2023   2022   (Decrease) 
Revenue  $1,451,236   $330,291    1,120,945 
Cost of goods sold   1,031,135    319,711    711,424 
Gross profit   420,101    10,580    409,521 
General and administrative expenses:               
Employee compensation   24,163,737    561,492    23,602,245 
Professional fees   3,760,393    2,896,365    864,028 
Equipment rental   19,329    77,826    (58,497)
Operating lease expense   165,079    302,027    (136,948)
Amortization   87,009    87,009    - 
Depreciation   177,194    196,349    (19,155)
Utilities and fuel   61,410    67,578    (6,168)
Travel and Entertainment   104,920    117,697    (12,777)
Program development and design   -    101,893    (101,893)
Other operating expenses   272,234    308,032    (35,798)
Total G&A expense   28,811,305    4,716,268    24,095,037 
Loss from operations   (28,391,204)   (4,705,688)   (23,685,516)
                
Other expenses/(Income):               
Foreign currency exchange gain   (17,563)   (297,886)   280,323 
Loss on sale of assets   -    21,281    (21,281)
Interest expense – related party   33,078    517,085    (484,007)
Interest expense – other   618,588    276,642    341,946 
Other income   (8,443)   -    (8,443)
Total other expense (income)   625,660    517,122    108,538 
Loss before provision for income tax   (29,016,864)   (5,222,810)   (23,794,054)
Provision for income tax            
Net loss  $(29,016,864)  $(5,222,810)  $(23,794,054)

 

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General and administrative expenses

 

Total general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased by $24.1 million or 510.9%, over the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The primary reason for the increase were higher employee compensation, and professional fees incurred in connection with the pilot program and expanding commercial operations in earnest. These higher costs reflect approximately $24 million of share-based compensation relating to the amortization of the RSU awards made by the Company in November 2022, as described in detail in Note 12 of the 3Q AFRAG Statements.

 

Other Income/Expense

 

Other expense increased by $108,538 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year period due to higher interest accrued on the short term debt issued during 2022, offset by a lower foreign exchange gain and significantly reduced related party interest compared to the prior period as a result of the conversion of the related party loan to equity that took place in November 2022.

 

Net Loss

 

Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased by $23.8 million, or 455.6%, compared to the prior year period. The principal reasons, as described above, relate to the recognition of the share-based compensation expense compared to the prior period that had no impact of these charges.

 

There was no income tax expense from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. Significant factors in the management of liquidity include funds generated by operations, the availability of credit facilities, levels of accounts receivable and accounts payable, and capital expenditures.

 

Since the acquisition by Agro Industries of LFT during the first quarter of 2018, we financed our operations primarily from loans from shareholders, sales of alfalfa production, and through the sale of non-usable equipment and inventory. During 2022 and 2023 the Company also raised capital from the issuance of short-term convertible debt and non-convertible debt.

 

During the second quarter of 2022 we began generating revenue from sales of alfalfa from our initial pilot program, which we commenced late in 2021.

 

We are seeking to implement our expansion plans, and for these we will require additional capital to expand production, over time, to as much of the full available capacity of LFT’s 25,000 hectares as is practical, to implement all the systems and processes for production, recording and reporting and to initiate wider scale marketing efforts.

 

Over time, it is our intention to acquire control of additional farmland in Senegal and elsewhere in Africa, as well as implement two additional growth programs, aquaculture and creating carbon offset credits. We believe that we will require significant additional capital to achieve these short and medium-term objectives. We have developed a detailed business plan for covering the period 2024 through 2025 that sets forth expected costs, expenses and sales under normal growing conditions and in the current business and regulatory climate and our assumptions regarding our broader strategic initiatives. We began commercial farming operations at LFT during 2022. While LFT was not cash flow positive for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 or for the year ended December 31, 2022, we have made considerable progress in developing the local market for selling alfalfa, generating considerable interest in our product locally, regionally and in various international markets, and we have gained considerable knowledge and confidence with respect to the farming yields and potential for expansion by being able to replicate and expand our existing footprint. The speed and scale of our expansion will depend on the amount of capital available following Closing of the Business Combination. We intend to allocate the net proceeds following the Business Combination to the development of the alfalfa growth at LFT and to fund various corporate expenses. In addition, the Company is entitled to receive up to $11,500,000 pursuant to that certain agreement for a Cash-Settled Equity Derivative Transaction (the “CSED”) entered into on November 29, 2023 with Vellar Opportunities Fund Master, Ltd. Any proceeds received from the CSED will also be used to fund the development of the alfalfa growth at LFT and various corporate expenses. We also intend to continue to raise both debt and equity capital to continue the build out of our operations as our business plan had anticipated. Any debt financing secured by us in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital-raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which might make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities. We might not be able to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to develop our farm as quickly as anticipated, or at all, and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited. To date, our majority stockholder funded the business through loans and may continue to loan money to us in the future, though the majority shareholder is under no obligation to do so. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

 

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During our first five years of operation we expect that our principal costs and expenses will include labor for agricultural processes, agricultural supplies (seeds, fertilizer and pesticides), farming and laboratory equipment, facilities construction, utilities and fuel costs, fees for technical consulting services and general administrative expenses, including rent, management salaries, implementation and maintenance of agricultural infrastructure and attestation, marketing and internal controls monitoring. In addition, we may incur rent, costs in connection with the acquisition of new leasehold interests in land. We expect that all net revenue generated from the sale of alfalfa will be reinvested into business for the foreseeable future.

 

At September 30, 2023 we had a working capital deficit of $7.0 million compared with a deficit of $4.2 million at December 31, 2022. Our working capital has decreased primarily due to an increase in payables and accrued expenses, offset by a small decrease in prepaid expenses and receivables. At September 30, 2023, we had $34,497 in cash. The net cash losses and expenses of the business during the nine months of 2023 have largely been funded by short term debt issued, short term payables and accruals and from related parties.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following table presents summary cash flow information for the periods indicated.

 

   For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2023   2022 
Net Cash Produced From/(Used)        
Operating Activities  $(1,096,794)  $(2,767,309)
Investing Activities   (13,563)   (159,244)
Financing Activities   1,131,500    2,986,076 
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes   3,296    (73,195)
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash  $24,439   $(13,672)

 

Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities

 

Cash flows used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, totaled approximately $1.1 million during which we incurred a net loss of $29.0 million. The net loss included the non-cash impacts of share-based compensation, depreciation, amortization, non-cash interest, and non-cash lease expenses. The cash flows for operating activities also reflected the decrease in working capital compared to the prior year period.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, total cash used in investing activities was $13,563 used for the acquisition of small equipment at the farm. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, cash used in investing activities was $159,244 for equipment acquired for use in the pilot program.

 

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the cash from financing activities reflects the proceeds from short debt that the Company raised during the that period and principal loan amounts received from various related parties. The related party payable with the majority shareholder is non-interest bearing and has no fixed repayment terms. The short-term debt includes debt with an 18-month duration and a 2.5% monthly coupon. Additional short-term debt issued bears a simple interest rate of 16% per annum and has a four-month maturity, with an option of the Company to extend the maturity an additional four months. In addition, the Company issued to a related party a Promissory Note bearing no interest. This Note was due to be repaid at Closing of the Business Combination and the Company intends to repay this Note using proceeds from the CSED. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the cash generated from financing activities reflected Convertible Promissory Notes issued during that period and loans from the majority shareholder. The convertible notes bear a simple interest rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum based on a 365-day year, and have a one-year maturity. Convertible notes with an aggregate principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest of approximately $1.92 million automatically converted into common stock of AFRAG immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination Agreement at a 20% discount to the transaction price per share. Approximately $459 thousand in principal amount plus accrued but unpaid interest of the convertible notes remain outstanding and the Company intends to repay this outstanding amount using proceeds from the CSED.

 

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had no off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

 

Our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are compared below:

 

   For the Year Ended
December 31,
   Increase/ 
   2022   2021   (Decrease) 
Revenue  $679,196   $   $679,196 
Gross profit   (105,155)       (105,155)
General and administrative expenses:               
Employee compensation   5,933,664    344,943    5,588,721 
Professional fees   18,059,427    2,146,057    15,913,370 
Equipment rental   89,875    95,207    (5,332)
Operating lease expense   346,436        346,436 
Amortization   116,012    116,012     
Depreciation   252,603    187,711    64,892 
Utilities and fuel   107,024    112,092    (5,068)
Travel and Entertainment   134,364    20,551    113,813 
Program development and design   101,893        101,893 
Other operating expenses   419,134    490,450    (71,316)
Total G&A expense   25,560,432    3,513,023    22,047,409 
Loss from operations   (25,665,587)   (3,513,023)   (22,152,564)
                
Other expenses/(Income):               
Foreign currency exchange gain   (170,530)   (397,895)   227,365 
Gain on sale of assets   (153,978)   (79,517)   (74,461)
Interest expense – related party   518,582    310,522    208,060 
Interest expense – other   436,186    183,360    252,826 
Other income   (42,350)   (45,351)   3,001 
Total other expense (income)   587,910    (28,881)   616,791 
Loss before provision for income tax   (26,253,497)   (3,484,142)   (22,769,355)
Taxation            
Net loss   (26,253,497)   (3,484,142)   (22,769,355)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests       75,750    (75,750)
Net loss attributable to controlling interests  $(26,253,497)  $(3,408,392)  $(22,845,105)

 

Revenue and gross margin

 

We began harvesting our initial crop in the second quarter of 2022. The majority of the production was sold to local buyers but we also sent various samples and promotions to prospect regional and international customers. We experienced a gross loss on our revenue for 2022 due to various factors including: sales of the first cut, which is typically low quality alfalfa at highly discounted prices, lower selling prices initially as we introduced the local market to the product, which proved to be a successful strategy to engage the local market; sales at low prices of rain damaged product, as well as the cost of promotional, sample and community provided product all of which had no associated revenue. Notwithstanding the negative gross margin during this initial year, we are encouraged by our results from this initial period with respect to yield, quality and the unit economics of our alfalfa and expect to achieve positive margins as we reach steady state with our initial pilot program.

 

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General and administrative expenses

 

Total general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $22.0 million over the year ended December 31, 2021 total of $3.5 million. Of this increase $19.1 million was share compensation expense. In 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of the African Agriculture, Inc. 2022 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan, as amended by the Board of Directors, permits the Company to grant up to 2,885,640 shares (at December 31, 2022) of the Company’s common stock as well as a separate award to African Discovery Group, Inc. of 2,700,000 RSUs. The Plan provides for the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options, share appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, and restricted stock units to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants of the Company. Instruments granted under the Plan generally become exercisable ratably over the stated vesting terms in each award agreement following the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. All stock awards are exercisable only to the extent vested. Approximately $5.3 million was the cost related to recognizing the fair value of restricted stock awards granted by the Company on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. In addition, we recognized an expense of approximately $13.7 million with respect to an additional grant of shares to Global Commodities & Investments Ltd, the Company’s majority shareholder, which was made during the year as a reward for services provided to the Company since its formation. In addition to these share compensation expenses, professional fees increased over 2021 as a result of expanding commercial operations in earnest, increased legal and audit expenses incurred preparing the Company for an initial public offering which has now transitioned to completing the Combination, expenditure on various program development and design primarily related to aquaculture programs and increased costs relating to operating lease expense increased in connection with expenses relating to the land use agreements in Niger and the impact of the adoption of ASC 842.

 

Other Income/Expense

 

Other expense increased by $616,791 in the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the prior year due to higher related party interest resulting from higher average related party loan balances, interest accrued on the convertible short term debt issued during 2022, lower exchange rate gains offset by higher gains on sale of non-usable equipment compared to the prior year.

 

Net Loss

 

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $22.8 million, or 670.3%, compared to the prior year. The principal reasons, as described in above relate to the share compensation expense, and the commencement of our commercial alfalfa business in 2022, including supplementing the management team and the preparation for the public existence of the Company and the allocation of resources to these various initiatives.

 

There was no income tax expense from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 or 2021.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At December 31, 2022 we had a working capital deficit of $4.2 million compared with $0.45 million at December 31, 2021. Our working capital has decreased primarily due to an increase in payables and accrued expenses and a small decrease in inventory, offset by an increase in prepaid expenses, reflecting the increase in expanding commercial farming operations and preparing for the Business Combination. At December 31, 2022, we had $10,058 in cash. The net cash losses and expenses of the business have largely been funded by shareholder loans from the majority shareholder and short term debt issued during 2022.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued Convertible Promissory Notes (“Notes”) the proceeds of which would be used to fund general corporate purposes. The Notes bear a simple interest rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum based on a 365-day year. Notes representing approximately $1.92 million in principal amount plus accrued interest automatically converted immediately prior to the Business Combination at a 20% discount to the transaction price. In addition, the Company issued Promissory Notes (“Short Term Notes”) the proceeds of which would be used to fund general corporate purposes. The Notes bear a simple interest rate of sixteen percent (16%) per annum based on a 365-day year. There were no Short-Term Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2021.

 

The Company entered into a Payoff, Waiver and Release Agreement in October 2022 with Global Commodities & Investments Ltd, the Company’s majority shareholder, whereby $16,130,522 of the related party payable was converted into equity.

 

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Cash Flows

 

The following table presents summary cash flow information for the periods indicated.

 

   For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
   2022   2021 
Net Cash Produced From/(Used)        
Operating Activities  $(2,700,347)  $(3,539,647)
Investing Activities   (163,912)   (874,986)
Financing Activities   2,948,779    4,145,634 
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes   (93,555)   199,605 
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash  $(9,035)  $(69,394)

 

Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities

 

Cash flows used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022, totaled approximately $2.7 million during which we incurred a net loss of $26.3 million. The net loss included the non-cash impacts of the share compensation expenses, depreciation, amortization, non-cash interest, and non-cash lease expenses. The cash flows for operating activities also reflected the decrease in working capital compared to the prior year period.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, total cash used in investing activities was $163,912. For the year ended December 31, 2021, cash used in investing activities was $874,986. The cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 reflected equipment acquired for use in the pilot program offset by the proceeds of sales of older equipment not useful in alfalfa production.

 

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the cash from financing activities of approximately $3.0 million reflects the principal loan amounts received from our majority shareholder as well as the proceeds from the short debt that the Company raised during 2022 offset by payments made for the repayment of the seller note. The related party payable is non-interest bearing and has no fixed repayment terms. The short term debt includes convertible debt with a 12% coupon. Approximately $1.92 million in principal amount plus accrued but unpaid interest converted into common stock of AFRAG immediately prior to the Business Combination, with Approximately $459 thousand of such debt remaining outstanding. The short-term debt bears a simple interest rate of 16% per annum and has a four-month maturity, with an option of the Company to extend the maturity an additional four months. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the cash generated from financing activities reflected loans from the majority shareholder offset by the amount paid on the seller note payable relating to the original LFT acquisition.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had no off balance sheet financing arrangements.

 

Contractual Commitments

 

Our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2023, consist primarily of the seller note payable relating to the original LFT acquisition, the agreement with the Fass Ngom community in Senegal that provides for the right to use 5,000 hectares, and an obligation to begin supporting the local municipalities with whom we have partnered for significant land in Niger in accordance with agreements signed in December 2021, and the agreement signed between the Company, the community of Gie Dynn and the Government of Mauritania that provides for the right to develop 2,033 hectares of land in Mauritania together with the obligation to invest up to $30 million into this project over the next 20 years. These contractual obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital needs.

 

11

 

 

The balance of the seller note payable was $1,958,486 as of September 30, 2023 and $1,976,050 as of December 31, 2022. In November 2022, Tampieri Financial Group agreed to a delayed payment of the balance of the seller note payable. The resultant amendment fee is being amortized monthly over the remaining period of the seller note payable. A portion of the payment was due on March 31, 2023. The parties subsequently agreed to delay this payment to be made concurrently with the balance of the amount due on October 31, 2023. Interest of 6.3% will be payable on the delayed portion only. Other than the interest related to the delayed payment on March 31, 2023, the seller note payable does not bear an interest rate. As a result, the fair value of the seller note payable was less than face value when issued in the LFT asset acquisition. The seller note payable is presented net of unamortized discount and the unamortized amendment fee as reflected in the table below.

 

   September 30,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Seller note payable  $1,958,486   $1,976,050 
Less: unamortized discount        
Less: unamortized amendment fee   31,141    311,419 
Add: interest on delayed instalment   30,988     
Total  $1,958,333   $1,664,631 

 

The remaining balance was due on October 31, 2023. The Company is in negotiation regarding the settlement or extension of this seller note payable.

 

Land use agreement, Niger and Mauritania land use agreements

 

As of September 30, 2023, future minimum rental payments under the operating leases are approximately as follows:

 

2023 (remaining)  $324,436 
2024   825,657 
2025   826,533 
2026   827,426 
2027   828,338 
Thereafter   17,490,989 
   $21,123,379 

 

The table above does not include any obligations related to the 20,000 hectares land use right obtained by way of a Senegal Presidential Decree. The Senegal Presidential Decree provides for the use by LFT of the land until 2062. There are no annual payments required in accordance with the Senegal Presidential Decree. This land use right was recognized as an intangible asset in connection with the asset purchase of LFT and is being amortized over the remaining term of the decree.

 

The table does however include obligations relating to the recent agreements signed with the mayor and local governments of Aderbissinat and Ingall, respectively, in Niger each under a 49-year term for the right to use and development 2.2 million hectares of their land. While there is no binding obligation under these agreements to plant a minimum number of hectares of trees, we agreed to pay approximately $86,000 per year under each agreement during the construction of the greenhouses and plantation. Once the sale of carbon credits commences the annual payment amount will increase to approximately $1.1 million. In addition, during the first year of the sale of carbon credits we are required to pay an additional $129,000 for each agreement for budgetary support to each region. As the timing of the sale of carbon credits is uncertain, we have reflected only the known and required, as of today, payments for the duration of these agreements.

 

The table also includes obligation reacting to the agreement signed between the Company, the community of Gie Dynn and the Government of Mauritania. This lease is for 20 years and covers 2,033 hectares of land. Of this land, 80%, or 1,626 hectares will be used by the Company for farming alfalfa with the balance being farmed, at the Company’s cost, at the direction of the community. The Company has agreed to invest up to $30 million into this project over the next 20 years. The annual cost of the 1,626 hectares will be $300 per hectare per annum, subject to an annual increase consistent with the household consumption index (a proxy for local inflation). In addition, the Company will pay 5% of annual net profits earned on the 1,626 hectares to the community subject to an annual minimum payment of approximately $122,000.

 

The Company maintains cash in banks in the United States as well as in Senegal. The aggregate cash balances shown on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were held at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as well as in various banks in Senegal and Niger. There is no insurance securing these deposits, other than FDIC insurance that governs all commercial banks in the United States. The Company has not experienced any losses in such deposits. There are no excess cash balances, beyond those required for short term operations, held in Senegal or Niger bank accounts.

 

12

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this current report on Form 8-K (“Form 8-K”) dated December 12, 2023 and the proxy statement/prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 30, 2023 (“Proxy Statement/Prospectus”).

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information presents the financial information of 10X II and AFRAG adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination and other transactions. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.”

 

The historical financial information of 10X II was derived from the unaudited financial statements of 10XII as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included in 10X II’s Form 10-Q filed on November 27, 2023 and the audited financial statements of 10X II as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The historical financial information of AFRAG was derived from the unaudited financial statements of AFRAG as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included elsewhere in this 8-K and the audited consolidated financial statements of AFRAG as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. This information should be read together with 10X II’s and AFRAG’s audited financial statements and related notes

 

The Business Combination is being accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, 10X II, who is the legal acquirer, is being treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes and AFRAG is being treated as the accounting acquirer. AFRAG is determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances under the redemption scenarios:

 

AFRAG’s existing stockholders have 59.6% of the voting interest of the Company;

 

AFRAG’s senior management comprise the senior management of the Company;

 

the directors nominated by AFRAG represent the majority of the board of directors of the Company;

 

AFRAG is the larger entity, in terms of substantive operations and employee base;

 

the executive officers of AFRAG became the initial executive officers of the Company; and

 

AFRAG’s operations comprise the ongoing operations ofthe Company.

 

Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of a capital transaction in which AFRAG issued stock for the net assets of 10X II. The net assets of 10X II were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination were those of AFRAG.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2023 assumes that the Business Combination occurred on September 30, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 give pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on January 1, 2022, the earliest date presented.

 

These unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are for informational purposes only. They do not purport to indicate the results that would have been obtained had the Business Combination actually been completed on the assumed dates or for the periods presented, or which may be realized in the future. The pro forma adjustments are based on the information currently available and the assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes. Actual results may differ materially from the assumptions within the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

 

 

 

General Description of the Business Combination Agreement

 

On November 2, 2022, 10X II entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “AA Merger Agreement”) with 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X II (the “AA Merger Sub”) and African Agriculture, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AFRAG”). Pursuant to the AA Merger Agreement, 10X II changed its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”). Following the Domestication, AA Merger Sub merged with and into AFRAG (the “Merger”), with AFRAG surviving the Merger as 10X II’s wholly-owned subsidiary. In connection with the Domestication, changed its name to “African Agriculture Holdings Inc.”. The Domestication, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the AA Merger Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the “Business Combination.” The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization.

 

Merger Consideration

 

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the AA Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock of AFRAG issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, was converted into the right to receive the number of shares of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable common stock of African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (“AFRAG PubCo Common Stock”) equal to the quotient of (i) the sum of (1) $450,000,000 and (2) the aggregate amount of any Company Pre-Closing Financing (as defined in the Merger Agreement), divided by (ii) ten dollars ($10.00), divided by (iii) the sum, without duplication, of the aggregate number of shares of AFRAG common stock that are (A) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, (B) issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock units of AFRAG (whether or not then vested or exercisable) that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (C) issuable upon conversion of any AFRAG convertible note issued prior to the date of the AA Merger Agreement and outstanding at the Effective Time.

 

In addition, in consideration of the Company waiving certain closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at Closing each share of Common Stock for which redemption was not requested (a “Former SPAC Share”) was granted a pro rata right to receive a portion of 3,000,000 additional shares of Common Stock, with (i) holders of Former SPAC Shares that were public holders receiving shares in the form of Common Stock that were assigned to a pool for the benefit of such holders by a former stockholder of AFRAG and (ii) holders of Former SPAC Shares that were not public holders receiving Common Stock in the form of newly issued shares on a private placement basis.

 

Pursuant to the AFRAG Sponsor Promissory Note (as defined in the Merger Agreement), AFRAG agreed, among other things, to reimburse Sponsor on a one for one basis for the Class B ordinary shares to be transferred by Sponsor in connection with the the 10X II special meetings of shareholders to approve the extension of its redemption deadline in the form of newly-issued shares of AFRAG PubCo Common Stock in connection with the Closing. In accordance with this agreement 1,233,167 shares of AFRAG PubCo Common Stock were issued to Sponsor.

 

Entry into Cash-Settled Equity Derivative Transaction

 

On November 29, 2023, 10X II and AFRAG entered into an agreement (the “CSED”) with Vellar Opportunities Fund Master, Ltd. (“Vellar” or “Seller”) for a Cash-Settled Equity Derivative Transaction. Capitalized terms that are not defined in this section (Entry into a Cash-Settled Equity Derivative Transaction) have the meaning given to those terms in the CSED.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the CSED, the Seller received shares of common stock of AFRAG from a former holder of AFRAG common stock (the “Share Transfer”). Upon the occurrence of the Business Combination, shares of common stock of AFRAG that were held by the Seller converted into 11,500,000 shares of common stock of the post-Business Combination Company (the “Pubco Shares”) in the aggregate (the “Recycled Shares”). Subject to certain conditions contained in the CSED, the Seller shall provide up to $11,500,000 (the “Additional Funds”) in funds in the aggregate to the Company in five tranches: (i) the first tranche of $5,750,000 will be funded two trading days following the transfer to the Seller’s brokerage account of the Pubco Shares issued as consideration pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (ii) the second tranche of $1,437,500 will be funded 30 days after the first tranche, (iii) the third tranche of $1,437,500 will be funded 30 days after the second tranche, (iv) the fourth tranche of $1,437,500 will be funded 30 days after the third tranche, and (v) the fifth tranche of $1,437,500 will be funded 30 days after the fourth tranche (collectively, the “Funding Election”). Pursuant to the terms of the CSED, the agreed on the Cash Settlement Payment Date that, except in certain specified situations, provided that the Pubco Shares received by the Seller have been registered under the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by 10X II or are freely tradable by the Seller without restriction, they will each pay to the Company a cash amount equal to (1) the sum of (x) the number of Recycled Shares less (y) the number of Pubco Shares with actual aggregate proceeds equal to the Additional Funds Seller provided pursuant to a Funding Election, and less (z) the number of Terminated Shares (as defined below) (the sum of (x), (y) and (z), the “Number of Shares”) as of the Valuation Date (as defined below), multiplied by the VWAP Price over the Valuation Period less (2) a cash amount equal to the product of (x)(a) 11,500,000 PubCo Shares (the “Maximum Number of Shares”) less (b) any Terminated Shares as of the Valuation Date, multiplied by (y) $2.00.

 

2

 

 

The “Valuation Date” for the Seller will occur upon the earliest of (a) the date that is 24 months after the Closing, (b) the date specified by the Seller upon the occurrence of (i) the volume-weighted average price of Pubco Shares trading below $2.00 per share for any 20 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day period or (ii) the Pubco Shares ceasing to be traded on a national exchange, (c) any date specified by the Seller at its sole discretion, and (d) the date specified by the Company in a written notice to be delivered to the Seller at the Company’s sole discretion (which Valuation Date shall not be earlier than the date of an occurrence of an Event of Default by Seller as provided for under the ISDA Form and that is the subject of the notice) for an Event of Default by the Seller (and such specification of a Valuation Date shall be the sole right of the Company upon the occurrence of an Event of Default by Seller in lieu of Section 6(a) of the ISDA Form); provided that, so long as the transfer to the Seller’s brokerage account of the Pubco Shares issued as consideration pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement has occurred, the Seller will not issue any notice contemplated in clauses (b) or (c) of this sentence until the earlier of (x) the delivery to the Company by the Seller of the first tranche of the Funding Election (as described above) and (y) in the event the transfer to the Seller’s brokerage account of the Pubco Shares issued as consideration pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement has not occurred, 10 calendar days following the closing of the Business Combination.

 

From time to time following the date of the Closing (any such date, an “OET Date”), the Seller may, in its sole discretion, terminate the CSED in whole or in part with respect to any number of Pubco Shares by giving notice (such notice, an “OET Notice”) of such termination with respect to the specified number of Recycled Shares included in an OET Notice (such quantity, the “Terminated Shares”). An amount equal to the product of (a) the number of Terminated Shares and (b) the Reset Price, which shall initially be $10, but may be reduced by a Dilutive Offering Reset (as defined below), in respect of such OET Date will be paid by Seller to the Company or its designee.

 

In the event the Valuation Date for the Seller is determined by clause (c) in the definition of “Valuation Date” above, at the Cash Settlement Date, the Seller will pay an amount in cash to the Company equal to the closing price of the PubCo Shares on the business day immediately preceding the Valuation Date, multiplied by the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date. In the event the Valuation Date for a Seller is determined by clause (d) in the definition of “Valuation Date” above, at the Cash Settlement Date, provided that the Pubco Shares received have been registered under the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by 10X II or are freely tradable by the Seller without restriction, the Seller will pay an amount in cash to the Company equal to the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date, multiplied by the VWAP Price over the Valuation Period.

 

To the extent the Company, following the closing of the Business Combination, sells, enters into any agreement to sell or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issues any common stock or any securities of it or any of its subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Pubco Shares at an effective price per Share less than the then existing Reset Price, then, subject to certain exceptions, the Reset Price shall be modified to equal such reduced price (a “Dilutive Offering Reset”).

 

3

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

         Pro Forma 
   AFRAG
(Historical)
   10X II
(Historical)
   Adjustments     Balance
Sheet
 
                   
Current assets:                  
Cash and cash equivalents  $34    17   $22,442  A  $5,282 
              (500) B     
              (1,986) C     
              (19,575) H     
              4,850  I     
Accounts receivable   37                37 
Other receivables   11                11 
Inventory   260                260 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   964    93    (795) E   262 
Total current assets   1,306    110    4,436      5,852 
                       
Non-current assets:                      
Cash settled equity derivative             51,350  I   51,350 
Long term inventory   110                110 
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account        22,442    (22,442) A   - 
Intangibles, net   4,457                4,457 
Operating lease right-of-use asset   6,642                6,642 
Deposits   12                12 
Property and equipment, net   2,043                2,043 
Total non-current assets   13,264    22,442    28,908      64,614 
TOTAL ASSETS   14,570    22,552    33,344      70,466 
                       
LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                      
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   8,083    11,990    (1,237) C   18,538 
              (298) J     
Operating lease - liabilities   16                16 
Other payables   176                176 
Short term convertible notes   1,969         (1,587) J   382 
Short term debt   989         (500) B   489 
Seller note payable   1,958                1,958 
Related party payables   626    1,625    (800) I   2,026 
              575  C     
Non redemptions agreements liabilities        401    (401) K   - 
Total current liabilities   13,817    14,016    (4,248)     23,585 
                       
Non-current liabilities:                      
Contingent liabilities   2,237                2,237 
Operating lease -liabilities   6,796                6,796 
Related party payables   211                211 
Forward purchase agreement liability        -           - 
Deferred underwriting fee payable        7,000           7,000 
Total non-current liabilities   9,244    7,000    -      16,244 
TOTAL LLIABILITIES   23,061    21,016    (4,248)     39,829 
                       
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                      
                       
Temporary equity:                      
Common stock subject to possible redemption        22,342    (22,342) D   - 
                       
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):                      
Class A common stock   4    -    1  F   6 
              1  I     
Class B common stock        1    (1) F   - 
Additional paid-in capital   61,116         22,342  D   101,265 
              (20,807) G     
              1,885  J     
              (19,575) H     
              (795) E     
              57,099  I     
                       
Accumulated deficit   (69,575)   (20,807)   20,807  G   (70,598)
              (100) I     
              (1,324) C     
              401  K     
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (36)               (36)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)   (8,491)   (20,806)   59,934      30,637 
TOTAL LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT   14,570    22,552    33,344      70,466 

 

4

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

        Pro Forma 
   AFRAG
(Historical)
   10X II
(Historical)
   Adjustments    Statement of
Operations
 
Revenues  $1,451   $-   $-    $1,451 
Cost of revenue   1,031    -    -     1,031 
Gross profit   420         -     420 
                      
Operating costs and expenses:                     
Selling, general and administrative expenses   28,110    3,161          31,271 
Administrative expenses - related party   -    180    (180) bb    
Operating lease expense   165               165 
Depreciation and amortization   264               264 
Other operating expenses   272               272 
Total operating costs and expenses   28,811    3,341    (180)    31,972 
Income (Loss) from operations   (28,391)   (3,341)   180     (31,552)
                      
Other income (expense):                     
Income from investments held in Trust Account        1,201    (1,201) aa  - 
Change in fair value of  forward purchase agreement        331    (331) cc  - 
Change in fair value of non redemption agreements liabilities        (478)           
Loss in connection with non redemption agreements        (130)           
Foreign currency exchange gain   18               18 
Gain on sale of assets   -               - 
Interest expense - related party   (33)        22  dd  (11)
Interest expense - other   (619)        239  ee  (380)
Other income (expense)   8               8 
Total other income (expense)   (626)   924    (1,271)    (365)
Net income (loss) before income tax provision   (29,017)   (2,417)   (1,091)    (31,917)
Income tax provision   -    -          - 
Net income (loss)   (29,017)   (2,417)   (1,091)    (31,917)

 

   AFRAG   10X II   Pro forma 
   (Historical)   (Historical)   Combined 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Common stock   39,141,705   -   57,966,829 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Common stock   (0.75)   -    (0.55)
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    4,481,227      
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    (0.23)     
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    6,161,172    - 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    (0.23)   - 

 

 

5

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

         Pro Forma 
   AFRAG
(Historical)
   10X II
(Historical)
   Adjustments    Statement of Operations 
Revenues  $679   $-   $-    $679 
Cost of revenue   784    -    -     784 
Gross profit   (105)        -     (105)
                      
Operating costs and expenses:                     
Selling, general and administrative expenses   24,427    10,273    5,485  cc  40,185 
Administrative expenses - related party   -    240    (240) bb    
Operating lease expense   346               346 
Depreciation and amortization   369               369 
Other operating expenses   419               419 
Total operating costs and expenses   25,561    10,513    5,245     41,319 
Income (Loss) from operations   (25,666)   (10,513)   (5,245)    (41,424)
                      
Other income (expense):                     
Change in fair value of derivative liability        (36)   -     (36)
Income from investments held in Trust Account        2,165    (2,165) aa  - 
Loss on Forward Purchase Agreement        (295)   295  dd  - 
Foreign currency exchange gain   171               171 
Gain on sale of assets   154               154 
Interest expense - related party   (519)        519  ee  - 
Interest expense - other   (436)        217  ff  (219)
Other income (expense)   43               43 
Total other income (expense)   (587)   1,834    (1,134)    113 
Net income (loss) before income tax provision   (26,253)   (8,679)   (6,379)    (41,311)
Income tax provision   -    -          - 
Net income (loss)   (26,253)   (8,679)   (6,379)    (41,311)

 

   AFRAG   10X II   Pro forma 
   (Historical)   (Historical)   Combined 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Common stock  39,141,705   -   57,966,829 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Common stock   (0.72)   -    (0.71)
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    18,677,398      
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    (0.34)     
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    6,666,667    - 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    (0.34)   - 

 

 

6

 

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

 

The Business Combination is being accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, 10X II, who is the legal acquirer, is being treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes and AFRAG is being treated as the accounting acquirer. This determination was primarily based on the following facts and circumstances:

 

AFRAG’s stockholders have 59.6% of the voting interest of the Company;

 

AFRAG’s senior management comprise the senior management of the Company;

 

the directors nominated by AFRAG represent the majority of the board of directors of the Company;

 

AFRAG is the larger entity, in terms of substantive operations and employee base;

 

the executive officers of AFRAG became the initial executive officers of the Company; and

 

AFRAG’s operations comprise the ongoing operations of the Company.

 

Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination is being treated as the equivalent of a reverse recapitalization transaction in which AFRAG issued stock for the net assets of 10X II. The net assets of 10X II are being stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination are those of AFRAG. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2023, assumes the Business Combination occurred on September 30, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022, present the pro forma effect of the Business Combination as if it had been completed on January 1, 2022, the beginning of the earliest period presented. These periods are presented on the basis of AFRAG as the accounting acquirer.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2023 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:

 

10X II’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2023, and the related notes thereto; and

 

AFRAG’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2023, and the related notes thereto.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:

 

10X II’s unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the related notes thereto; and

 

AFRAG’s unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the related notes thereto.

 

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.

 

7

 

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings or cost savings that may be associated with the Business Combination. The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination are based on certain available information as of the date of these unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and certain assumptions and methodologies that 10X II and AFRAG believed were reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in Note 2, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the difference may be material. 10X II and AFRAG believed that their assumptions and methodologies provided a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination based on information available to management at the time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations and financial position as of the Closing of the Business Combination, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the Company. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of each of 10X II and AFRAG.

 

Note 2 — Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and has been prepared for informational purposes only.

 

The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give pro forma effect to events that are directly attributable to the Business Combination. AFRAG and 10X II have not had any historical relationship prior to the AA Merger Agreement. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.

 

The pro forma combined provision for income taxes does not necessarily reflect the amounts that would have resulted had AFRAG PubCo filed consolidated income tax returns during the periods presented.

 

The pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are based upon the number of AFRAG PubCo’s shares outstanding, assuming the Business Combination had been completed on January 1, 2022, the beginning of the earliest period presented.

 

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2023

 

(A)Reflects the release of $22.4 million of cash currently held in the Trust Account.

 

(B)Reflects the repayment of $0.5 million of short-term AFRAG debt.

 

(C)Represents estimated direct and incremental transaction costs incurred by 10X II after the balance sheet date and paid in cash as well as costs incurred as of the balance sheet date and paid in cash.

 

(D)Reflects the reclassification of approximately $22.3 million of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption to permanent equity.

 

(E)Reflects the closing of deferred offering costs to equity.

 

(F)Represents the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares.

 

(G)Reflects the elimination of the historical accumulated deficit of 10X II.

 

(H)Reflects the redemption of 1.9 million shares ($19.6 million) prior to closing.

 

(I)Represents the recognition of the cash payment from the Cash-Settled Equity Derivative Transaction of $5.75 million, before reduction for up to $0.1 million of CSED counterparty legal fees and $0.8 million utilized to repay Sponsor loans, and the CSED Transaction asset, measured at fair value, with regard to 11.5 million shares. The CSED asset will be remeasured at fair value with changes in earnings in the future periods.

 

(J)Partial settlement of convertible debt in shares.

 

 (K) Reflects the elimination of the FPA Liability.

 

8

 

 

Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(aa)Represents the elimination of historical interest income earned on the Trust Account.

 

(bb)Represents the elimination of related party administrative expenses that will not continue after the completion of the Merger.

 

(cc)Represents the elimination of the FPA liability.

 

(dd)Reflects the elimination of interest expense for related party loans repaid at Closing of the Business Combination.

 

(ee)Reflects the elimination of interest expense for converted loans and other short-term debt repaid at Closing of the Business Combination.

 

Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 (in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

(aa)Represents the elimination of historical interest income earned on the Trust Account.

 

(bb)Represents the elimination of related party administrative expenses that will not continue after the completion of the Merger.

 

(cc)Represents the following post December 31, 2022 transaction costs:

 

10X transaction costs (legal, accounting and advisors)   4,485 
      
Fair value of shares issued to Yorkville for the commitment fee ($10.00 per share)   1,000 
      
Total post December 31, 2022 transaction costs   5,485 

 

(dd)Represents the elimination of the FPA liability.

 

(ee)Reflects the elimination of interest expense for related party loans repaid at Closing of the Business Combination.

 

(ff)Reflects the elimination of interest expense for converted loans and other short-term debt repaid at Closing of the Business Combination.

 

9

 

v3.23.3
Cover
Dec. 06, 2023
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date Dec. 06, 2023
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31
Entity File Number 001-40722
Entity Registrant Name African Agriculture Holdings Inc.
Entity Central Index Key 0001848898
Entity Tax Identification Number 98-1594494
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity Address, Address Line One 445 Park Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two Ninth Floor
Entity Address, City or Town New York
Entity Address, State or Province NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 10022
City Area Code 212
Local Phone Number 307-3154
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Entity Emerging Growth Company true
Elected Not To Use the Extended Transition Period false
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share  
Title of 12(b) Security Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol AAGR
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share  
Title of 12(b) Security Warrants, each exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share
Trading Symbol AAGRW
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ

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