iGravity’s Post

Agribusinesses have the potential to transform the global food system by creating jobs, improving food quality, and supporting smallholder farmers. However, they often struggle to access funding, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where there’s a $74 billion finance gap.   That’s why we’re teaming up with FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank and the UK Government to help agribusinesses and small farmers get more funding and support.   Through our technical assistance facility BII Plus, we are expanding a program called CASA, which helps agribusinesses in developing countries get the finance they need. The program aims to make agribusinesses more successful and inclusive, benefiting both people and the planet.   BII and FMO will each invest $3 million in the expanded CASA Plus programme from 2024-2026, with plans to extend it further. CASA Plus will offer support to enhance existing investments, find new investment opportunities, and tackle barriers to investment in green and inclusive agribusinesses.   The first phase of CASA, managed by TechnoServe, has already helped 40 agribusinesses improve services for around 116,000 smallholder farmers, boosting their incomes and resilience to climate change.

🌟 Partner Spotlight: Mercy Corps AgriFin. 🌟 In our Year-in-Review magazine, we proudly featured Mercy Corps AgriFin, a leader in driving innovation to empower low-income populations, especially small-scale producers (SSPs) and micro-entrepreneurs. Mercy Corps AgriFin collaborates with public and private sector partners to design, test, and scale digitally enabled solutions aimed at: • Boosting productivity, income, and resilience by 50%, • Empowering women by expanding their economic opportunities, inclusion, and decision-making power. Their impactful approach focuses on gender-transformative, climate-smart solutions and fostering sustainable business models. Through strategic partnerships in Nigeria with organizations like AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited, CoAmana, Zowasel and ACRE Africa, AgriFin has delivered impactful services to over 600,000 small-scale producers, enhancing financial inclusion, access to inputs, markets, and climate resilience tools. “We believe innovation, collaboration, and inclusive solutions are key to transforming the livelihoods of small-scale producers and creating lasting impact.” 📥 Download our Year-in-Review Magazine for deeper insights into Mercy Corps AgriFin’s remarkable work and other stories of innovation transforming African agriculture. 👉https://lnkd.in/dQjpRpB9 Let’s collaborate to drive innovation and empower smallholder farmers across Africa. Reach out to explore partnership opportunities with us! 📧partnerships@letstalkagriculture.com #MercyCorpsAgriFin #SocialImpact #Partnerships #Farmers #YearinReview #Business #Communications #Media

Our ambition is to work with enterprising individuals in business, governments and civil society to transform food systems in ways that allow food producers and business owners to thrive, that are sustainable, and that improve the health and nutrition of people in the communities that we serve. But how do we mobilise investment to fuel this potential? Food processors and other agro-intermediaries are a centre of gravity in many strategic food valuechains with the ability to drive positive impact for both farmers and consumers. They are serving as a strategic entrypoint and channel for catalytic investment for our local #foodsystemstransformation strategy. By aligning specialised technical assistance with access to finance, the Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) program demonstrates the business case for global and national investments in climate-resilient agri-food systems that increase smallholder farmer incomes. CASA has increased investment in agribusinesses by showcasing the commercial and development potential of inclusive business models, with lasting impact. TechnoServe IFC - International Finance Corporation Melanie Machingawuta

Over 80 BILLION...a year! Jerry Parkes shared a stat showing how much capital the agricultural sector needs across the continent. An enlightening podcast episode titled "The Role of Private Capital in Unlocking Africa’s Agricultural Potential." with Jerry Parkes from Injaro Investments. Key Takeaways: 1. Catalyst for Growth and Innovation: Private investment serves as a catalyst for exponential growth and innovation in Africa's agricultural sector. It facilitates the introduction of advanced farming technologies and provides essential capital to small-scale farmers, thereby unlocking the sector's untapped potential. 2. Impact Beyond Agriculture: The influence of private capital extends beyond agriculture. It plays a crucial role in transforming lives, reducing poverty, and securing a sustainable future for millions. By igniting economic growth and promoting sustainability, private investment contributes significantly to the continent's overall development. 3. Holistic Development: The integration of private capital into agriculture is not solely about financial returns. It's about fostering holistic development that encompasses economic, social, and environmental dimensions, leading to a more resilient and prosperous Africa. #Agriculture #PrivateCapital #SustainableDevelopment #Africa #AfricaGrowthLLC https://lnkd.in/eRg9pfTz

As Africa stands at the crossroads of transformation, the role of governance, innovation, and technology cannot be understated. In my latest article with Sithembile Ndema Mwamakamba, we delve into the opportunities and challenges of transforming Africa's food systems to secure a sustainable and prosperous future. 🌱 Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network - FANRPAN is committed to empowering smallholder farmers, enhancing food security, and ensuring inclusive growth for women and youth across the continent. Together, we are building resilient, equitable, and climate-smart food systems. Key Insight: "Adopting modern agricultural technologies is key to transforming Africa’s food systems." 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dZ9vzphJ #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #foodsystems #AgriTech #Governance #AfricaDevelopment #InclusiveGrowth

Just released: Changing Lives, the flagship publication of the Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP). By harnessing the private sector as an engine of growth and development, IFC - International Finance Corporation and #GAFSP are supporting projects that boost agricultural productivity and expand access to inputs, technology, markets and finance—improving the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers living in the world’s poorest countries. Read more about #GAFSP’s outreach to women smallholders in #Bangladesh, its financial literacy training for macadamia nut producers in #Malawi, and how it’s helping smallholders switch to high-yield barley seed varieties in #Ethiopia. https://lnkd.in/e57hn5u7

Heifer International will be at #AFSIC2024, an investor event which promotes Africa’s leading businesses, trade and investment opportunities. As Africa enters a cycle of strong economic growth, we are contributing to discussions on the future of African agriculture, investment opportunities in agriculture and agri-tech, innovative financing and partnerships for sustainable development as part of our commitment to accelerating agriculture by focusing on scalable technology and innovative finance solutions that directly benefit smallholder farmers. These tools are crucial for addressing Africa’s $65 billion annual funding gap in agriculture, enabling farmers to improve productivity, access markets, and achieve financial independence. At AFSIC - Investing in Africa, we will engage with Africa's top investors, business leaders, and dealmakers to foster meaningful partnerships and explore investment pathways that can further empower smallholder farmers to drive the continent’s agricultural transformation. 📅 October 7-9, 2024 | 📍Westminster, London #HeiferAfrica #HeiferAtAFSIC #FoodSystems #Agritech #InnovativeFinance

As a cooperative bank with strong roots in the Food & Agri sector, Rabobank is dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainability in global food production. Through financing agricultural advancements, promoting sustainable practices, and partnering with clients committed to enhancing food security, we are striving towards a future where nutritious food is accessible to all. Rabo Foundation’s work focuses on empowering farmers by providing access to financial resources, markets, and networks. This support allows them to cultivate not only their crops but also brighter futures. Through impact financing and technical assistance, the Foundation helps local communities adopt sustainable farming practices, increase productivity, and improve livelihoods. The inspiring video below highlights the journey of three determined Kenyan women from Exotic EPZ Ltd. Their mission: to sustainably produce high-quality macadamia nuts for global markets while uplifting smallholder farmers and creating opportunities for women and youth in Kenya. Despite facing significant challenges, such as fair pricing, climate change, and gender inequality, their resilience and dedication have driven their success. Want to explore the full story? Check the link in the comments.

🌿 Did you know that 62% of Africa’s GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature? Natural capital constitutes 30%-50% of the wealth of most African nations, underpinning critical sectors like agriculture, fishing, forestry, and tourism—industries that collectively employ over 1.2 billion people worldwide. This underscores the urgent need for collaboration across all sectors to safeguard our natural capital. It begins with acknowledging and addressing nature-related risks and seizing opportunities for sustainable growth. Dorothy Maseke ,CFIRM will be speaking at the Banking Industry Sustainable Finance Summit. She will highlight how banks can take the lead in driving a nature-positive economy and explore how ANCA supports the banking sector in this essential journey. Hosborn Wamukoya, Kenya Bankers Association, IFC - International Finance Corporation, WWF-Kenya, GIZ Kenya