British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, is partnering with FMO, BIO, DEG and PROPARCO, the Dutch, Belgian, German, and French Development Finance Institutions respectively to provide a long-term working capital facility of USD 155 million to ECOM Agroindustrial Corp (ECOM), a global leader in sustainable coffee, cocoa, and cotton sourcing and trading.
The facility aims to support ECOM’s operations and investments in supply chain markets, such as Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in Africa, by financing its long-term working capital needs. This will help enhance ECOM’s existing partnership with over 500,000 smallholder farmers, fostering sustainable and inclusive supply chains that create significant social and economic impact.
Through its dedicated Sustainability Management Services division, ECOM provides essential financing that encourages farmers to adopt sustainable practices such as replenishing older coffee tree stocks. They also focus on traceable, certified supplies of cocoa, coffee and cotton as well as provide capacity building and training programmes that improve farmer’s yields and incomes.
Kwabena Asante-Poku, Country Director for Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire at British International Investment said “We are pleased to support ECOM alongside our DFI partners. This funding will help strengthen sustainable agricultural value chains and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. By supporting businesses that bring in foreign exchange through agricultural exports, we aim to foster resilient and sustainable economic growth in Africa.”
Benjamin Rimaud, Group Environmental and Social Manager at ECOM commented: “We’re proud to join forces with the FMO and other European DFIs to drive sustainable growth and empower farming communities. Our deep roots in agricultural value chains and commitment to innovation align perfectly with our mission to enable inclusive development. Together, we can scale impact where it matters most.”
FMO is the Mandated Lead Arranger of this syndicated, seven-year facility.
Media contact:
Nia Tam | [email protected]
