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In a move set to reshape Africa's agricultural sector, the United States and Norway have pledged $70 million to initiate a fund aimed at enhancing farming across the continent. This fund, announced by USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Norwegian Minister of International Development Beathe Tvinnereim, aims to support 500 small- and medium-sized agricultural businesses, 1.5 million smallholder farmers, and create nearly 60,000 private sector jobs.
The fund seeks to attract additional commercial financing by reducing investment risks. With an initial commitment of $35 million from both the USA and Norway, the fund aims to fill an estimated $100 billion gap in unmet demand for financing in Africa's agricultural sector. This presents a significant opportunity for private investors to be part of a transformative change.
The initiative comes at a time when hunger has worsened in several African regions due to armed conflict and extreme weather conditions linked to climate change. The fund aims to benefit nearly 7.5 million people and has the potential to transform Africa's subsistence agriculture sector into a commercially viable industry.
The fund is part of a broader effort to strengthen food value chains through innovative financing and better support for small- and medium-sized agricultural enterprises. These enterprises provide 95% of smallholder farmers with access to seeds, fertilizer, and more. However, they often struggle to access formal bank finance. The initiative is backed by key figures like Secretary Yellen and African Development Bank President Adesina, and aims to make a real impact by transforming the agricultural sector from a subsistence-based system to a commercially sustainable industry.
For private investors, this fund offers a chance to be part of a solution that addresses a critical financing gap and promises substantial returns. It's a transformative opportunity for the agricultural sector in Africa, aiming to make it more sustainable and commercially viable.
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