The European Business Council for Africa

InfoPoint conference: Investing in Africa’s agriculture - The role of AATIF & blended finance

Monday 10 March 2025

11:00 - 12:30 

Brussels, Belgium

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of African economies, yet the sector faces persistent financing challenges. Smallholder fFarmers, agribusinesses, and financial institutions struggle to access suitable financial solutions capital at scale that are fit for purpose for the businesses, limiting productivity, value chain development, and food security.

Blended financeSector specific investment funds — strategically combining public and private investment — offers a powerful tool to unlock sustainable financing for agriculture along crowding in private sector capital if structured as blended finance instruments.

This InfoPoint session, which is co-organized with AATIF and the FAO Investment Center , will showcase AATIF’s impact through firsthand experiences from an agribusinesses and financial institution that have leveraged its support. It will detail how the interplay between investment capital and technical assistance can act catalytically to support the de-risking of investment opportunities, equip companies with tools and capacity needed to manage their growth as sustainable businesses. It will also provide key insights and lessons learned in designing and implementing EU blended finance instruments for agrifood systems.

AATIF will discuss risk-return dynamics and how public-backed junior funding and guarantees catalyze commercial capital for agriculture, presenting two case studies of investee companies. The FAO Investment Centre will share key lessons learned from designing and implementing blended finance vehicles, highlighting as well key trends, challenges, and opportunities for scaling sustainable agricultural investment.

Key Discussions & Speakers

  • European Commission & Global Gateway: A representative from DG INTPA will frame the discussion within the Global Gateway initiative, reinforcing the European Commission’s commitment to sustainable investment in agriculture.
  • AATIF Fund Manager: The Fund Manager will presentDirectors of AATIF along its collaboration partners and will discuss how public-backed junior funding and guarantees mitigate risk, enhance returns, and create the conditions for commercial investment in agriculture.
  • Agribusiness & Financial Institution Perspectives: Two AATIF investees—one agribusiness and one financial institution—will share firsthand insights on why they sought blended finance solutions, how AATIF’s support contributed to their expansion, and the impact on local economies.
  • FAO Investment Centre Insights: The FAO Investment Centre will present key lessons learned from supporting the European Commission in designing and implementing blended finance vehicles for agrifood systems over the last five years.

Key Themes

  • How Global Gateway strengthens agricultural value chains in Africa
  • The role of blended finance in mobilizing private investment for agriculture
  • Case studies from AATIF investees across different value chains
  • The importance of diversified investments beyond export cash crops

Speakers

  • Carla Montesi, Director INTPA F Green Deal and Digital Agenda 
  • Doris Köhn, Cygnum Capital, AATIF Fund Manager and Chairwoman AATIF
  • Michael Hoelter, Cygnum Capital, Investment Advisor to AATIF
  • Paula Whyte, CFC, Technical Assistance Facility Manager to AATIF
  • Nuno Santos, Deputy Director FAO Investment Center 
  • Moderated by Zoltan Agai, INTPA F3 Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Fisheries

Report here