AgDevCo in $7m Sierra Leone agribusiness deal
AgDevCo has made an investment in Planting Naturals, a producer of organic palm oil.
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AgDevCo has made a $7 million investment in Planting Naturals, a producer of organic palm oil in Sierra Leone. Planting Naturals operates a vertically integrated model, sourcing fruits from both its own plantations and a growing network of smallholder farmers, to produce organic crude palm oil and palm kernel oil for export.
AgDevCo’s investment will enable Planting Naturals to increase fruit production, increase mill capacity, and upgrade its logistics infrastructure. The investment is complemented by technical assistance to strengthen farmer support programmes, including digital and traceability.
“This investment reflects our commitment to building sustainable agriculture supply chains in Africa, linking smallholder farmers to local and international markets,” said Kweku Koranteng, AgDevCo’s regional director for West Africa. “Our patient, flexible capital supports rural communities to meet rising global demand for sustainable palm oil, with significant benefits in terms of jobs and inclusive economic growth.”
“We are delighted to welcome AgDevCo as a long-term partner in our mission to transform Sierra Leone’s palm oil sector,” said Jan Hein De Vroe, CEO of Planting Naturals. “This investment will allow us to scale our operations, strengthen our partnerships with thousands of smallholder farmers, and further position Sierra Leone as a source of certified, sustainable, and traceable organic palm oil. Together, we will demonstrate that palm oil can be produced in a way that delivers shared value – improving farmer incomes, empowering rural communities, and protecting the environment.”
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