CFC and Angola Advance Dialogue on Humanizing the Value Chains and Africa's Economic Transformation
New York, 23 July 2026 — Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), met with H.E. Mr. Francisco José da Cruz, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Angola to the United Nations, on the margins of the Financing for Development Forum in New York. Discussion joined by Dr. Mariangela Parra-Lancourt, Chief of the Strategic Engagement and Policy Integration Branch of the United Nations.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on strengthening sustainable commodity development in Africa, promoting inclusive economic transformation, and advancing practical partnerships that place people at the centre of global value chains.
Ambassador Belal highlighted Africa's growing importance in shaping the future of the global economy. Home to abundant natural resources, a rapidly growing population, and immense agricultural potential, the continent is uniquely positioned to become a global engine of sustainable growth and innovation. He emphasized that realizing this potential requires ensuring that greater value is created within producing countries and that the benefits of trade reach farmers, workers, and rural communities.
The Managing Director introduced the CFC's Humanizing the Value Chains initiative, which seeks to ensure that international trade delivers more equitable outcomes for those at the beginning of commodity value chains. He noted that while African countries produce many of the world's essential commodities, millions of smallholder farmers continue to receive only a fraction of the final market value.
He further noted that Africa has long been at the heart of the CFC's work. A significant share of the Fund's portfolio has been implemented across African countries, supporting projects that improve agricultural productivity, strengthen commodity value chains, facilitate access to markets, and expand financing for smallholder farmers and agri-SMEs.
"For decades, Africa has been central to the CFC's mission. Many of our most impactful projects have been implemented across the continent because we believe that investing in Africa means investing in global prosperity. Humanizing value chains begins by ensuring that the people who produce the world's commodities receive the dignity, opportunity, and fair return they deserve," Ambassador Belal added.
H.E. Mr. Francisco José da Cruz welcomed the CFC's continued commitment to supporting African development and emphasized the importance of strengthening productive capacity and regional value addition across the continent.
"Africa's development must be built on transforming its own resources into greater value for its people. Strengthening commodity value chains, supporting farmers and local enterprises, and investing in productive capacity are essential to creating jobs, reducing poverty, and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. Partnerships such as those fostered by the CFC have an important role to play in this transformation," Ambassador da Cruz said.
The discussion also explored opportunities for strengthening cooperation between African Member States, the United Nations system, and development finance institutions to mobilize greater support for commodity-dependent developing countries. Ambassador Belal emphasized that the implementation of the Sevilla Commitment, particularly its focus on value addition, productive capacity, and resilient commodity markets, presents an important opportunity to accelerate Africa's economic transformation.
Both sides underscored the importance of ensuring that development finance reaches the "missing middle"—agricultural SMEs and producer organizations that play a critical role in connecting smallholder farmers to regional and international markets but often face significant financing constraints.
Concluding the meeting, Ambassador Belal reaffirmed the CFC's commitment to working closely with African partners to promote sustainable commodity development and inclusive growth.
"The story of Africa's future should not be written through opportunity, innovation, and value creation. The CFC remains committed to working alongside African countries to ensure that commodity wealth translates into better livelihoods, stronger communities, and lasting economic transformation," Ambassador Belal concluded.
The Common Fund for Commodities looks forward to deepening its partnership with Angola and other African countries in advancing human-centred global value chains, strengthening rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable economic development across the continent.
About the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
The CFC is a UN-affiliated international financial institution based in Amsterdam, working in over 100 countries to support inclusive economic development through impact investing in commodity value chains.
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Email: managing.director@common-fund.org