CFC and Mali Explore Support for Vulnerable Commodity-Dependent Countries
Brussels, 22 October 2025 – As part of its ongoing engagement with member states in Brussels, the Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. El Hadji Alhouseini Traore, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to the European Union, the Benelux countries, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
During the meeting, Ambassador Belal presented an overview of the CFC’s ongoing initiatives, highlighting the Fund’s growing global reach and its tangible impact in improving livelihoods and building resilience across commodity-dependent developing countries. He stressed the need for collective action, emphasizing that eradicating poverty and achieving sustainability in commodity value chains require global solidarity and shared responsibility.
Ambassador Belal highlighted the persistent challenges faced by smallholders in the Global South, who, despite their critical role in producing essential commodities, often receive disproportionately low farmgate prices compared to final consumer prices. He introduced the CFC’s “Humanizing the Value Chain” initiative, aimed at ensuring fairer wealth distribution across the supply chain and prioritizing the well-being of producers.
Ambassador Traore expressed strong support for the initiative, noting Mali’s particular interest in fast-tracking projects for “Absolute Sixteen” countries, which face the dual challenges of economic vulnerability and geographic disadvantages. He requested more detailed information on the Absolute Sixteen designation and suggested that the CFC organize a dedicated webinar in French to help Malian stakeholders better understand the program and submit high-quality proposals.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of enhanced collaboration, including Mali’s support in disseminating information on the CFC’s call for proposals to local SMEs and enterprises. The meeting concluded with mutual assurances of support and a commitment to follow up on concrete actions in the coming weeks, reinforcing the shared goal of empowering smallholders and strengthening sustainable commodity value chains.
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