CFC and South Africa Discuss Shared Priorities for Africa's Commodity Transformation and Inclusive Value Chains
The Hague, 16 July 2026 - H.E. Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Vusimuzi Madonsela, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in The Hague, for discussions on sustainable commodity development, agricultural transformation and inclusive value chains.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the challenges and opportunities facing commodity-dependent developing countries, with particular emphasis on strengthening agricultural value chains, promoting value addition and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Ambassador Belal highlighted the CFC's role as the world's only intergovernmental financial institution dedicated exclusively to commodities and commodity-dependent developing countries. He outlined the Fund's work in providing blended finance, technical assistance and innovative investment solutions that support smallholder farmers, cooperatives and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to increase productivity, improve market access and capture greater value from their commodities.
Recognizing Ambassador Madonsela's role as Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, the discussions also focused on Africa's growing importance in the global commodity economy. Ambassador Belal noted that Africa is not merely a continent rich in natural resources but a continent of the future—home to the world's youngest population, vast agricultural potential, abundant critical minerals and one of the fastest-growing consumer markets. He emphasized that the continent's greatest opportunity lies not in exporting raw commodities, but in transforming them into higher-value products, creating jobs, building competitive industries and generating greater prosperity for its people.
Ambassador Madonsela reflected on the importance of enabling countries and communities to move beyond simply “keeping their heads above water” and to pursue broader opportunities for growth, transformation and prosperity.
Ambassador Belal further highlighted that Africa remains at the heart of the CFC's mission. Through its investments and technical assistance, the CFC is working with governments, financial institutions and the private sector across the continent to accelerate commodity transformation, strengthen agricultural and mineral value chains, support SMEs, mobilize blended finance and unlock greater value addition at origin. He noted that these efforts are helping position Africa as a global leader in sustainable commodity development while creating more resilient livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
The exchange also reflected South Africa's diversified agricultural sector, sophisticated agro-processing industry and dynamic innovation ecosystem, while recognizing the continued importance of expanding employment opportunities, particularly for young people. Both sides noted that supporting competitive SMEs, innovation and value-added agribusiness can play a decisive role in fostering inclusive economic growth and strengthening Africa's commodity sectors.
Ambassador Belal also briefed Ambassador Madonsela on the CFC's Humanizing the Value Chains (HVC) initiative, which advocates a more equitable distribution of value along global commodity chains so that producers, workers, SMEs and local communities receive a fairer share of the wealth generated by the commodities they produce.
The meeting concluded with both Ambassadors expressing appreciation for the constructive exchange and reaffirming the importance of continued dialogue between South Africa and the CFC. They welcomed ongoing engagement to explore areas of mutual interest in advancing Africa's commodity transformation, promoting inclusive value chains, strengthening food security and creating sustainable livelihoods across the continent.