CFC Managing Director Meets GC Chair, Tanzania’s Ambassador Caroline Kitana Chipeta
The Hague, 26 October 2026 - The Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), H.E. Amb. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, met with H.E. Ambassador Caroline Kitana Chipeta, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Netherlands and Chair of the CFC Governing Council, to exchange views on preparations for the upcoming Council, scheduled for 16–17 November 2026 in The Hague, and discuss insights from the CFC’s recent field visits to Uganda and Cameroon
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss preparations for GC38, which brings together CFC Member States to deliberate on the Fund’s strategic priorities and work in supporting commodity-dependent developing countries. The exchange also underscored the importance of continued dialogue with Member States in advancing sustainable commodity-based development, expanding investment opportunities and strengthening the contribution of commodity sectors to local economies.
Amb. Belal briefed Ambassador Chipeta on his recent visits to Uganda and Cameroon, where he engaged with government ministries, public institutions, private-sector enterprises and other stakeholders. The visits focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen commodity value chains, improve market access, mobilise investment and enable local enterprises to capture a greater share of the value generated from agricultural production.
Uganda: Demonstrating the potential of investment in commodity-based enterprises
In Uganda, the CFC engaged with government representatives and visited enterprises working across agricultural value chains, including coffee and vanilla. The discussions highlighted the importance of connecting producers to markets, expanding processing capacity and supporting businesses that can generate economic opportunities for smallholder farmers.
One example is JKCC, a Ugandan coffee trader and processor supported by CFC financing. Its reported turnover grew from USD 130,000 in 2017 to USD 79.8 million in 2025, illustrating the potential for financing to help commodity-based businesses scale their operations and strengthen their position in agricultural value chains. The experience demonstrates how investment in local enterprises can support business growth while creating opportunities for farmers and other actors connected to the coffee sector.
The visit also included engagement with Enimiro, a Ugandan enterprise working with vanilla, coffee and dried fruits. Its activities illustrate the opportunities to connect agricultural production with processing, quality improvement and international market requirements, while supporting farmers and developing more commercially viable value chains.
Cameroon: Expanding opportunities for local value addition
In Cameroon, the CFC delegation met with government ministries, public institutions, business representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the development of commodity-based enterprises and the financing and technical assistance they need to grow. Discussions covered opportunities across agriculture and other commodity sectors, with attention to improving local processing, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and expanding access to CFC support.
The delegation also visited agricultural and processing activities, including a cassava-processing cooperative in Esse and cocoa-producing communities in Kobdombo. These engagements provided direct exposure to local production and processing activities and the opportunities to strengthen connections between producers, cooperatives, enterprises and markets.
The discussions also explored ways to improve awareness of CFC financing and technical assistance among Cameroonian institutions and businesses, helping potential applicants better understand the Fund’s support and identify opportunities for investment.
Advancing shared priorities through Member State engagement
As Chair of GC, Ambassador Chipeta’s engagement with the CFC Managing Director comes at an important stage in preparations for the upcoming Council. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the Fund’s work and priorities ahead of the gathering of Member States in The Hague on 16–17 November 2026, where discussions will help shape the CFC’s continued contribution to inclusive and sustainable commodity-based development.