Meridia - Netherlands, Ghana, Indonesia, Côte d’Ivoire

Meridia is a SaaS (Software as a Service) provider that utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to facilitate land mapping and land rights documentation. Established in 2015 in the Netherlands, the company provides services to agribusinesses to map their commodity supply chains, making them more transparent while helping to eliminate environmental and social risks such as deforestation and forced or child labor. The company also supports land tenure security for smallholder farmers in developing countries. The CFC is providing working capital financing to bridge the long payment cycles between the signing of contracts and final payment following the delivery of services. Loan repayment is expected to be based on cash flows generated from Meridia’s service agreements with approximately 13 global food and beverage companies, including Unilever, Cargill, and Mondelez International, among others. 

To date, Meridia has mapped more than 100,000 land parcels, provided legal land documentation to over 10,000 farmers, and registered more than 50,000 shade trees in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Indonesia. Meridia employs approximately 160 people, including 65 full-time employees and 95 freelance contractors. 

Land mapping and certification activities were undertaken to contribute to increased smallholder incomes by 16% and yields by 20% by enabling greater investment, improved access to finance, and crop diversification. The project promotes gender inclusion through joint land titling and aims to increase female staff representation from 60% to 85% by 2028, while significantly expanding employment. It also enhances traceability and sustainable land management, supporting reduced deforestation and increased.

SDGs