UK and CFC Launch £5.4 Million Trust Fund to Boost Small Agri-SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa
Doha, 3 November 2025 – The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), in partnership with The United Kingdom, is proud to announce the establishment of a new £5.4 million CFC-FCDO Trust Fund aimed at supporting small and medium-sized agri-businesses (agri-SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The announcement was recently made by Minister Chris Elmore, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as he delivered the UK's statement at the First Leaders' Meeting of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty on the eve of the Second World Social Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar.
The CFC-FCDO Trust Fund is designed to target a critical segment of the agricultural market that struggles to access investment below $500,000 – a range often overlooked by impact investors. By providing “small-ticket” financing, the Fund will enable high-potential agri-SMEs to grow and reach the scale required to attract larger investments from the CFC’s ACT Fund or other financiers.
The UK is contributing £3 million to the Fund, including £2.4 million in capital investment and £0.6 million for technical assistance focused on achieving climate and nature-positive outcomes. The CFC will match the UK’s capital investment, bringing the total Fund value to £5.4 million.
Focusing on small-ticket investments, the Fund will prioritize investments that strengthen local food systems in historically underserved regions, while each investment will be paired with a robust Technical Assistance package. This support will focus on improving farmer livelihoods, promoting inclusive growth, enhancing climate resilience, and protecting and restoring nature. The initiative will also leverage the CFC’s expertise in regenerative agriculture, developed through the ACT Fund.
The CFC’s work is critical in supporting development and sustainability, and this new Fund is a welcome addition to its portfolio to support smallholder farmers and producers where it is most needed.
This initiative is a testament to the CFC’s ongoing commitment to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. By enabling small agribusinesses to grow, strengthen local food systems, and improve livelihoods, the Fund represents a meaningful step forward in creating opportunities where they are most needed. It is a development to watch and one that promises positive, lasting impact for farmers, communities, and the broader agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]