FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank

It's been over 1,000 days since Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale invasion against Ukraine. What is life like for those working tirelessly to maintain Ukraine's agricultural production? ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eBpHtZBw   In our latest edition of our digital magazine Future-minded, we speak with FMO client Kischenzi Farms owner Kees Huizinga, an agricultural business in central Ukraine working hard to keep production up during the war. The farm has operated since 2001 and currently covers 15,000 hectares of land and has around 450 direct employees, with part of that expansion due to funding from partners like FMO. With its huge grain exports thanks to favorable agricultural conditions, #Ukraine is indubitably the breadbasket of Europe, but the Russian invasion has critically affected Ukraine's livelihood, putting domestic and global food supplies in a precarious position.   "It's crucial we keep going, we have a country depending on farmers for food," Kees says. "The best way we can help the war effort is to keep doing what we're doing: increasing turnover, employing people, paying taxes." At FMO, we're committed to standing behind our customers, particularly in unimaginably difficult times like this, which is why we've restructured Kischenzi’s outstanding loans to provide a longer tenor and lower interest rates, contributed to emergency grants for humanitarian aid, and continue to actively explore ways to better support Ukraine's private sector together with the European Commission and Dutch government as the war rages on.   Read the full interview in Future-minded here: https://lnkd.in/eBpHtZBw

How can we strengthen carbon credit integrity in Paraguay? A Mobilising Finance for Forests (MFF) panel last month looked into that very topic: https://lnkd.in/erEhKhnn In November, we organized a 2-day event on #sustainableforestry and the challenges and opportunities in Paraguay and Latin America, where MFF held a session which shed light on the voluntary #carboncredit market (VCM). Latin America is the 2nd-largest VCM provider worldwide: Paraguay has16 million hectares of forests and reforestation potential and the local government is keen to create a thriving carbon market. In the session, MFF covered many important topics, and highlighted the importance of increasing buyer's confidence to scale investments and minimize risk, as well as how to prevent unintended harm to local communities and Indigenous peoples. At FMO, we're committed to supporting projects and initiatives that produce high-integrity carbon credits and ensure that they follow the trends and requirements of large buyers in the VCM. For example, through MFF we're supporting the development of Treevive, a Forest Carbon Development Platform that provides (non-)financial support to accelerate the development of high-quality carbon assets in forestry projects, which will scale financing to protect and restore forests worldwide. For a full recap on the MFF carbon credit session, or to learn more about how MFF is catalyzing private sector investment into sustainable land use projects, click here: https://lnkd.in/erEhKhnn

We're supporting enhanced #foodsecurity, stronger agri value chains, and more economic opportunities in Nigeria and the African continent with Valency: https://lnkd.in/gipuwgqw Valency International Pte Ltd. is an integrated supply chain manager and commodity trader active across Africa and Asia, trading Africa-sourced commodities to Asian markets with 18 subsidiaries round the world. Through a Proparco-led transaction and together with DEG, we provided a USD 20 mln in financing to support Valency's expansion of agricultural and food processing operations in #Nigeria. This will allow Valency to invest in projects that enhance food security, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and contribute to community development. Some of the projects our financing will support include: 🌾 Expanding their cashew kernel factor 🌾 Setting up a supply chain complex to bolster food security 🌾 Expanding their #FMCG factory to develop new product lines 🌾 Setting up a multi seed crushing plant to scale value-added projects out of Nigeria We're pleased that to have worked closely with our fellow DFIs to partner with Valency in this transaction which clearly underscores the importance of agriculture across the African continent. We look forward to seeing the joint impact that'll be created through this investment! #DevelopmentFinance #ImpactInvesting

Together with KERNEL, we're bolstering Ukraine's agri sector through our first direct investment in #Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale war: https://lnkd.in/eWDkCPb8 The Ukraine #agricultural sector constitutes approximately 10% of Ukraine's GDP and employs one in six Ukrainian workers. Kernel is the largest grain exporter in Ukraine and also accounts for 9% of global sunflower oil exports. To support this vital sector, we've joined Kernel’s Pre-Export Facility with a USD 25 million participation, led by Rabobank and ING, and supported by another development finance institution, the Black Sea Trade & Development Bank (BSTDB). Our funding will be used to procure various seeds from local farmers for processing and exporting of oils and meals to global market. This double-first for FMO (our first direct Ukrainian investment since the full-scale Russian invasion, and first with Kernel) signifies a major milestone in our commitment to support Ukraine during these challenging times. We remain steadfastly committed to standing by our customers and look forward to a long-term partnership with Kernel.

What companies and projects does FMO invest in? We've just published our Monthly Transaction Overview so you can read more about which #projects we supported November 2024. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/d7Pib_BP #ImpactInvesting #PioneerDevelopScale #DevelopmentFinance

We’re supporting financial inclusion for SMEs in Côte d’Ivoire through an investment in NSIA Banque Cote d'Ivoire.   Small and medium sized enterprises are the engine of Côte d’Ivoire’s economy, accounting for 98% of all firms, as well as providing 23% of the country’s private-sector jobs and 20% for the country’s GDP. However, their access to finance is limited and significant potential remains unrealized. Through our first partnership with an Ivorian bank, NSIA will use the funding to expand its lending to SMEs and small corporates across Ivory Coast. The EUR 30 mln facility—part of a EUR 90 mln syndicated facility led by DEG and with Proparco—will also support NSIA’s becoming an E&S champion, a move which is much needed in a country facing certain E&S risks. NSIA has already been incorporating environmental and social standards within their lending activities, and we look forward to the impact they’ll achieve through this partnership. #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentFinance

What does successful collaboration between donor agencies and DFIs look like? The latest Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) publication sheds some light on this very question: https://lnkd.in/dr3TMAgc ARIA is a joint initiative we founded with British International Investment, which aims to address systemic barriers in African #frontiermarkets. This is part of our #marketcreation approach, which aims to make projects and businesses bankable and provide enough business opportunities for impact investors to invest in. Through in-depth research with 10 collaborative programs, this latest ARIA publication identifies key success factors and showcases the results that can be achieved through working more closely together. There are also targeted recommendations for enhancing collaboration in future, grouped into three categories: ➡️ Aligning on strategies and creating incentives for collaboration ➡️ Building capacity and awareness ➡️ Adopting compatible operational models and tools that meet the needs of businesses in frontier markets Access the key findings in the PDF below, or read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dr3TMAgc

We're expanding into the retail food sector in the Caucaus regions with our first #agribusiness investment in Azerbaijan through Veyseloglu Group of Companies. Araz Supermarket MMC is the main food retail business of #FMCG group Veyseloglu and operates a network of around 300 stores across #Azerbaijan, as well as other franchises. Araz’s innovative approach ensures higher sanitary standards, better cold storage, and reduced food waste, providing healthier options for tens of thousands of people. Our AZN 40 mln loan (~USD 23 mln equivalent) will support: ✅ The construction of a new logistics facility and expansion of the existing infrastructure to boost operational efficiency. ✅ The opening new Araz-branded stores, improving access to quality food and modern retail experiences in underserved areas. Additionally, this investment is expected to generate many new jobs, with a focus on promoting women’s workforce participation, while leading to better working conditions in more rural parts of the country. We're excited to expand into a new region and sub-sector within the Agribusiness niche and look forward to the joint impact we'll create with Veyseloglu Group of Companies.

We're supporting the continued growth of clean energy across Asia through an investment in BECIS - Energy as a Service. With a substantial portfolio across Asia, BECIS is a leading Energy as a Service provider for corporates, and believes decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization of energy are essential in the renewable energy transition. They offer a range of decarbonization solutions, including solar, bioenergy, and cooliing and heating services. Alongside other shareholders, including FMO, BECIS has raised UDS 53 mln in equity financing to support its continued growth in India and Southeast Asia. Ludger Middendorp, Private Equity Manager at FMO, said, "BECIS’s clean energy infrastructure for high-quality corporate clients, along with its contribution to job creation, aligns strongly with FMO’s mission to advance SDG 8 and SDG 13. By enabling its strategic markets to move closer to achieving #renewableenergy targets and transitioning from centralized to decentralized energy generation and utilization, BECIS is making a meaningful impact." #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentFinance

Considering a new career opportunity in the development finance space this weekend? Look no further! Here are some of our recent vacancies as we continue to expand the talent within our organization to maximize our impact. 📝 #ICT Business Analyst (Debt Team) 📝 ICT Application Manager (#Treasury) 📝 Investor Relations Administrator 📝 Business Development Associate For more information on these and other job openings, click here: https://lnkd.in/giGden3w #Hiring #Vacancies #JobOpenings #ImpactInvesting