Robust International, a global trader of sesame and cashew nuts headquartered in Singapore, is expanding its presence in Africa with three new processing plants now operational in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique. The company is shifting from traditional trading to a fully integrated supply chain model, aiming to bring more value creation to the regions where it sources its products.
To support this transition, Impact Fund Denmark and Austria’s OeEB each committed USD 25 million to a syndicated working capital facility initially arranged by FMO, the Dutch Development Finance Institution. Additional contributions from FMO (USD 15 million) and BII (USD 5 million) have increased the facility from USD 105 million to USD 175 million.
The funding allows Robust International to purchase sesame and cashew directly from local cooperatives and farmers, ensuring processing occurs locally rather than overseas. This approach strengthens agricultural value chains, supports approximately 600,000 smallholder farmers, and creates 1,100 jobs at the new processing plants.
Impact Fund Denmark emphasized that the investment aligns with its mission to build inclusive economies in Africa by enabling local sourcing, creating jobs, strengthening value chains, and unlocking export potential. By processing products locally, more economic value remains on the continent, and exports can increasingly reach Western markets directly.
Hans Boogaard, Director of Agribusiness, Food, and Forestry at FMO, highlighted that this third investment in Robust demonstrates the impact of collaboration between development finance institutions and other impact investors. The new plants and the working capital facility not only stimulate local economies but also add value to agricultural products within Africa, reflecting a successful model of sustainable and inclusive growth.
