The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is strengthening agribusiness value chains in West Africa through a €70 million loan to Valency International. The financing will support the procurement of key agro-commodities, including cashew, soya beans, cocoa and sesame, in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria for processing and export. The investment is designed to meet the company’s working capital needs while enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of agribusiness sectors in both countries.
The funding will also enable Valency International to scale up its operations and expand sourcing from local farmers, reinforcing agricultural supply chains and improving market access for producers. A significant share of the loan will increase utilisation of the company’s recently commissioned cashew processing facility in Côte d’Ivoire, underscoring its commitment to local value addition, job creation and stronger integration of smallholder suppliers into formal markets.
In parallel, Valency International will strengthen its corporate climate governance practices with support from dedicated technical cooperation activities, partly funded by the EBRD. This initiative will help the company integrate more robust climate risk management systems and sustainability standards across its operations, aligning with global reporting expectations and enhancing long-term resilience.
According to EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, the Bank’s first investments in the food and agribusiness sectors of Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria mark a significant milestone in its engagement in sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative aims to unlock the full potential of agriculture in both economies by expanding access to finance, reinforcing value chains and promoting climate-resilient practices that create jobs and foster inclusive growth. Valency International’s leadership highlighted that the partnership supports the company’s next phase of growth while embedding stronger climate governance and operational resilience.
Established in 2007, Valency International operates as a diversified and integrated agri-core company across emerging markets in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Since becoming EBRD shareholders and countries of operation in 2025, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria have been central to the Bank’s strategy to invest in sustainable infrastructure, modernise enterprises and strengthen economic governance to support private-sector-led development.
