In The Spotlight

As financial advisor, Afreximbank’s Advisory and Capital Markets (ACMA) role will involve leveraging its network to mobilise the US$1.7bn capital needed for the project’s execution. (Image Source: Canva Pro)
As financial advisor, Afreximbank’s Advisory and Capital Markets (ACMA) role will involve leveraging its network to mobilise the US$1.7bn capital needed for the project’s execution
The project, a transformative coal-to-fertiliser facility to be built in Kriel, South Africa, aims to promote sustainable agriculture. Cutting-edge fertiliser technologies will be used, including air products gasification, with the expectation on enhancing food security within the region.
Supported by a consortium of leading energy and industrial companies, the project represents a significant investment in South Africa’s industrial agriculture future with the aim of reducing dependency on imported fertilisers.
Suiso was recently formed to focus on the manufacture of ammonia and fertiliser using a fossil-fuel gasification process. The intention is to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural market across Sub-Saharan Africa with more efficient fertiliser application rates and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

South-South co-operation can transform rural areas and empower rural communities. (Image source: IFAD/Ueslei Marcelino)
The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) played a prominent role at the II Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Fight Against Hunger and Rural Development conference, held in Brasilia this week
The Fund’s vice president, Gerardine Mukeshimana, emphasised that sharing practical, locally adapted, and sustainable solutions among countries with similar contexts, or South-South cooperation, is one of the most effective ways to transform rural areas and empower rural communities. It also presents an opportunity for multilateral development institutions to evolve and scale up solutions.
“Across Brazil and Africa, smallholder farmers are already innovating by improving their soils, adopting resilient crops, forming cooperatives, and building inclusive markets, but they cannot do it alone, their success hinges on collaborative support and resources,” said Mukeshimana at the event. The Fund also stressed the need to place family farming at the heart of rural development finance, aiming to thrive farms and promote prosperity in the Global South.
Mukeshimana also said that “multilateral development banks must shift from being just funders to system builders, working alongside governments, public development banks, the private sector, and rural communities to build an ecosystem of scalable investment opportunities.”
The Brazil-Africa Dialogue was created by the G20’s Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, and it provided an opportunity for more than 40 high-level delegations from African countries to share their knowledge and experiences with the aim to expedite the development of intervention models that improve the lives of rural communities.
IFAD focuses more than 60% of its investments in Africa and Latin America and had ample opportunity during the Brazil-Africa Dialogue to share its intervention models that complement existing national policies in several countries attending. IFAD also highlighted its strong portfolio in the Northeast of Brazil, which led to several South-South cooperation exchanges with African countries.

In partnership with Sistema.bio, Danone is equipping 6,500 smallholder dairy farmers with biodigesters to reduce methane emissions. (Image source: Sistema.bio)
Global leader in biodigestion technology, Sistema.bio recently announced its collaboration with leading food and beverage company, Danone during the 17th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM)
Through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Sistema.bio and Danone aim to support smallholder farmers by introducing biodigesters – a proven manure management solution to mitigate methane emissions, while providing access to renewable energy on-farm. The partnership aims to deploy 6,500 biodigesters by 2030 for smallholder dairy farmers across various geographies, starting with Mexico, Morocco and India.
These systems convert livestock waste into biogas and organic fertiliser, which can be used as valuable resources at farm level. Overall, this supports reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering production costs, and decreasing reliance on chemical fertilisers. The biodigester’s digestate can also be used as a natural organic fertiliser, which improves soil health and efficient water use, supporting agriculture to be more sustainable and resilient.
This partnership marks a major step toward decarbonising dairy farming by delivering locally adapted high-impact technological solutions, at the service of the farmers, ultimately empowering local communities to drive meaningful climate action. The project also aligns with Danone’s Impact Journey toward regenerative and resilient agriculture and ‘Hlib Bladi’ programme, which supports local milk sovereignty and promotes sustainable farming practices in Morocco.

The exhibition provided a platform for Pure Breed and Aviagen to engage in meaningful discussions. (Image source: Aviagen)
Pure Breed, Aviagen’s Ross Parent Stock (PS) distributor for Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States and Yemen, recently participated in the 4th Middle East Poultry Expo at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 14-16 April
The exhibition provided an excellent platform for Pure Breed and Aviagen to engage in meaningful discussions, share expertise, and strengthen relationships with both existing and potential customers.
Visitors to the stand had the opportunity to learn more about Pure Breed’s ongoing commitment to innovation, customer success and their support for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to be 90% self-sufficient in poultry production by 2030.
“The Middle East Poultry Expo (MEP) continues to expand in scale and impact each year. Saudi Arabia serves as an ideal host for the Expo, given its status as one of the largest poultry producers in the Middle East and Africa, and one of the largest global consumers of meat and poultry. The Expo provided an excellent platform to engage with our valued customers and to network with key stakeholders across the poultry sector. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and establish new connections, and we look forward to supporting the continued growth and success of MEP in the years ahead,” commented Moeen Alkhatib, chief executive officer, Pure Breed.
Bulent Tanyildizi, business manager, MENA, added, “The Aviagen MENA team, including myself and Murat Yakar, Regional Technical Manager, TMENA, was pleased to support Pure Breed during the Expo. We had the opportunity to engage with our local and regional customers and also Pure Breed’s direct customers within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Aviagen is proud to continue our strong collaboration with Pure Breed, delivering top-tier breeding stock that meets the highest health and biosecurity standards. We are committed to Breeding Success Together by ensuring the ongoing success and sustainability of our customers across the region.”

The collaboration marks a pivotal step in bridging science and policy to tackle interconnected health challenges worldwide. (Image source: ILRI)
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has designated the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as its first Collaborating Centre for One Health, marking a significant recognition of ILRI’s leadership in addressing complex issues at the convergence of animal, human, and environmental health
ILRI, a CGIAR centre co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, maintains headquarters in both Addis Ababa and Nairobi and operates 14 offices throughout Asia and Africa. The institute has a proven track record of applying the One Health approach to tackle pressing challenges in low- and middle-income countries, where the interconnection between animal, human, and environmental health is most pronounced.
Announcing the designation during WOAH’s 92nd General Session, ILRI director general Appolinaire Djikeng stated, “We are honored by WOAH’s designation of ILRI as a Collaborating Centre for One Health. This recognition reinforces our commitment to leveraging livestock research for healthy people, healthy animals and healthy ecosystems. Through our networks across Africa and Asia, ILRI will continue to work with partners to provide the One Health solutions that improve animal health management, drive innovations, mitigate emerging global threats and build sustainable resilience in food systems globally. In addition, ILRI seeks to strengthen the evidence base for addressing climate-related health challenges through the application of a One Health approach.”
With its new status, ILRI will drive research, capacity building, and policy engagement to support WOAH’s global One Health strategy. The centre will prioritise areas such as disease prevention, especially zoonotic and emerging diseases, using surveillance and early warning mechanisms. It will also focus on improving biosecurity and implementing value-chain interventions to lower disease risks, while contributing to epidemiological modelling, socio-economic analysis, and policy development. Climate-resilient strategies will also form a core component of its research agenda to address animal health vulnerabilities stemming from environmental changes.
WOAH director general Emmanuelle Soubeyran, stated, “ILRI’s interdisciplinary approach aligns with WOAH’s vision for One Health. Together, we can transform research into actionable policies and provide more evidence for WOAH international standards to safeguard animal health, trade and global food security. We look forward to working closely with ILRI to advance the One Health agenda and build stronger, more resilient animal health systems globally.”
This partnership represents a significant advancement in linking scientific research with policy to confront increasingly interconnected health challenges around the world.

US$10.12mn grant to boost resilient agriculture and livelihoods for rural communities in Zimbabwe. (Image source:
The board of directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a US$10.12mn grant from the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional lending arm, to enhance sustainable agriculture and build climate resilience in Zimbabwe’s drought-prone regions
The funding will support the Zimbabwe Agricultural Value Chain and Livelihoods Enhancement Project (AVCLEP), expected to directly benefit 7,000 livestock-keeping farmers and 42,000 smallholder and crop farmers.
The project aims to increase sustainable crop and livestock productivity, improve access to markets, and promote value chain integration for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the agricultural sector. It will be implemented across Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province—areas with high livestock populations that are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Zimbabwe continues to face challenges such as macroeconomic instability and the impacts of climate change, including floods, droughts, and storms, which disproportionately affect rural communities.
"This investment represents a critical intervention to build climate resilience and improve food security in Zimbabwe's most vulnerable agricultural communities," said Moono Mupotola, African Development Bank's deputy director general for Southern Africa and country manager for Zimbabwe. "By rehabilitating existing infrastructure and introducing climate-smart agricultural practices, the project will transform livelihoods in areas that have historically suffered from drought and limited access to water resources."
AVCLEP will focus on promoting climate-smart agricultural productivity and enhancing agricultural value chains. Planned initiatives include the rehabilitation of dip tanks, development of solar-powered boreholes, and strengthening of crop-livestock value chains. These measures aim to improve food and nutrition security and enhance climate resilience. Additionally, the project will support integrated land use planning, landscape restoration, and catchment management to improve water availability.
Further components include capacity building, social inclusion, and knowledge management—fostering technical training, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Strong project management mechanisms will ensure implementation aligns with the Bank’s procedures.
The project prioritises the inclusion of women (50%) and youth (20%), while an estimated 90,000 community members are expected to benefit indirectly from improved access to water, veterinary services, and livelihoods support.
Employment generation is also a major goal, with the project set to create 200 full-time and 2,800 seasonal jobs in the crop and livestock value chains. Average monthly household incomes in the target areas are projected to increase from US$85 to US$120.
Implementation is scheduled to begin in June 2025 and conclude by December 2029.
The African Development Bank continues to play a vital role in supporting Zimbabwe’s rural transformation, with this latest initiative contributing to efforts that have already helped to reduce food insecurity and poverty.
“This Project will enhance adaptive capacity, promote sustainable economic opportunities, and strengthen the resilience of rural communities to climate change within the target areas,” commented Martin Fregene, director of the African Development Bank’s Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department. “We look forward to working with all key stakeholders during the project implementation, to drive impactful solutions in the target areas which have been negatively affected by climate change.”
AVCLEP reflects the Zimbabwean government's dedication to boosting agricultural productivity and mitigating climate change impacts. By combining infrastructure rehabilitation with climate-smart practices, the initiative is expected to deliver measurable improvements in food security and household incomes.

Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. (Image source: Biobest)
The Entomatic automated dispenser stands as a game changer for spider mite control, ensuring precise and uniform Phytoseiulus distribution across crops
Phytoseiulus persimilis, a specialised predatory mite, feeds exclusively on spider mites and is an essential and well-established component of biocontrol programmes. Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. It has been widely adopted in high-tech protected vegetable crops, such as tomatoes, sweet peppers and cucumbers, as well as cut flowers and open-field strawberry production.
Beyond Phytoseiulus-System, Entomatic efficiently distributes other predatory mites, most beneficial insects, and Artemac supplementary predator feed in tomatoes. Its user-friendly, modular design allows for easy configuration across different glasshouse setups, whether mounted on existing carts, tractors, robotic sprayers, or custom driving platforms.
Sam Gui, market development manager for High Tech IPM at Biobest explained how Entomatic maximises effectiveness by smoothly and precisely releasing Phytoseiulus-System, at a controlled rate, over the head of the plants. “Aside from the increased precision, due to automatisation, Entomatic can significantly cut labour costs. Depending on the Entomatic model, we’ve seen labour costs for beneficial mite introduction cut by up to 90%.”