Investment Solutions for Sustainable Food and Agriculture
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Investment Briefs
The dos and don’ts of blended finance in agrifood systems – advice to mobilize capital for impact via investment funds
23/03/2026
Blended finance – the use of public or philanthropic money to mobilize private investment for sustainable development – quickly gained traction as...
Annual Reviews
Making agrifood investments work for people and the planet
18/06/2025
The FAO Investment Centre’s latest Annual Review – out today – offers a snapshot of this work with its partners in 2024.
FAO’s Investment Centre celebrates 60 years of effective development partnerships
16/10/2024
Over its six decades, the Investment Centre has helped design more than 2,400 partner-financed projects in 157 countries, totalling over $257 billion...
Latest publications
Dos and don’ts of blended finance in agrifood systems: The case of investment funds
03/2026
This paper briefly reviews the definition of blended finance and the characteristics of blended funds in agrifood systems. It then focuses on lessons learned and finally makes recommendations to fund managers and concessional investors, that is, investors expecting a financial return below market rate.
Expanding Egyptian horticultural exports to European markets: Opportunities and investment priorities
03/2026
This new study, supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the FAO Investment Centre, shows that strategic investments in food safety and quality, sustainability, and supply chain infrastructure can unlock this opportunity. The study assesses Egypt's horticultural exports, pinpointing challenges and investment opportunities to enhance the sector's competitiveness, particularly for accessing European markets.
FAO Investment Centre 60 years young 1964–2024
12/2025
The 60-year journey of the FAO Investment Centre tells a remarkable story of technical excellence and trusted partnerships. It also reflects the vision and effort of those who laid its foundations, the dedication of those who worked hard to sustain the Centre over the years, and its ability to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing world.
Financing opportunities for cocoa processing in Côte d’Ivoire
11/2025
Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s leading producer and processor of cocoa beans. Its processing capacity now surpasses that of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which until recently had held the top position. The government is continuing to encourage investment in local cocoa bean processing, which could account for 70 to 80 percent of national production by 2030. This study examines the prospects for investment in primary cocoa processing and the financing needs this objective entails.
The European Union's Sustainable Cocoa Initiative and Programme
10/2025
The European Union’s Sustainable Cocoa Initiative, implemented by FAO Investment Centre together with partners (JRC, EFI, GIZ), helps governments to build a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable global cocoa value chain in support of the Global Gateway initiative. This effort brings together producing and consuming countries, as well as key stakeholders — including European consumers.
Investing in people for better agrifood jobs
10/2025
The FAO Investment Centre connects these dimensions by ensuring physical and financial investments are matched with investments in people. It integrates human capital and job creation into operations, aligning skills with market demand and connecting growth with inclusion. This work draws on FAO’s technical expertise and data, and the Centre’s investment experience in over 120 countries – aligned with FAO’s Four Betters.
Harnessing Sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean September 2025
10/2025
The European Union has prioritized sargassum within its Global Gateway Strategy for the Caribbean, supporting countries to turn this environmental challenge into an economic opportunity. In 2024, with FAO’s technical support under the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Intelligence (SASI/SASI+) initiative, the EU Delegation in Barbados, together with the Government of Grenada, launched a process to support development of a sustainable sargassum value chain.
Featured
Annual Reviews
FAO Investment Centre – Annual review 2024
06/2025
FAO, through its Investment Centre, collaborates with countries and a growing network of financing and knowledge partners to provide investment and...
Annual Reviews
FAO Investment Centre - 2024 at a glance
06/2025
FAO is intensifying its efforts with financing partners to crowd in public and private investment for a more food-secure, resilient and sustainable...