Publications
Understanding child labour in the Republic of Cameroon’s cocoa sector
11/2026
As part of efforts to strengthen the sustainability and legality of the cocoa sector, a vital segment of the domestic economy in Cameroon, FAO supported technically and methodologically the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MINTSS) – and the National Institute for Statistics (NIS) to carry out a study to assess the prevalence, characteristics and drivers of child labour in the sector.
Strengthening cocoa producer organizations in Cameroon in the framework of the European Union Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR)
11/2026
Strengthening cocoa producer organizations in Cameroon in the framework of the European Union Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) is critical. Well-structured and high-performing producer organizations are essential to support farmers in meeting these new sustainability standards and to ensure their continued access to international markets.
Cocoa production in the Republic of Cameroon: Mapping where cocoa grows and what it means for forests
11/2026
Reliable national maps on forests, land cover and cocoa production areas are essential to demonstrate that cocoa production is deforestation-free, in relation to the EUDR cut-off date of 31 December 2020. To address this challenge, the Cameroon Ministry of Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF) and the FAO Investment Centre under the EU Sustainable Cocoa Programme, led a technical working group of national stakeholders.
Bridging the living income gap for cocoa producers in the Republic of Cameroon: Insights and policy recommendations from a large-scale household survey
11/2026
Approximately 68 percent of cocoa-producing households earn less than the Living Income Benchmark, the income level required to secure nutritious food, adequate housing, education for children, access to healthcare services, and other basic needs. Despite recent price increases between 2022 and 2025 that suggest improved income prospects, farm-gate prices remain, on average, insufficient to ensure a decent standard of living.
Analyzing agrifood investment in Mauritania - Findings from a public expenditure review and policy analysis
10/2026
This brief produced with EU and FAO teams in Mauritania, was developed under the EU–FAO–Agrinatura Sustainable Agrifood Systems Intelligence (SASI) initiative. It reviews public expenditure on food and agriculture in Mauritania from 2009 to 2022, alongside analyses of rice, fisheries and livestock. It finds that spending has focused heavily on short-term food security, while fisheries and livestock remain underfunded relative to their economic importance.
Impact funds in agrifood systems - Lessons from investments in low- and middle-income countries
10/2026
This study addresses this knowledge gap through a comparative, data-driven analysis of 81 food and agriculture impact funds targeting in priority agrifood systems in low- and middle-income countries.
FAO Investment Centre – 2025 at a glance
09/2026
The FAO Investment Centre works with a growing network of partners to help countries invest in agrifood systems to reduce hunger, poverty and malnutrition and advance sustainable development. The Centre integrates the vast technical, analytical and policy expertise from across FAO into its 4+2 solutions, delivering tailored, multidisciplinary support to around 120 countries annually across five geographic service.
Agrifood Systems Public Expenditure Analysis - Methodology and classification framework
08/2026
This document presents the methodology for an Agrifood Systems Public Expenditure Analysis (ASPEA). The analysis helps policymakers, development partners and researchers generate evidence on how public resources support agrifood systems.
Financial and economic returns to investing in One Health: evidence and future directions
08/2026
This brief makes the case for investing in One Health—an integrated approach to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems. It outlines the institutional and financing mechanisms needed to scale cost-effective interventions from community to global level. It is part of the FAO Investment Centre’s Investment Brief series.
FAO Investment Centre – Annual Review 2025
06/2026
FAO, through its Investment Centre, works with a growing network of financing and knowledge partners to provide tailored and integrated investment and finance solutions that help countries achieve impact at scale. This Annual Review features a snapshot of the Centre’s work with its partners in 2025 and priorities for the coming years.
Soil health and fertilizer: Policy and investment prospects in sub-Saharan Africa
06/2026
This report by the FAO Investment Centre, in partnership with Agrinatura and the European Union, examines the structural, market and agronomic constraints to improving soil health and fertilizer use, and assesses the tools and options available to address them. It finds that raising yields will require increased mineral fertilizer use, complemented by proven agroecological and soil health management approaches.
Approaches to human capital investment: Lessons from experimental evidence
06/2026
This brief summarizes key findings from 44 experimental and quasi-experimental studies, assessing the impact of human capital interventions on farmer knowledge and productivity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Integrating sustainability-linked loans into agrifood finance: Opportunities and challenges
06/2026
This report summarizes the key findings and aims to inform development banks and other financial investors interested in issuing more and higher-quality SLLs to agrifood borrowers. Drawing on data collected in collaboration with the University of Florida, it combines the perspectives of commercial banks and agrifood companies to identify best practices that can be adapted to the specificities of developing economies.
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.