Innovation and Knowledge for Investment (IK4I)
The Investment Centre provides a strong evidence-based voice on investment and finance solutions through its Innovation and Knowledge for Investment (IK4I) work.
By harnessing FAO’s technical expertise and leveraging partnerships with key financing and research institutions, the Centre fills critical knowledge gaps. It also shares the latest thinking and practical tools to support investment.
The growing body of investment knowledge products covers a wide range of topics – from scaling up agrifood investments for and by youth in Africa, to decarbonizing agrifood systems, among many others.
Latest stories
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Sustainability-linked loans and the transition to more sustainable agrifood systems
02/06/2026
Agrifood systems are under growing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, improve water stewardship and ensure more sustainable production practices. Financial institutions are increasingly expected to support this transition by integrating sustainability considerations into lending decisions.
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 one way to bridge the huge agrifood systems financing gap, which stands at hundreds of billions of USD. FAO’s new investment brief – “Dos and don'ts of blended finance in agrifood systems: the case of investment funds” – carried out in the context of its collaboration with the European Union, aims to help public and private investors make the best use of blended finance in agrifood systems.
Investing in fresh, safe and export-ready horticulture in Egypt
10/03/2026
Egypt’s horticulture exports have excellent potential for growth in European and other global markets, especially with strategic investments in food safety and quality, sustainability and supply chain infrastructure. These are some of the findings of a study conducted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the FAO Investment Centre, with support from the European Union through EBRD’s Trade and Competitiveness Programme.
New book traces the FAO Investment Centre’s evolution over its first 60 years
19/12/2025
For over six decades, the FAO Investment Centre has helped countries invest in agrifood systems to reduce hunger, poverty and malnutrition and advance sustainable development.
A new publication, “The FAO Investment Centre, 60 Years Young, 1964–2024”, traces the Centre’s evolution over its first 60 years.
Latest publications
Directions in Investment
Building resilience in urban food logistics systems
11/2024
This report explores the transformative impact of recent global disruptions on urban food logistics. Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic...
Directions in Investment
Towards a new generation of climate-efficient agrifood systems infrastructure: Conceptual framework and analytical review
11/2024
This report aims to shed light on the need for greater and smarter investments in AFS infrastructure, and how they can contribute to global economic,...
Supporting development finance institutions financing private agrifood investments
11/2024
The Investment Centre acts as a bridge between countries and financing partners to create the enabling conditions for greater public and private investment...
Annual Reviews
FAO Investment Centre - 2023 at a glance
07/2024
FAO, through its Investment Centre, works with partners to provide tailored, scalable investment and finance solutions to help countries achieve better,...
Annual Reviews
FAO Investment Centre - Annual Review 2023
07/2024
The world’s agrifood systems need to become greener, healthier, more inclusive and more resilient. Investment is critical to that transition. FAO, through...
Investment Toolkits
Understanding microfinance interest rates in agrifood
07/2024
Interest rates have been a contentious issue in microfinance for many years. While higher interest rates for microloans are often justified by the underlying...
Directions in Investment
Bioinputs: Investment opportunities in Latin America
05/2024
Available in Portuguese and Spanish. Bioinputs are a vital element in the agroecological transitions and represent the entry point of production systems...
Country Investment Highlights
Can smallholder farmers in Honduras and Guatemala export deforestation-free coffee to the European Union?
05/2024
The new EU Regulation for Deforestation-Free Imports (EUDR) stipulates that by 2025, certain commodities may only be imported to the European Union...
Investment Toolkits
Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments: Field guide
12/2023
The FAO Investment Centre has updated the Social Analysis guides to address the evolving and volatile rural transformation context, providing programme...
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Investment Toolkits
Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments: Manager's guide
12/2023
The FAO Investment Centre has updated the Social Analysis guides to address the evolving and volatile rural transformation context, providing programme...
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Investment Toolkits
Social analysis for inclusive agrifood investments: Practitioner's guide
12/2023
The FAO Investment Centre has updated the Social Analysis guides to address the evolving and volatile rural transformation context, providing programme...
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Country Investment Highlights
Climate-smart policies to enhance Egypt's agrifood system performance and sustainability
11/2023
Having tested climate smart agriculture (CSA) in four of Egypt’s most significant value chains – dairy, dates, maize and wheat – the authors demonstrate...