Finance In Common Summit 2025 Agri-PDB Platform Breakout Session

Sustainable Food Systems, Global Challenges: The Catalytic Role of National PDBs

From 26 to 28 February, the 5th Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) took place in Cape Town, South Africa, co-hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with the support of Agence Française de Développement (AFD).  Agri-PDB Platform organized three events.

The breakout session was chaired by IFAD President Dr. Alvaro Lario and moderated by Diana Kos, Senior Sustainability Strategy Officer at FMO. It took place on Friday, 28 February 2025, from 10h45 to 12h15 in ICC1 Hall 2.  To watch the recording, please click here to view it on our YouTube channel.

IFAD President Alvaro Lario emphasized the critical role of Public Development Banks (PDBs) in financing sustainable food systems and tackling global challenges. He highlighted the Agri-PDB Platform, now with 150 members, as a space for knowledge exchange and collaboration among national and regional PDBs, supporting initiatives in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He called for mobilizing additional funding to strengthen the platform’s impact and reaffirmed commitment to promoting agroecology and supporting PDBs in driving sustainable food systems globally.  Christopher Chijiutomi, Head of Africa Managing Director of BII, stressed the importance of strengthening supply chains through infrastructure investments like roads and storage. BII focuses on input supplies, trade financing, and blended finance, targeting the “missing middle” through high-risk SME investments. Adebayo Babalola, Director at the OPEC Fund for International Development, discussed OPEC’s 49-year development commitment and crisis response efforts, including a Food Security Action Plan. He emphasized collaboration with IFAD and investments in long-term sustainability, such as clean cooking stoves. His Excellency Mr. Brieuc Pont highlighted PDBs’ role in mobilizing funds for nutrition-sensitive projects and emphasized that investing in nutrition provides a high return on investment, contributing to GDP growth and workforce productivity. Adolfo Cires Alonso, Director at INTPA.E, stressed the importance of mobilizing funds for agriculture and the role of the Agri-PDB Platform in supporting this process. He discussed European Commission efforts to work with DFIs and mobilize private capital for agricultural projects. 

Enrique I. Florencio, Secretary-General, ADFIAP, emphasized the importance of equity financing and risk mitigation tools for agricultural investment. He called for greater collaboration among ADFIAP members and technical assistance on ESG scoring systems and weather forecasting. Themba Rikhotso, CEO of Land Bank South Africa, discussed the bank’s role in supporting smallholder farmers (SHFs) and transitioning them into commercial farming. He highlighted the use of blended finance, grants, and loans, along with sustainable energy solutions and agribusiness partnerships. Dr. Kao Thach, CEO of ARDB Cambodia, presented the bank’s green finance initiatives, including its endorsement by the Green Climate Fund. ARDB’s 10-year roadmap focuses on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and concessional funding for smallholder farmers. Ibrahim Adama Touré, Group Branch Director, BNDA Mali, discussed BNDA’s climate adaptation projects, including rice production, livestock management, and food storage. He emphasized support for women farmers and collaboration with IFAD and InGreenFin project. Sandra Martinsone, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Bond, stressed the importance of PDBs in improving food security and nutrition. Bond focuses on shortening food supply chains and supporting smallholder farmers in Africa.  

The event also featured a Q&A session, addressing key challenges such as access to nutritious food, translating investment into tangible outcomes, financing agroecology, supporting organic farming, and strengthening farmer-lender relationships. The discussion reinforced the need for concessional loans and blended finance solutions. Diana Kos, the moderator, concluded by emphasizing the critical role of Public Development Banks (PDBs) in promoting sustainable food systems through innovative financing, technical assistance, and inclusive governance. The session reinforced the vital role of PDBs in financing sustainable food systems, supporting smallholder farmers, and driving innovation. Strengthening collaboration, increasing investment, and aligning with partner countries’ priorities will be key to maximizing impact and ensuring long-term food security.