Global Affairs Canada has provided $7.3 million in funding to the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) to enhance sustainable agricultural productivity and smallholder farmer livelihoods in Africa. The funding will support the Mechanism in replicating its credit guarantee programs, enabling fertilizer importers and aggregators to access the product on credit, as well as improve soil health and provide technical assistance to farmers.
Dr. Beth Dunford, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank Group, expressed gratitude for the support from Global Affairs Canada, stating, “We thank Global Affairs Canada for its support to advance the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism's implementation of its Strategic Plan 2022-2028.”
The funding agreement, signed on 25 March 2024, earmarks CAD$10 million specifically for the Mechanism’s ‘Fostering Africa's agricultural productivity through fertilizer value chain financing’ (FOSTER) program, targeting 800,000 smallholder farmers, with 40% of beneficiaries expected to be women and 10% youth. This program aims to provide access to and improve the utilization of 80,000 tons of organic and inorganic fertilizer, which is expected to increase yields by 30%.
Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, highlighted Canada's commitment to promoting inclusive, green growth in partnership with the African Development Bank, stating, “Canada is proud to support resilient, climate-smart agriculture and adaptable food production systems in Africa.”
Marie Claire Kalihangabo, Coordinator of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, welcomed Global Affairs Canada as a new member and expressed readiness to collaborate with Canada to fulfill the Mechanism’s mandate effectively.
The FOSTER program also aims to facilitate the formulation of fertilizer policies and regulatory frameworks to foster gender-sensitive and sustainable soil management practices. This initiative aligns with various global agendas, including the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Malabo Declaration.
Canada’s funding announcement comes ahead of the African Union Commission’s Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit scheduled for May 7-9, 2024, in Nairobi. This initiative seeks to boost food security and sustainability in Africa through national Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts developed at the Dakar 2 Food Summit in January 2023.
The donation from Global Affairs Canada signifies a significant step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, across Africa.
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