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AgDevCo expands its portfolio in Zambia with a new investment in the poultry sector

LONDON, Oct. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Specialist agriculture investor AgDevCo is pleased to announce its latest investment in Hybrid, an integrated poultry producer located in Zambia.

Hybrid is a leading company in Zambia’s poultry industry, operating a vertically integrated model that spans the entire value chain from breeder farms to processed poultry products. It is part of the African Poultry Development Group which has operations in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Hybrid has more than 1,200 employees and supplies over 2,000 farmers across the country with day–old chicks, contributing to the poultry sector’s development. The company sells processed poultry to major retailers and restaurants across Zambia.

AgDevCo’s investment, a USD10 million senior debt loan, will enable Hybrid to increase its processing capacity by building a modern abattoir which will create another 270 jobs and support the company’s growth.

Jim Henderson, Managing Director at AgDevCo, said:
“We are pleased to be partnering with Hybrid to make this major investment in the Zambian poultry industry. The expansion will drive local job creation and skills development while strengthening regional food security.”

Richard Keeley CEO of Hybrid, said:
“This state–of–the–art facility represents a significant milestone. It will be the largest of its kind in the region, allowing us to supply the Zambian market, where demand is growing rapidly, and export to Lubumbashi, the second–largest city in the DRC. Designed with sustainability at its core, the plant incorporates advanced energy–efficiency measures and wastewater treatment. We are delighted to welcome AgDevCo as a strategic investment partner to make this project a reality.”

AgDevCo is a specialist impact investor operating exclusively in the agriculture sector in Africa. Our mission is to build successful African agribusinesses through long–term investment and support to deliver positive impact at scale. We invest debt and equity in African agribusinesses to create jobs, improve food security, and boost prosperity. With $340 million assets under management, we have made over 88 investments to date (of which 51 exited). Our investments leverage private capital into socially responsible farming and agri–processing businesses in Africa, with benefits for smallholder farmers and local communities.

Contact for media enquiries: Jim Henderson, Managing Director; [email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001131030)

AgDevCo makes follow-on investment in EFAfrica Group

LONDON, Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Specialist agricultural investor AgDevCo is pleased to announce a $7.2 million follow–on investment into its longstanding portfolio company, EFAfrica Group Limited (EFAG).

EFAG is an equipment leasing company focused on small and medium–sized enterprises and farmers in Africa. The company serves over 1,500 lessee entrepreneurs across Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, many of whom lack the formality and collateral requirements sought by banks. Popular leases include trucks, tractors and other agricultural equipment, with a typical value of between $10,000 and $80,000.

AgDevCo’s latest investment, a structured long–term loan, allows EFAG to offer larger leases to agribusiness corporates and farming services providers. In Tanzania, EFAG is supporting Farming and Engineering Services (FES), a precision agriculture company founded in 1967. FES is involved in multiple projects across the country, including a greenfield development in the Kigoma region, where it provides land preparation, planting and harvesting services.

John Jakobsson, Investment Director at AgDevCo, “We are pleased to back EFAG’s continued growth as it expands its footprint and product offering, reaching thousands of entrepreneurs, supporting sustainable economic growth in rural areas, and contributing to regional food security.”

Nicomed Bohay, Chief Operating Officer of EFAfrica Group, “This partnership allows EFAG to deepen its role in supporting agricultural transformation through mechanisation in East and Southern Africa. By providing the right tools and financing solutions, we are empowering businesses that drive rural development and strengthen regional food security.”

Mike Aldworth, Chief Executive Officer of Farming and Engineering Services, “We are proud to be part of this important partnership which supports our expansion in East Africa. Since our founding in 1967, FES has grown to become a regional leader in precision agriculture and mechanised contracting services. We greatly appreciate the continued backing of EFAG and AgDevCo, who are helping us to unlock new opportunities to improve productivity and food security across the region.”

Trinity International (UK), Bowmans Mauritius and Kilundu Giattas & Partners (Tanzania) provided AgDevCo with legal and advisory support to the transaction.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (South Africa) provided EFAfrica Group with legal support for the transaction.

AgDevCo is a specialist impact investor operating exclusively in the agriculture sector in Africa. Our mission is to build successful African agribusinesses through long–term investment and support to deliver positive impact at scale. We invest debt and equity in African agribusinesses to create jobs, improve food security, and boost prosperity. With $340 million assets under management, we have made over 88 investments to date (of which 51 exited). Our investments leverage private capital into socially–responsible farming and agri–processing businesses in Africa, with benefits for smallholder farmers and local communities.

EFAfrica Group is a pan–African equipment leasing company, headquartered in Ebene, Mauritius, with operations in Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. Its mission is to bridge the financing gap in agricultural mechanisation and related sectors by offering flexible, tailored lease solutions to SMEs and large agribusinesses. www.efafrica.group.

Farming and Engineering Services (FES), headquartered in Blantyre, Malawi with regional operations in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania, is the leading supplier and contractor of agricultural, forestry, and construction equipment and services in Southern Africa. FES partners with commercial estates and smallholder farmers alike, providing mechanisation, agronomic, and engineering solutions to drive productivity and growth. www.fes.africa

Contact for media enquiries: John Jakobsson, Investment Director, [email protected]


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001125914)

Planting Naturals secures $7m from AgDevCo for sustainable organic palm oil

LONDON, Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AgDevCo is pleased to announce a USD 7 million investment in Planting Naturals, a leading producer of sustainable organic palm oil in Sierra Leone. Planting Naturals operates a vertically integrated model, sourcing fruits from both its own plantations and a growing network of smallholder farmers, to produce organic crude palm oil and palm kernel oil for export.

The company employs over 1,500 people and procures palm fruit from about 8,000 smallholder farmers in rural Sierra Leone. The company trains farmers in sustainable agriculture and supports certifications such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and the EU’s deforestation–free regulation (EUDR).

AgDevCo’s investment will enable Planting Naturals to increase fruit production, increase mill capacity, and upgrade logistics infrastructure. The investment is complemented by technical assistance to strengthen farmer support programmes, including digital and traceability.

“This investment reflects our commitment to building sustainable agriculture supply chains in Africa linking smallholder farmers to local and international markets,” said Kweku Koranteng, AgDevCo’s Regional Director for West Africa. “Our patient, flexible capital supports rural communities to meet rising global demand for sustainable palm oil, with significant benefits in terms of jobs and inclusive economic growth.”

“We are delighted to welcome AgDevCo as a long–term partner in our mission to transform Sierra Leone’s palm oil sector,” said Jan Hein De Vroe, CEO of Planting Naturals. “This investment will allow us to scale our operations, strengthen our partnerships with thousands of smallholder farmers, and further position Sierra Leone as a source of certified, sustainable, and traceable organic palm oil. Together, we will demonstrate that palm oil can be produced in a way that delivers shared value—improving farmer incomes, empowering rural communities, and protecting the environment.”

AgDevCo is a specialist impact investor operating exclusively in the agriculture sector in Africa. Our mission is to build successful African agribusinesses through long–term investment and support to deliver positive impact at scale.

We invest debt and equity in African agribusinesses to create jobs, improve food security, and boost prosperity. With $340 million assets under management, we have made over 89 investments to date (of which 51 exited). Our investments leverage private capital into socially responsible farming and agri–processing businesses in Africa, with major benefits for smallholder farmers and local communities.

Contact for media enquiries: Kweku Koranteng, Regional Director; Tel: +44 (0) 20 7539 2650; email [email protected] or [email protected]. 


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001125942)

AgDevCo Successfully Exits Saise Farming Enterprises, Strengthening Zambia’s Potato Industry

LUSAKA, Zambia, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AgDevCo is pleased to announce its successful exit from Saise Farming Enterprises Limited, through an equity sale to Buya Bamba Limited, a leading Zambian potato company.

Saise was established in 2016 as a specialised potato seed farm between AgDevCo, Buya Bamba and its managing partners. Saise has played a crucial role in developing Zambia’s potato sector by producing high– quality, early–generation seed potatoes which are carefully chosen for Zambia’s climate and grown under licence from Buya Bamba.

With 285 hectares under irrigation in Mbala, Northern Zambia, Saise's seed potatoes are multiplied by a
network of growers, reaching a large portion of the country’s potato farmers. The farm has been instrumental in improving seed availability, enhancing yields, and enabling a reliable local source of excellent quality potato seed for Zambia. Additionally, Saise has created much–needed formal employment in Northern Zambia.

“Saise is in excellent hands with Buya Bamba, our partner in the venture from the start and are grateful for the commitment from our managing partners to build Saise into what it is today. As a proudly Zambian company, Buya Bamba is well–positioned to continue growing Zambia’s potato industry,” said Sean Carey, South Region Managing Director at AgDevCo.

Anthony Barker, Managing Director of Buya Bamba, added, “The future of Zambia’s potato industry is bright and this acquisition further strengthens the Zambian potato value chain. Buya Bamba appreciates the effort from AgDevCo to jointly lead the development of Saise, and take the early stage investment risk of this successful greenfield project.”

After successfully closing its latest US$85 million fund raise in 2024, AgDevCo remains committed to supporting pioneering agribusinesses across Zambia and Sub–Saharan Africa and is actively seeking opportunities to invest in sustainable farming and agri–processing ventures in Zambia and across the region.

About AgDevCo:

AgDevCo is a specialist impact investor operating exclusively in the agriculture sector in Africa. Our mission is to build successful African agribusinesses through long–term investment and support to deliver positive impact at scale. We invest debt and equity in African agribusinesses to create jobs, improve food security, and boost prosperity. With $340 million assets under management, we have made over 88 investments to date. Our investments leverage private capital into socially–responsible farming and agri–processing businesses in Africa, with major benefits for smallholder farmers and local communities.

Contact for media enquiries: Sean Carey, Managing Director South Region; Tel: +44 (0) 20 7539 2650; email [email protected] or [email protected]

About Buya Bamba:

Buya Bamba is a Zambian agribusiness company specializing in the production, marketing, storage, and distribution of high–quality potatoes. The company plays a key role in strengthening Zambia’s agricultural value chain by supplying locally grown potatoes to agro–processing industries, supermarkets, restaurants, and commercial buyers. Buya Bamba strongly supports the informal sector through its sales depots which create income generating opportunities downstream.

Contact for media enquiries: Anthony Barker, Managing Director; Tel: +260 966 861 140; email [email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52b0d869–9304–42ab–8487–898b578d8c7f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/78206b1c–0ee8–4b6a–b1e7–8e6738dad3ee


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001053468)

Agventure raises $9.5 million from AgDevCo to help expand its canola oil and seed processing in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya and LONDON, Nov. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Specialist agricultural investor AgDevCo is pleased to announce its latest investment in Kenya, into Agventure, a farmer–owned business that is leading the way in regenerative agricultural practices for non–irrigated cereal–based systems.

Agventure was established in 2010 with the mission of enabling Kenyan farmers to develop more sustainable farming practices. Agventure consists of a collective of farmers, researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs working to model, promote, and share regenerative production methods throughout the food system.

Today the group supplies over 45,000 tonnes of food crops into the local market, across a range of crops including wheat, barley, maize, canola, sunflower, green peas, chickpeas, lupins, fava beans and others. Through its Centre of Excellence, the company reaches and trains over 700 small and medium sized farmers across the country, encouraging them to introduce rotational crops including canola, into their farming system to help promote soil health. Agventure then provides a guaranteed offtake for the canola seed, which it processes and sells to the Kenyan market.

AgDevCo’s mezzanine loan of $9.5 million will enable the company to continue to develop its canola oil production capabilities – it sells oil under the Pure Mountain brand in Kenya – allowing the company to increase its volumes purchased from outgrower farmers. It will also help to build Agventure Seed’s platform to supply high quality certified seed to farmers.

AgDevCo’s Managing Director for East Africa, Rebecca Sankar, said, “We are excited to be supporting Agventure in its journey to add more value commodity crops, which increases the availability of high quality, locally produced food for the domestic market and reduces reliance on imports.”

Agventure’s CEO, Don White, said, “Agventure is looking forward to working with AgDevCo to expand and strengthen our business and in doing so expand availability of regenerative agriculture solutions to many more farmers.”

AgDevCo is a specialist investor in African agriculture, growing sustainable and impactful agribusiness, with USD 280m under management. Its vision is a thriving commercial agriculture sector, which benefits both people and planet by investing in and supporting agribusinesses to grow, create jobs, produce, and process food and link farmers to markets. AgDevCo supports its partners to work towards climate sustainability, and where possible, regenerative solutions. AgDevCo has made more than 65 investments to date. More information can be found at www.agdevco.com

Sam Hayley, Senior Investment Manager [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5aea4cf–23b6–4586–9fb1–cb3afcd63202


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001012023)

Tropo Farms secures $10m from AgDevCo to expand tilapia fish production in Ghana

ACCRA, Ghana and LONDON, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Specialist agriculture investor AgDevCo has signed a long–term investment with Tropo Farms, the leading tilapia fish producer in West Africa and among the largest in Sub–Saharan Africa. Tropo Farms employs 917 people and supplies fish to the local market through about 3,000 market traders, the majority of whom are women.

Ghana has one of the highest fish consumption rates in Africa, consuming over 800,000 tonnes per year. This investment will boost the country’s aquaculture industry to satisfy the growing local demand for high quality, affordable fish as a sustainable alternative to wild catch and imports.

Tropo Farms is a pioneer in African aquaculture. Established by founder Mark Amechi in 1997, Tropo has developed sophisticated aquaculture practices tailored for local conditions.

AgDevCo’s investment of $10m will finance the construction of a modern processing facility and other production equipment. This will increase the company’s capacity to 30,000 tonnes within five years, contributing to improved nutrition and food security in Ghana.

Tropo sees opportunities for further aquaculture projects in West Africa, which it plans to pursue with AgDevCo and other strategic co–investors.

“Investing in Tropo Farms supports production of an important protein source in Ghana, contributes to import substitution and promotes economic growth. Our investment will enhance operational efficiency and sustainable aquaculture practices,” said Kweku Koranteng, AgDevCo’s Investment Director for West Africa.

“This loan is a major milestone for Tropo Farms. It will expand our logistics and distribution network while bringing more benefits to the communities where we operate. We are pleased to partner with AgDevCo, who brings flexible long–term capital to support our growth, as well as agribusiness expertise,” said Francisco Murillo, Tropo Farms CEO.

Mark Amechi, founder of Tropo Farms, added: “This agreement will not only enable us to scale our production volume and market share within Ghana but also represents a critical step toward realising our long–held ambitions of expanding further into the underdeveloped West African aquaculture sector.”

AgDevCo is a specialist investor in African agriculture, growing sustainable and impactful agribusiness, with $280m under management. Their vision is a thriving commercial agriculture sector, which benefits both people and planet by investing in and supporting agribusinesses to grow, create jobs, produce, and process food and link farmers to markets. They support their partners to work towards climate sustainability, and where possible, regenerative solutions. AgDevCo has made more than 65 investments to date.

Contact details for media:

Kweku Koranteng, [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d3424eb–7995–475e–9db9–9c4d9e33964c


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001010025)