Long-Term (LT) finance is critical for investments in building infrastructure and agribusiness capacity, improved technologies, and equipment to make agriculture more productive, efficient, profitable, and resilient. However, LT financing for SMEs and farmers in the agriculture sector is more constrained than traditional short-term (ST) crop financing, fish & livestock as well as LT financing for SMEs in other sectors. The significant financing gap is caused by a combination of supply and effective demand issues inherent in the agriculture sector as well as constraints in the enabling environment.

The African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group will host a webinar to review and share insights on the Bankā€™s recent publication on ā€˜Assessment of Long-term Finance Providers for Small and Medium Agribusinesses: Stocktaking, Lessons, and Case Studiesā€™[1]. The webinar will be held on 8th June, 2021 from 11 a.m- 12.30 p.m GMT.

The study presents a review of the major players and types of LT financing on the supply side. The assessment provides a general synopsis of the LT situation from different parts of the developing world drawing lessons from a broad range of financial service providers including Central Banks, Commercial and Development Banks as well as Microfinance Institutions.

We recognize the vital contribution by AFRACA members and partners in the publication of the book authored by Toshiaki Ono and Mr. Calvin Miller. The Case studies of LT finance highlighted from AFRACA member institutions include: Bank of Uganda, Afriland First Bank (Cameroon); Bank of Industry (Nigeria), Centenary Bank (Uganda), Opportunity Bank (Ghana), Juhudi Kilimo (Kenya) and Farm Credit System among others.

The webinar will therefore create a platform for different stakeholders to review the case studies highlighted in the book and for partners to share in-depth insights on Long term financing in Agriculture.

Members and participants are encouraged to access the publication prior to the webinar available at:  https://afraca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Assessment-of-Long-term-Finance-Providers-for-Small-and-Medium-Agribusinesses-Stocktaking-Lessons-and-Case-Studies_.pdf

REGISTRATION is currently ongoing at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcucuGspzwjHNLKbZuzc9zdyA4s5OinS-NW

[1] World Bank Group. 2021. Assessment of Long-term Finance Providers for Small and Medium Agribusinesses : Stocktaking, Lessons, and Case Studies. World Bank, Washington, DC. Ā© World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/35539 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.ā€