The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), along with its partners and with support from the European Union, is supporting the Malian diaspora in establishing Ciwara Capital—an investment company entirely owned by the diaspora.
This type of initiative is a model for how African diaspora capital, beyond the US$ 55 billion already sent home each year in remittances, can be harnessed to contribute towards Africa’s financing gaps. It demonstrates that capital investments can combine profitability with sustainable development, offering a blueprint for Africa’s future growth.
Ciwara Capital has invested in SOPROTRILAD, a rice company based in Mopti, Mali. Although the country is struggling to attract investment because of political instability, security challenges and climate change, Ciwara’s investment is proving that a qualified generation of diaspora investors is emerging - investors who are driven by both financial returns and a desire for social impact.
At 65, rice farmer Ibrahima Samassekou is busy preparing for the next harvest. Like other farmers, he is already feeling the impact of climate change.
SOUNDBITE Ibrahima Samassekou, Farmer in Mopti (in Bambara): ‘This year we've had a lot of water (flooding), but we've also noticed a lot of heat recently.’
Ibrahima is the President of the rice producers' cooperative from Bargondaga, near Mopti – an unstable region affected by deep security challenges. Thanks to the agreement between his cooperative and SOPROTRILAD, a Malian company that produces, processes, and markets rice, small-scale farmers like him have a guaranteed market for their production.
SOUNDBITE Ibrahima Samassekou, Farmer in Mopti (in Bambara): ‘Every year, they provide us with a certain amount of inputs, and on our side, we guarantee the sale of a certain quantity of our crops.’
SOPROTRILAD partners with over 160 agricultural cooperatives, supporting more than 3,000 small producers in Mali.
Oumarou Amadou Sankaré, SOPROTRILAD representative: ‘Thanks to our support, some producers have been able to increase their sales, and their yield has also risen. Their children also find employment thanks to this, and they benefit from training that enables them to form cooperatives or associations to help their community.’
By investing in companies like SOPROTRILAD, the Malian diaspora is making a tangible difference, increasing the economic and climatic resilience of rural Malian populations. Ciwara Capital thus gets returns on investments that have a clear economic, social and environmental impact.
Moussa Bagayoko, co-founder and CEO of Ciwara Capital: ‘The ambition is really to put at the service of the development of private sector companies in Africa all the know-how and financial means that this diaspora can mobilize to participate in its own way in the development of the continent. Concretely, what does that mean? We invest in SMEs and start-ups that are in the agricultural sector, in the financial sector and also in the energy sector with, when it is justified or when it is necessary, support through technology or digital. '
Companies like SOPROTRILAD see clear benefits.
Oumarou Amadou Sankaré, SOPROTRILAD Representative: ‘It shows us that these Malians from abroad want to help their country, they're patriots, they haven't forgotten us. They can be reassured that we will use their funds as they wish and where they are needed.’
Ibrahima Samassekou, Farmer in Mopti: ‘This is a very welcome initiative. The fact that Malians from abroad are investing in their country of origin shows a great deal of awareness.’
Thanks to Ciwara’s investment, SOPROTRILAD is now building a new rice factory that will provide new market linkage and work opportunities especially for youth.
Oumarou Amadou Sankaré, SOPROTRILAD Representative: ‘With the new factory we're building, we'll need a lot of paddy rice. We're going to try to contact a lot of producers, and this should reduce famine and rural exodus in many regions. There's work here, and we're trying to train young people and make them aware of agricultural techniques so that they can really stay here, cultivate and work the land. When you work the land, the land never lies.’
SOPROTRILAD, with direct support from IFAD, is also introducing cooperatives and farmers to advanced rice production techniques that reduce water and fertilizer use, lower emissions and improve soil health and crop yields - such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).
Ibrahima Samassekou, Farmer in Mopti: ‘The new system we are using is the SRI system. It is more beneficial for us. For example, for a 0.25 ha field, we used 13 kg of seeds - while with SRI, we only use 2 to 3 kg of seedbeds. SRI also uses less water, which reduces the use of motor pumps and saves fuel. For a 0.25 ha field, where we harvested between 20 and 25 bags of paddy rice, we often get up to 34 bags with SRI. Although the technique requires more rigor, it is much more beneficial.’
SOPROTRILAD has also been supported by IFAD’s INCLUSIF programme to strengthen relationships between agro-industries and producers‘ cooperatives, as well as training partner cooperatives to adopt resilient cultivation practices with higher yields.
Oumarou Amadou Sankaré, SOPROTRILAD Representative: ‘IFAD provided us with substantial support. We were able to conduct training and distribute equipment to producers, the funds granted were used for this purpose. This has brought us closer to the producers. Thanks to these funds, we were able to train them in cultural techniques and contract farming. IFAD funds have really helped us to enable producers to produce quality rice."
Founded in 2022, Ciwara Capital was born from the collective vision of its founders who were determined to contribute to Africa’s economic and social development. The creation of Ciwara Capital has been supported by IFAD and Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P).
Ciwara Capital is a vehicle for the African diaspora to invest in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, with a current focus on the agriculture, energy and financial sectors.
In the last 18 months, Ciwara Capital has raised EUR 200,000 from the diaspora, with an aim to raise EUR 2 million by 2026.
For more information on this Video News Release please contact: Gaelle Legroux [email protected].
