The focus of the USAID-funded Trade and Investment Hub Project is to improve the capacity of West Africa’s private sector and business enabling environment by building capacity and addressing constraints. Specifically, the project uses a multi-tiered approach to better value chain performance in regional staple foods – such as livestock and grains – and global exports, including cashew, shea, mango, and apparel.

Banyan Global is leading the finance and investment component of the project, facilitating over $62 million in financing to exporters, traders, and agricultural processors. Our work builds the capacity of firms and financial intermediaries to access critical debt and equity for agribusinesses – as well as cross-cutting supporting industries, such as transport firms, warehouses, and packaging manufacturers. In particular, Banyan Global is building the capacity of over 30 West African financial intermediaries (financial advisors) on how to develop credible business concepts to successfully access commercial financing. We are also partnering with regional financial institutions across West Africa, providing technical assistance and training on expanding their lending to agribusinesses.  All of our work is done with and through African partner organizations to build skills, capacity, and institutional sustainability.