International Fund for Agricultural Development

📢 IFAD is #hiring! As a specialized International Financial Institution, IFAD invests in rural development to drive sustainable impact in rural communities worldwide. We are looking for experienced professionals to join our team in the following roles. Click the links below to learn more and apply: 🔹Senior Legal Officer 👉 bit.ly/4tHbv19 🔹Country Programme Coordinator (Dakar) 👉 bit.ly/4ehqGcl 🔹Lead Regional Technical Specialist (Panama City) 👉 bit.ly/4eh1SkS 🌐 Learn more about IFAD’s work: ifad.org/en/what-we-do #JoinIFAD #IFI #Careers

In Paris, I participated at the #G7 Development Ministerial Meeting where I engaged in discussions on strengthening cooperation and advancing a more efficient financial architecture, one that reduces fragmentation and delivers faster, more impactful results for partner countries. In a special session, I spoke about strategies to build a more efficient financial architecture with practical steps to strengthen partner countries’ sovereignty and resilience. Development finance must be more disciplined and catalytic, anchored in clearer guidance on domestic resource mobilization, stronger private capital mobilization and the scaling of remittances and diaspora investment as a reliable channel for rural development. We also discussed how to reduce fragmentation and use concessional resources more strategically, through country-led platforms and stronger accountability. Rising macroeconomic pressures are affecting the poorest countries hardest, especially economies reliant on agriculture and rural sectors. This is where @IFAD focuses its investments at the first mile, working to de-risk rural economies and unlock sustainable growth. This is precisely when partnership-driven investments with multiplier effects matter most. #FinancingTheFirstMile #FiCSG7 #FamilyRemittances #G7Development

E-commerce platforms, digital financial services and climate-smart agriculture are just some of the many digital tools and approaches that can catalyze growth in rural areas. In Southeast Asia, where three in four people own a smartphone, these tools represent an opportunity for the 100 million small-scale farmers who produce most of the region's food to access markets, finance, weather data and technical support. To harness their potential, IFAD launched the Smallholder Economic Empowerment through Digital Solutions (SEEDS) project with funding from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea. From the #Philippines to #VietNam, localized solutions are now modernizing farms and agri-enterprises across Southeast Asia. Find out how at bit.ly/426vgTv

At the launch of the #AgriConnect Guinea Pact, IFAD reaffirmed its commitment to work with the Government of #Guinea, the @WorldBankGroup and partners to support the transformation of the country’s agri-food systems. This joint initiative aims to strengthen food security, create jobs and position agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, with a focus on priority value chains such as rice, poultry and fonio. Building on more than four decades of engagement in Guinea, IFAD brings extensive experience in investing in small-scale producers and developing resilient, market-oriented food systems. Since 1980, IFAD has invested US$270.94 million across 15 projects and programmes, contributing to a total investment of US$615.49 million and directly benefiting over 651,000 rural households. Continue reading at bit.ly/4ukXtC8 #IFADImpact #FinancingTheFirstMile

"Strengthening their resilience is not optional, but it is a necessary response that generates long-term stability. Investing in water, climate resilient agriculture, rural finance, and market access is often the most effective way to prevent emergency needs from escalating” said @IFADPresident Alvaro Lario at the launch of the 2026 Global Report on Food Crises (#GRFC) report. In its 10th edition released this week, the report highlights that 266 million people are experiencing acute hunger, double the number in 2016, with malnutrition levels alarmingly high and increasingly entrenched. The report warns that severe levels of acute food insecurity remain critical in multiple contexts in 2026. Ongoing conflicts, climate variability and global economic uncertainty, including risks to food markets, are likely to sustain or worsen conditions in many countries. In particular, while a full assessment is premature, the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East exposes areas already facing food crises to both direct and indirect risks of global agrifood market disruptions. As an IFI, IFAD advances long-term solutions to food crises by promoting coherent financing approaches and investments that address the root causes of acute food insecurity and strengthen resilience. The report was released by the Global Network Against Food Crises (@fightfoodcrises), an international alliance of the @UN; the #EU; the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (@BMZ_Bund); the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK); the Government of Ireland (@GovIE); the Group of Seven Plus (@g7plus); governmental and non-governmental agencies working together to address food crises with evidence-based actions proven to deliver impact. Continue reading at bit.ly/4vZH5sj

Fiscal constraints across the international development system underscore the need to deploy official development assistance more strategically and catalytically. Today in Paris, I participated in a panel discussion on how to reduce fragmentation and reinforce coordination at @FinanceInCommon’s #FiCSG7 event alongside Sidi Ould Tah, President of the @AfDB_Group, Boitumelo Mosako, CEO of the @DBSA_Bank, Fahad Hamad-Al Sulaiti, DG of @qatar_fund. Our exchanges focused on how to strengthen coordination and operationalisation across the development finance ecosystem and investment flows, leveraging #PDBs and country-led platforms to deliver more coherent, long-term, and transformational outcomes. This is precisely where @IFAD adds value. In my meeting with @CaroitEleonore, Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, I reaffirmed IFAD’s strong support for the French Presidency’s efforts to better connect development priorities with financing solutions, an approach that is both timely and necessary in today’s global context. I am grateful for the Minister’s message of hope amidst trying times and of trust in multilateralism to enhance mutual beneficial partnerships. As a strategic partner to the #G7, IFAD operates as an international financial institution, mobilizing and deploying capital at the first mile. #IFAD14 is strategically positioned to contribute at scale to core G7 priorities, from leveraging remittances and diaspora investment as drivers of rural resilience, to tackling malnutrition and advancing school meals as among the most cost-effective investments in human capital. @francediplo_EN @francediplo #IFADImpact #FinancingTheFirstMile #G7development

Where rural populations cannot save, borrow, or insure against risk, agricultural productivity stagnates – and with it, broader economic growth. In #Benin, where agriculture accounts for 70% of employment and 30% of GDP, IFAD has worked to address this gap through sustained investment in rural financial inclusion. The IFAD-financed Adapted Rural Financial Services Development Project extended savings and credit services to more than 50,000 rural people. As a result, supported households were significantly more likely to hold savings (88% vs. 67%) and to access loans (56% vs. 34%) than those in non-supported areas. The project also strengthened the Association of Financial Services of Benin (ASF), a community-based microfinance network, ensuring that services remained reliable, regulation-compliant and accessible well beyond the project's closure. Building on these results, a new IFAD-financed intervention has already delivered measurable early outcomes – a 150% increase in local seed production, expanded agricultural insurance coverage and a projected 3,000+ jobs along horticultural value chains. Read more about IFAD's work in Benin at bit.ly/4eIt0JC

Today’s 9th Joint Informal Meeting of the Rome Based Agencies underscored the need for stronger collaboration and joint results at country level, reduced duplication and greater efficiency. The RBAs, @FAO , @IFAD and @WFP , each bring distinct strengths. WFP focuses on emergency response. FAO provides data, standards and policy guidance. IFAD mobilizes long-term investment at the first mile, supporting rural transformation, market development and resilient economies. Collaboration must remain country-driven, with governments defining priorities and partnerships. IFAD offers longstanding expertise in financing rural transformation, connecting local systems to broader economic opportunities, and more coherent policy engagement. Our joint work on #SchoolMeals showcases how we are linking agriculture, nutrition and education through nationally owned systems to advance on #ZeroHunger. In #Kenya, we are connecting small-scale producers to structured markets and school feeding programmes. FAO supports policy and technical standards. WFP delivers at scale. IFAD invests in smallholder agriculture and value chains so local producers can supply these programmes. The result is stronger supply chains, improved livelihoods and more sustainable systems. We are delivering results. In a more volatile and constrained environment, the direction is evident: act earlier, work more effectively, and deliver together within a more coherent system. This is how we strengthen food security, stability and shared prosperity. #FinancingTheFirstMile #IFADImpact #IFAD14 #SchoolMeals

🇫🇷 The French Presidency of the #G7 puts partnerships front and centre. @AFD_France and @IFAD have worked together for decades through initiatives like @FinanceInCommon, bringing public development banks onto a shared platform to coordinate resources and reach the small-scale rural producers who grow nearly half of the world's food. Watch AFD CEO @RiouxRemy discuss how the two institutions are responding to current economic pressures, investing in Africa's growing rural workforce and strengthening underperforming value chains. Read about the Agri-PDB Platform at bit.ly/4vYe54o #FinancingTheFirstMile 🇫🇷 La Présidence française du #G7 fait des partenariats une priorité. @AFD_France et @IFAD collaborent depuis des décennies dans le cadre d’initiatives telles que Finance in Common, qui réunit de nombreuses banques publiques de développement sur une plateforme commune pour coordonner les ressources et toucher les petits producteurs et productrices des zones rurales qui cultivent près de la moitié de la production alimentaire mondiale. Le Directeur général de l’AFD @RiouxRemy nous explique comment les deux institutions répondent aux pressions économiques actuelles, investissent dans les zones rurales en Afrique et leur main-d’œuvre croissante et optimisent des chaînes de valeur parfois sous-performantes. Plus d'informations sur la Plateforme Agri-PDB ici : bit.ly/4vYe54o #FinancerlePremierKilomètre

What changes when small-scale farmers can rely on stable demand and fair prices? In #Kenya, a recently concluded IFAD-EU programme is expanding market access for small-scale farmers in the New Mbeere Farmers’ Cooperative. One of their most reliable new outlets is the national school feeding programme - supported by a joint  initiative from IFAD, FAO and WFP - which now supplies nutritious local grains to schools in the area. The programme has established 400 collection centres and 40 storage facilities while organizing more than 114,000 small-scale farmers into groups linked to bulk buyers, exceeding initial targets by 20%. With higher and more predictable incomes, farmers are now investing in livestock, water systems and climate-smart practices that help sustain yields even when rainfall is inconsistent. Continue reading at bit.ly/3QvKj6D

This week, I was in London to deepen @IFAD’s partnership with the #UK at a pivotal moment for food security and development cooperation. I met Minister Baroness @JennyChapman , UK Minister of State for International Development and Africa to advance shared priorities. This includes #IFAD14 and accelerating blended finance solutions that mobilize private capital at scale for agri-SMEs and underserved rural communities, including in fragile settings. Together with @WFP and @FAO we discussed the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on local and global food systems and prices. The current situation in the Middle East presents a systematic global shock through maritime trade, energy and fertilizer prices. Quick action and strong alignment between the RBAs, IFIs, Government, and other partners is crucial to absorb these external shocks and reduce the impact on the #FirstMile. I also met with Lord Jonathan Oates, Members of the House of Lords and CEO of @UnitedAMH to highlight how strategic investment in rural transformation and food systems can deliver nutrition outcomes at scale. Redefining development finance requires scaling innovative instruments that deliver measurable impact, strengthen multilateral action and ensure value for money where it matters most. #FinancingTheFirstMile #IFADImpact @FCDOGovUK

Global shocks are testing the stability of food systems worldwide, but it's small-scale producers who feel the impact most directly. Read our first X Article to explore how IFAD is supporting communities at the #FirstMile to withstand fertilizer price spikes and supply disruptions through local solutions, rapid response tools and long-term investment in rural economies. From locally blended fertilizers to financing mechanisms, the focus is clear: strengthen resilience before the next shock arrives.

This week, I closely engaged with @IFAD’s Executive Board during our Annual Informal Meeting and our 147th Executive Board Meeting. These exchanges are always valuable and important opportunities to learn. Our discussions reaffirmed that IFAD’s mandate and comparative advantage are as relevant today as they were at its creation 50 years ago, in response to a global food crisis and economic shocks. That relevance has only increased in today’s geopolitical context. Delivering impact at scale requires coordinated action and investments. This is precisely where IFAD is uniquely positioned as an international financial institution: at the intersection of public and private finance, translating global priorities into investments at the first mile. Building on IFAD’s strong progress in scaling up its private sector engagement, we had a constructive discussion at the Executive Board on how to further refine our strategic direction. A key priority going forward will be to enhance complementarity between our sovereign operations and private sector investments, while increasing our focus on catalytic investments in rural SMEs to drive inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. I was encouraged by the strong sense of alignment and shared responsibility across the Board and IFAD Management. This relationship underpins IFAD’s standing as a model for effective, transparent and accountable governance. Maintaining this close partnership will be key as we navigate increasing complexity and continue to deliver results. #FinancingTheFirstMile

High-impact water investments are a strategic lever for economic stability. They strengthen rural economies, reduce systemic risk and deliver measurable returns. By #FinancingTheFirstMile, IFAD positions water as a bankable entry point for capital – unlocking productivity, safeguarding food systems and mitigating climate-related shocks. By joining the @WorldBankGroup's #WaterForward initiative, IFAD will strengthen its work with governments, multilateral institutions and private sector partners to scale up financing solutions that secure water – and economic stability – at the source. #IFADImpact

It was a pleasure to meet H.E. @WilliamsRuto, President of the Republic of #Kenya, in Rome today. Our discussion reaffirmed Kenya’s longstanding partnership with @IFAD and its continued commitment to the organization. Over more than four decades, IFAD’s partnership with Kenya has supported rural transformation through integrated investments in productivity, resilience, markets, and finance. This includes 21 projects totalling US$1.25 billion, with US$582 million in direct IFAD financing, reaching 4.2 million rural people. A central focus of this partnership is investing in young women and men. More than 200,000 youth have been engaged as entrepreneurs, workers, and value chain actors. Through initiatives such as agribusiness hubs, climate-resilient value chains, and innovative rural finance under the RK-FINFA programme, IFAD is helping transform agri-food systems into engines of jobs, enterprise creation, and inclusive growth, aligned with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. As we advance towards #IFAD14, Kenya’s leadership will be critical. It signals African-led ambition in financing agri-food system transformation and helps shape the future of rural development financing across the continent. I look forward to continuing this dialogue with the President in #Nairobi at the #AfricaForward Summit next month, where IFAD sees a key opportunity to position agriculture, youth employment, and rural finance at the centre of the Africa–France partnership and the broader global agenda. #FinancingTheFirstMile

Agriculture is a critical sector that secures our food security and is the largest employer in Kenya. Consequently, it is a major enabler in our fight against poverty and the efforts to accelerate development. We are committed to assembling tools that will empower our farmers with better incomes, enhancing their capabilities to produce more and innovate. With the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD), we have invested in agriculture in our quest to broaden financing options for the transformation of agri-food systems. Pleased to meet IFAD President Alvaro Lario, Rome, Italy. Thanked him for the institution’s $40 million (KSh5.2 billion) support for the dairy sector. Additionally, commended IFAD for the planned roll-out of phase two of $263 million (KSh34 billion) support for small-scale farmers in the next three years.

IFAD and the Government of #India are scaling up successful income‑raising interventions across agricultural value chains to reach 150,000 people in rural Mizoram over the next 6 years. The new US$45.78 million financing agreement builds on an earlier IFAD‑financed programme in the region, which successfully raised incomes by 43% through improved market access and integrated farming practices. In alignment with India’s priorities for inclusive and climate‑resilient growth, the programme’s second phase will support smallholder farmers and rural enterprises to move from subsistence to market‑oriented production – improving how crops and livestock products are produced, aggregated, processed and sold. Read more about our work in India at bit.ly/3OCgbG1

📢 IFAD is #hiring! As a specialized International Financial Institution, IFAD invests in rural development to drive sustainable impact in rural communities worldwide. We are looking for experienced professionals to join our team in the following roles. Click the links below to learn more and apply: 🔹Country Director (Niger) 👉 bit.ly/4vHFd7E 🔹Chief Evidence for Development Impact and Innovation Unit 👉 bit.ly/4tPCzuw 🔹 Regional Technical Specialist (Environment & Climate) 👉 bit.ly/48ppMHd 🔹 Finance Assistant (Financial Reporting & Corporate Finance) 👉 bit.ly/3QcSO6t 🔹 Lead Global Technical Specialist (Rural Finance) 👉 bit.ly/4tLBx2D 🔹 Regional Technical Specialist (Crops and Animal Production) 👉 bit.ly/486sQHV 🌐 Learn more about IFAD’s work: ifad.org/en/what-we-do #JoinIFAD #IFI #Careers