Complete Farmer uses digital technology to build a more efficient agricultural supply chain for smallholder farmers in West Africa.
Symbiotics, a Swiss impact investment platform dedicated to private markets in emerging and frontier economies, has provided Ghanaian agritech firm Complete Farmer with a $5m (€4.3m) debt investment to drive innovation and productivity.
Although Ghana is the world’s second-biggest cocoa producer and the fourth-largest in cassava, according to the International Trade Administration, its local farmers often face challenges, including limited market access, fragmented value chains and inconsistent product quality.
Complete Farmer aims to overcome these obstacles by offering access to a digital platform that connects more than 12,000 smallholder farmers directly to global food buyers and agricultural input suppliers. The firm, which was founded in 2017, also invests in the infrastructure required to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
Vincent Lehner, head of markets at Symbiotics, praised Complete Farmer’s use of technology to boost agricultural expertise for all of its farmers.
“This investment aligns closely with our vision of fostering sustainable development in frontier markets,” Lehner said.
Pivotal moment
Symbiotics manages an aggregate portfolio of $2.5bn, spread across 19 funds and mandates. In the past two decades, it has made more than 8,200 investments in 99 countries, totalling more than $10.5bn.
The partnership with Complete Farmerm aims to contribute to SDG 2 – Zero Hunger by boosting rural livelihoods and providing smallholders farmers with a more stable income, Symbiotics said.
“This investment marks a pivotal moment in our journey to build the most efficient agricultural supply chains in Africa. With Symbiotics’ support, we’re accelerating our mission to empower smallholder farmers with the tools, knowledge, and market access they need to thrive. Together, we’re laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive agricultural future,” said Desmond Koney, CEO of Complete Farmer.
