Cultivating Africa’s Future: IFAD and Italy’s BF S.p.A. Partner to Advance Sustainable Agriculture

Cultivating Africa’s Future: IFAD and Italy’s BF S.p.A. Partner to Advance Sustainable Agriculture

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and BF S.p.A., Italy’s leading agri-industrial group, have joined forces to strengthen sustainable and inclusive agricultural development across Africa. The two institutions have signed a Letter of Intent to explore collaboration opportunities aimed at boosting food security, reducing reliance on imports, and generating new economic opportunities in rural communities.

The agreement, formalised during the Dakar Business Forum in Senegal, signals a shared commitment to transforming Africa’s agricultural systems. The Forum brings together Senegalese and Italian businesses to foster investment partnerships and strengthen trade relations.

Federica Diamanti, IFAD’s Associate Vice-President for External Relations, described the partnership as a key step towards unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential. “Strengthening Africa’s agricultural systems is essential to create decent job opportunities, especially for young people and women in rural areas, so they can build their future in their own communities,” she said at the signing ceremony. Diamanti added that IFAD’s role would include mitigating risks and creating transparent conditions to encourage private sector investment in agriculture.

For BF S.p.A., this collaboration marks a significant stride in the company’s international growth and its commitment to promoting regenerative and inclusive farming. “The signing of this Letter of Intent marks another step forward in BF Group’s internationalisation process and in our commitment to promoting innovative, regenerative, and inclusive agriculture,” said Federico Vecchioni, Executive President of BF S.p.A. “The collaboration with IFAD allows us to implement the BFuture Farm model, integrating technology, training, and local development to contribute concretely to food security and the growth of the territories where we operate, in full alignment with the objectives of Italy’s Mattei Plan and the United Nations 2030 Agenda.”

Under the Mattei Plan for Africa, Italy aims to deepen its cooperation with African nations through partnerships that combine public and private investments to foster economic development and stability. The plan prioritises key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, with a focus on empowering local communities and building resilience.

IFAD’s portfolio in sub-Saharan Africa exceeds US$4 billion in ongoing projects, representing half of the organisation’s total global investment. The Fund continues to work with local banks, cooperatives, and youth networks to ensure that financing reaches grassroots levels where it can drive meaningful change. By partnering with BF S.p.A., IFAD aims to scale up these investments and support innovative approaches that can strengthen food systems and improve livelihoods.

BF S.p.A., through its subsidiary BF International, has already launched agricultural projects in Algeria, the Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. These initiatives currently span about 130,000 hectares of land and are designed as part of the BFuture Farm programme, a model focused on sustainable and regenerative agriculture, technology transfer, and community development. The approach aligns closely with IFAD’s mission to build resilient rural livelihoods and secure food systems across developing regions.

The collaboration will also leverage BF International’s expertise in precision agriculture and advanced digital tools such as satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based platforms. Combined with IFAD’s technical and financial support, these innovations are expected to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance environmental sustainability.

Training and capacity-building are central to the partnership. Both organisations intend to invest in programmes that enhance the technical and managerial skills of rural populations. They also plan to promote sustainable agriculture as a driver of economic growth in international policy discussions and business forums.

This alliance underlines Italy’s growing role in fostering sustainable development partnerships with Africa. Through IFAD, a Rome-based United Nations institution, the collaboration represents a unique model of multilateral cooperation that brings together financial resources, innovation, and expertise to address Africa’s most pressing agricultural challenges.

As global attention turns to ensuring food security and resilience amid climate and economic pressures, partnerships such as that between IFAD and BF S.p.A. highlight the potential of cross-sector collaboration to create lasting change in Africa’s rural economies.

Sources:

• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Press Release, 2025
• BF S.p.A. Official Statement, 2025
• Dakar Business Forum 2025 Event Highlights
• Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
• United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development