Promoting a sustainable agribusiness sector in Africa

Maris operates food and crop production companies and agricultural service companies that are working to accelerate the integration of East Africa’s agricultural stakeholders into global food systems and strengthen the continent’s food security. The portfolio includes Evergreen Herbs, the second largest producer of herbs, fruit, vegetables and mushrooms in East Africa, as well as Equatoria Teak Company (ETC), a company specialized in producing and marketing teak, an exotic wood well known for its sustainable qualities.

Proparco, through FISEA+, has allocated a EUR 490,000 Technical Assistance (TA) facility to Agris Africa Limited and the other agribusinesses of Maris in Kenya and South Sudan. The purpose of this TA facility is to support internal transformation projects to ensure the sustainable growth of the company’s affiliates in East Africa. This financing is part of France’s Choose Africa initiative implemented by AFD Group.

Overall, these activities will contribute to creating direct and indirect jobs, training for almost 1,000 farmers, and improving the inclusion of women in local agricultural value chains.  

The projects implemented through the TA facility will strengthen the activities of these two companies which are geared towards neighboring communities and improving their economic inclusion. The TA will also contribute to strengthening their gender equality strategy, expanding local distribution channels, and building their capacity to produce higher value-added goods in highly vulnerable regions, such as South Sudan.