Middle East/Africa

Partner Marc Stoneham says Ivory Coast will be the first focus of a growth effort that will initially target regional expansion before pushing into the rest of the continent.

Senior managing director Matt Jansen discusses the ongoing shift from globalization to nationalism and how political conditions have shaped his career in global ag markets.

The firm intends to draw on its inaugural fund’s ‘very successful' investment in Farefield Dairy as it seeks to support Glacier Products’ expansion across Africa.

Managing director Jim Heyes said the firm 'did pretty well' on the purchase price agreed on with Nile Fibreboard but declined to disclose the monetary value.

Among the businesses to receive backing is Nanoracks, a frequent user of the International Space Station that is building a research center in the emirate to explore harsh climate food production.

The food production technique comfortably counts pensions and sovereign wealth funds among its backers, while government and multinational interest undoubtedly lends credibility.

Criterion Africa Partners’ managing director George McPherson says Fund I has ‘underperformed’ so far and presented the firm with several learning outcomes that will be put into practice in Fund II.

The firm says it signed the pledge because action is needed through policy and business to better mitigate global biodiversity risks.

The food-focused subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s $300bn Public Investment Fund increased its 20% stake in Minerva Foods it purchased in 2016 to 33.8%.

ADQ is also among several potential investors into the Louis Dreyfus Company and acquired a 50% stake in multinational agribusiness Al Dahra Holding Company in May.