CFC and Angola Discuss Shared Priorities for Commodity Transformation
The Hague, 8 September 2026 - H.E. Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ms. Lizeth N. Satumbo Pena, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for discussions on sustainable commodity development, SME financing, agricultural transformation and opportunities to strengthen inclusive value chains in Angola.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on Angola’s commodity sectors, the financing challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or ‘’missing middle’’, and the importance of creating greater opportunities for local businesses and communities to participate in and benefit from commodity-driven economic growth.
The discussions highlighted Angola’s important role in advancing Africa’s economic transformation and the need to ensure that financing reaches businesses and communities that are often underserved by conventional financial institutions. Ambassador Belal noted that there remains a significant financing gap for SMEs, particularly those operating in commodity value chains, and that targeted CFC financing can help bridge this gap by supporting businesses with viable opportunities to grow, create jobs and generate greater local economic value.
“Angola has an important leadership role to play in Africa’s commodity transformation. The opportunity is not simply to produce and export commodities, but to build stronger businesses around them, create jobs and ensure that more value stays within local communities. This is precisely where the CFC can contribute – by helping to finance the enterprises and value chains that are often too small or too early for conventional financing but have enormous potential for development.”— H.E. Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director, CFC
Ambassador Belal also emphasized the potential to expand the CFC’s engagement in Angola, including through additional projects supporting agricultural value chains, SMEs and local value addition. He noted that strengthening the pipeline of projects in Angola would provide an opportunity to translate the country's commodity potential into concrete opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and communities.
The discussion also reflected on the importance of ensuring that commodity development ultimately improves people's everyday lives – by creating employment, increasing household incomes and strengthening access to food and economic opportunities.
“At the end of the day, development has to create real opportunities for people. It means jobs, income, food on the table and stronger communities. By investing in the businesses and value chains that connect farmers to markets, we can help ensure that Angola’s commodity potential translates into tangible benefits for local communities.”— H.E. Ms. Lizeth N. Satumbo Pena, Ambassador of Angola
Ambassador Belal shared the example of the CFC’s Humanizing the Value Chains (HVC) initiative and highlighted the experience of the JKCC coffee cooperatives, where stronger market linkages and investment have helped cooperatives source coffee from a growing number of farmers and substantially increase farmers’ incomes. The experience illustrates how unlocking finance and strengthening direct links between farmers and markets can enable producers to capture a greater share of the value generated by their commodities.
The exchange also highlighted the broader role of the CFC in giving a stronger voice to commodity-producing countries in international discussions on development and finance, including through its engagement in New York and Geneva. Ambassador Belal noted that the CFC is growing and strengthening its role as a practical financing partner for commodity-dependent developing countries, with a focus on turning international commitments on commodity transformation into concrete investments on the ground.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing appreciation for the constructive exchange and welcoming continued engagement to identify opportunities for increased CFC investment and technical assistance in Angola. Both sides recognized the importance of strengthening SMEs, supporting value addition, creating jobs and ensuring that commodity development generates greater and more inclusive opportunities for local communities.
All News
About the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
The CFC is an UN-affiliated international financial institution based in Amsterdam, working in over 100 countries to support inclusive economic development through impact investing in commodity value chains.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]