CFC Welcomes High-Level Italian Delegation to Its Headquarters
Amsterdam, 20 February 2026 – Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), welcomed a high-level delegation from Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to the CFC headquarters in Amsterdam for discussions on sustainable development finance and areas of strategic alignment.
The Italian delegation was led by Mr. Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA), and H.E. Augusto Massari, Ambassador of Italy to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, accompanied by Ms. Alessandra Di Pippo, Counsellor, and Mr. Jacopo Gattanella, First Secretary at the Embassy of Italy.
From the CFC, Ambassador Belal was joined by Mr. Hector Besong, Portfolio and Risk Manager; Mr. Matteo Contini, Project Assistant; and Ms. Zahra Kahla, Research and Data Assistant.
Discussions focused on the growing demand for sustainable development finance and the persistent financing gaps affecting commodity-dependent economies, particularly across Africa. The CFC team presented its core loan portfolio, the UK FCDO–CFC Trust Fund, and the ACT Fund blended finance structure, highlighting its integrated financing model combining investment and technical assistance to strengthen SMEs and value chains.
Emphasis was placed on the CFC’s operational focus on Africa, where development needs remain significant. With experience across diversified commodity sectors, the CFC has supported value chains ranging from coffee in Uganda and cocoa in Ghana to rice production in Senegal. These examples demonstrate the institution’s ability to structure tailored financing solutions adapted to diverse commodity ecosystems and market contexts.
The CFC also highlighted its graduation pathway approach, designed to respond to the evolving financing needs of SMEs at different stages of growth. By combining direct investment with in-house managed technical assistance, the CFC supports enterprises in strengthening governance, operational performance, and market access, ensuring sustainable impact aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Particular attention was given to Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, which advances a renewed model of partnership across priority sectors including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and water. Areas of complementarity were identified in inclusive coffee and cocoa value chains, artisanal small-scale mining for critical raw materials, and broader agricultural development initiatives.
Director General Stefano Gatti stated:
“Through the Mattei Plan, Italy seeks to build partnerships with Africa grounded in shared prosperity and sustainable growth. Strengthening agricultural and commodity value chains is central to reducing poverty and promoting local value addition. Empowering smallholders and SMEs is essential to achieving lasting impact.”
Sheikh Mohammed Belal welcomed Italy’s engagement, noting:
“We highly appreciate Italy’s leadership, including within the G7, in drawing attention to smallholders in coffee, cocoa, and other key sectors. The Mattei Plan aligns closely with the CFC’s blended finance model, and we see strong potential to work together in strengthening inclusive and resilient commodity value chains.”
The meeting was held in a constructive and forward-looking spirit. An invitation was extended to the CFC to visit Rome for follow-up discussions aimed at deepening engagement and exploring broader avenues of collaboration between Italy and the CFC. Ambassador Massari, who was also in attendance, expressed appreciation for the CFC’s impactful work in commodity-dependent economies and assured his support in advancing the dialogue to the next level.
About CFC:
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is an intergovernmental financial institution that provides financing for projects in commodity value chains in its Member States, with a focus on sustainable development and poverty reduction.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]