PIHG Partners For Africa Projects
PIHG has signed an agreement with Agro Enterprise Development Company (“AEDC”) to develop sustainable projects in Africa.
The PIHG and AEDC teams will use their networks and experience to develop agricultural and fintech projects, agro-industrial parks and sustainable smart communities, and related infrastructure and services. The overall aim of the partnership is to develop sustainable projects that add value, foster agricultural innovation, economic transformation, skills and wealth enhancement in the communities they are based, reduce environmental destruction and food insecurity and poverty, as well as providing attractive returns to investors and funders.
Nadia Zeine, a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience as an agri-entrepreneur, is the Founder CEO of AEDC. She has expertise in agri-markets, project development, economic revitalization, branding and marketing. She will be primarily in charge of identifying and managing the projects on the ground in Africa, and coordinating with international industry partners.
PIHG will focus on structuring the project and financing, including carbon credits, tokenization and more traditional sources of funding, and identifying and working with international partners.
Work has already begun on the first project, development of a US$500 million commercial grain project in Ghana. The project involves producing, processing and distributing high-quality maize and soybeans to industrial grain users, using advanced processes and technologies to increase yields, quality and profits. The project will create thousands of jobs, a significant percentage of which will be for women; will increase wealth and skills in the local community; and reduce Ghana’s need to import food, improving its foreign exchange position and reducing food security issues.
Simon Littlewood, PIHG President, commented “The thought behind our partnership is simple. Several African countries are highly dependent on food imports, with Ukraine and Russia historically being major suppliers. Climate change and geopolitical related issues have led to rising prices and shortages in many countries. Instead of shipping increasingly scarce food supplies round the world, at costs that put strains on countries and families, why not grow more food locally, creating jobs, wealth, reducing food insecurity and the carbon footprint?”
“There are lots of reasons why not – finance, infrastructure, skills, access to technologies and markets, currencies, government, vision. It takes multiple partners with the right skills, contacts, funding and vision to come together to make it happen. That’s the journey we’re starting on today.”
Nadia Zeine AEDC commented: “We are thrilled about our partnership with PIHG. This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, scalability, and creating a fairer world. We share a passion for positive change and a common vision of promoting social and economic development in Africa, through projects that are bankable, sustainable and benefit all stakeholders.”
“I’m delighted that our first project is a project I’ve already put considerable work and passion into – using advanced sustainable farming techniques to grow more food in my native Ghana."
“Africa's vast potential has been a subject of numerous studies, economic analyses, and government programs, often epitomized by the term "Africa Rising." Africa has 1.4 billion people, around 17% of the world's population, but receives less than 1% of venture capital investments. It has the fastest growing and youngest population of any major geographical area, and an estimated two thirds of remaining unused arable land, as well as significant natural resources and minerals. That land needs to be sustainably developed - to feed and employ the growing local population, and be sold internationally to generate wealth for Africa, and help solve the world’s food crisis. Our combined team has the passion and the skills to make this happen.”
Please see the attached for the full news release, including the Forward-Looking Statement notice, which is an integral part of, and should be read in conjunction with, this news release.