30-day notice: Plantation Industries and DFCD

This project snapshot outlines how Plantation Industries Limited (PIL), a leading Nigerian cocoa processor, is strengthening its supply chain through climate resilient, socially responsible, and fully traceable production systems. With operations across four major cocoa producing states, PIL works with 12,000 smallholder farmers and plans to expand its network to 32,000 farmers by 2027. The document presents the challenges facing the Nigerian cocoa sector, including climate stress, deforestation risks, ageing trees, limited access to improved planting materials, and increasing market requirements such as full traceability and compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation.

Thanks to DFCD Origination Facility support, PIL will receive a €350,000 grant, complemented by €150,000 in-company contributions. These funds will be used to de‑risk the project and prepare it for a €13.2 million FMO working capital loan. The grant will support five key milestones: upgrade digital traceability with polygon mapping and blockchain tools; strengthen cooperative governance and transparency; build extension staff capacity; establish demonstration plots and improved nurseries; and enhance Environmental & Social Management Systems (ESMS) and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) frameworks.

The snapshot explains how DFCD Origination Facility support will help de risk PIL’s expansion by upgrading digital traceability, strengthening cooperative governance, enhancing extension services, establishing climate smart demonstration plots, and improving environmental, social, and gender inclusion systems. The project aims to enable PIL to secure a major FMO loan while ensuring long term sustainability, stronger farmer livelihoods, and improved environmental outcomes.

This resource is intended for donors, investors, sustainability professionals, and practitioners in agriculture and climate finance.