FPM contracted IPC to support Equity Bank Congo in establishing an infrastructure dedicated to agricultural value chain (AVC) finance. Specifically, IPC’s experts have been commissioned to implement the following tasks:

• conducting a feasibility study on agricultural value chain finance in the Ruzizi Plain Region (South Kivu Province) to research the potential for a pilot bank branch in Uvira
• jointly with the bank and FPM management, deciding on: bank branches with AVC finance, operating and marketing strategy, project implementation plan and business plan
• proposing, agreeing on and implementing an organisational structure for AVC finance in the bank
• developing agricultural finance procedures, processes, policy, products, contract templates, job descriptions, etc.
• defining a set of indicators, categories and mitigation measures to address the risks identified for MSMEs in all sectors, environmental & social risk and specific risks linked to agricultural production, and integrating them into the IPC Analytics credit risk management tool
• creating and adapting the analytical framework for MSMEs in the agricultural sector

• conducting an IT gap analysis of the MIS and credit management system in terms of suitability for AVC finance operations, and subsequently preparing recommendations for modifications and integration
• preparing the online reference system: Agricultural Encyclopedia, a directory of key information on AVCs, including information on the typical agricultural production cycle, plus information on value chain stakeholders and markets, seasonal data by region, best agricultural practices
• reviewing internal credit control documentation for applicability to AVC loans
• supporting the development of a AVC finance marketing brochure
• developing and implementing a training concept, as well as content and training materials for classroom measures aimed at business staff, credit risk staff and credit control staff serving clients active in an AVC
• supporting and coaching agricultural lending staff on the job throughout the entire credit cycle
• selecting and training internal trainers
• monitoring AVC finance operations, then reviewing and adapting procedures and processes as necessary