MDBs and IFIs commit to strengthening global fertilizer supply chains

Six multilateral development banks and international financial institutions have issued a joint statement affirming their readiness to develop a coordinated roadmap on strengthening fertilizer supply chains, according to a media statement released on 31 August 2026 by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The statement was signed by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Inter-American Development Bank Group (IADB), IFAD, and the World Bank Group. The signatories recognize food security as one of the world’s most pressing development challenges. Repeated shocks have exposed structural vulnerabilities in global fertilizer supply chains, disproportionately affecting smallholder farmers and low-income households. The institutions aim to work with G20 members, development partners, and the private sector on a shared agenda.

In response to the 2022 global food crisis, MDBs and other international financial institutions implemented the IFI Action Plan to Address Food Insecurity. That plan expanded support for agriculture, food trade, social protection, and resilient food systems. More recently, G20 discussions have reinforced the importance of resilient food and fertilizer value chains. The proposed G7+ Action Plan on Fertilizer Shocks and Food Systems Resilience highlights the need for stronger monitoring, early warning, coordination, and timely financing. These initiatives provide a foundation for deepening collaboration on fertilizer resilience.

The MDBs stated that increased investment in global fertilizer supply chains can support economic corridors that reduce vulnerability to future shocks. Strengthening long-term food security also requires improving fertilizer-use efficiency, diversifying nutrient sources, restoring healthy soils and natural capital, and investing in resilient food systems. The signatories are positioned to support this through coordinated financing, policy dialogue, knowledge and innovation, and private sector engagement. The roadmap will complement ongoing G20 and G7 efforts. It will align MDB financing, analytical work, policy dialogue, and technical assistance around a shared agenda.

The agenda aims to support countries in strengthening supply chain resilience through increased financing for fertilizer production, upstream production, processing, blending, storage, transportation, and other critical infrastructure. It will promote efficient fertilizer use through soil diagnostics, fertilizer recommendation, precision nutrient management, digital agriculture, farmer advisory services, research, and innovation. It also seeks to strengthen food systems through improved soil and water management, nature-based solutions, resilient value chains, innovative technologies, and private sector investment. The MDBs will continue supporting food security for vulnerable households while improving access to finance, inputs, logistics, and markets for smallholder farmers and agrifood enterprises. Deeper collaboration with governments, international organizations, research institutions, civil society, and the private sector is also planned.

The MDBs affirmed their readiness to develop the coordinated roadmap in line with their financing and technical assistance capacities. Their shared agenda includes economic corridors that are less vulnerable to future shocks. The initiative builds on existing collective action established since the 2022 global food crisis. It emphasizes sharing data and knowledge while strengthening evidence-based policy dialogue and coordinated operational support. The statement positions the signatories to advance long-term food systems transformation alongside G20 and G7 efforts.