responsAbility finances Robust International to strengthen climate-smart agricultural supply chains in emerging markets

Zurich/Singapore, 15 June 2026 – responsAbility has provided working capital financing to Robust International Pte Ltd, a Singapore-headquartered agribusiness with operations across Africa and Asia. The financing will provide working capital to support the company’s sourcing, logistics and processing activities and contribute to more resilient, efficient and climate-smart agricultural supply chains, with a particular focus on cashew, sesame and soybean.

Founded in 2006, Robust International has developed from a trading company into a vertically integrated agribusiness with sourcing, logistics and processing activities across key agricultural markets. The company focuses on agricultural commodities including sesame, cashew, soybean, dried ginger and fertilisers, with sesame, cashew and soybean accounting for the majority of revenue.

Strengthening sourcing, logistics and processing

Robust International sources from multiple African markets and has been expanding its direct engagement with farmers, farmer groups and aggregators. The company’s model combines procurement teams close to production areas, quality control at aggregation points, warehousing capacity, logistics planning and processing infrastructure. This integrated approach improves crop quality, reduces post-harvest losses and strengthens the reliability of agricultural supply chains.

Contributing to climate-smart agriculture

The financing supports Robust International’s ability to source from smallholder-linked supply chains and to further improve handling, storage and logistics efficiency. This is expected to reduce post-harvest losses and associated greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, including minimum tillage, intercropping and the use of organic manure.

“Efficient agricultural value chains are critical for food security and climate resilience in emerging markets,” said Neha Baid, Team Head of Sustainable Food Debt APAC at responsAbility. “Robust International has built a strong presence in Africa, combining close relationships with farmers and aggregation centres with the logistics and processing infrastructure required to serve global markets reliably. This is an area where private sector capital can significantly improve the functioning of real economy supply chains.”

Scaling impact in agricultural value chains

The investment reflects responsAbility’s focus on scaling impact in agricultural value chains by supporting companies that link production, logistics, processing and market access. This approach aims to strengthen the efficiency and sustainability of food systems while providing capital to businesses serving growing regional and global demand.

“Working capital is a critical enabler in agricultural value chains,” said Vishanth Narayan, Executive Director at Robust International. “This financing supports our ability to source responsibly, manage logistics efficiently and continue building long-term relationships across our supply chains.”

About the Climate-Smart Agriculture & Food Systems strategy

The investment was made through responsAbility’s Climate-Smart Agriculture & Food Systems strategy, launched in 2022 to support companies contributing to climate-smart agriculture and more sustainable food systems in emerging markets. The strategy is structured around three core pillars: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable production and consumption.

Beyond financing, the strategy provides portfolio companies with targeted engagement and technical assistance, including climate risk assessments, impact measurement, environmental and social action plans and support for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. As of year-end 2025, the strategy had reached the end of its investment phase, with committed assets of USD 106 million and 17 portfolio companies.

About Robust International

Robust International Pte Ltd is a Singapore-headquartered agribusiness founded in 2006. The company operates across agricultural sourcing, trading, logistics and processing, with a focus on commodities including sesame, cashew and soybean. Robust International has a strategic footprint across Africa and Asia and works with suppliers, aggregators and farmers across key agricultural markets.