On January 30, 2025, FOMI received visitors from CRDB Bank. These visitors were welcomed by FOMI’s Managing Director, Mr. Simon Ntirampeba. In his welcoming remarks, the Managing Director noted that FOMI has been operating for almost five years and emphasized the importance of investing in this sector. He pointed out the gap between population growth and production growth in sub-Saharan countries, where yields are currently only one and a half tons per hectare. He stated that if no action is taken, there will be a production problem by 2050 because many sub-Saharan countries lack access to fertilizers. Managing Director Simon Ntirampeba noted that since 2014, Burundi had been importing 15,000 tons of fertilizer annually, and this amount has increased to 150,000 tons per year within the last ten years. He explained that this is why FOMI has taken on the responsibility of providing the population with sufficient quantities of quality fertilizers. He stated that the fertilizers used have both positive and negative effects. The Managing Director indicated that the marketing of organo-mineral fertilizers takes into account soil preservation and environmental protection, and that to succeed, they need the support of banking institutions. CRDB Bank is the primary supporter of FOMI, both in Burundi and in Tanzania. The Managing Director expressed his satisfaction with their visit and hopes that the files already submitted to CRDB will be processed quickly. In his address, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of CRDB, Mr. Hosea Ezekiel Kashimba, congratulated the Director General of FOMI and his team for finding a sustainable solution to soil degradation in many African countries. He noted that this is why FOMI is being approached by countries such as Zambia, Uganda, and Malawi to enter into contracts. According to him, it is crucial to support FOMI and that mutual support is essential for shared development. He added that if they maintain this spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, it will be a very positive outcome. He went on to say that it would be unwise to immediately launch projects in Uganda, but rather to strengthen the initial investment before expanding to Uganda, Malawi, and other countries. If we succeed in quickly making the most of the funds already received, he said, it will encourage the bank and lead us to further support your new projects. CRDB Bank has a significant stake in FOMI, which is why it’s crucial that we work together for the benefit of all of us. In closing, he reiterated that he and his colleagues are delighted with FOMI’s activities and asked FOMI to continue its support. CRDB will continue to back FOMI’s planned projects, as well as its ongoing initiatives.
