Strategic Financing to Bolster Regional Food Supply Chains

Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited (MCB) has finalized a structured financing package for Invictus Investment Company PLC, a Dubai-headquartered agro-food enterprise, to fuel its expansion across Africa and the Middle East. The agreement, announced on Thursday, November 20, 2025, combines acquisition finance and a revolving credit facility to enhance Invictus' working capital as it enlarges its food processing, logistics, and distribution networks. This development is poised to impact food supply chains and commodity trading in East Africa, where both entities have strategic interests.

A Partnership Aimed at Food Security

The financing deepens an existing partnership between MCB, Mauritius' largest bank, and Invictus, a major player in the global commodities market. Both organizations have framed the deal as a strategic move to advance food security across the continent. Thierry Hebraud, CEO of MCB, stated that the relationship with Invictus is of "strategic value" and aligns with the bank's goal to support agro-processing players involved in food security. Hebraud emphasized MCB's commitment to developing long-term relationships with multinationals operating in Africa and structuring sophisticated financial solutions for sustainable development.

Amir Daoud Abdellatif, CEO of Invictus Investment, echoed this sentiment, noting the agreement underscores confidence in his firm's performance and strategy. "It gives us greater flexibility to optimise our capital structure and continue expanding across high-growth markets, and supports our vision to develop a fully integrated enterprise that contributes to food security in the Middle East and Africa," Abdellatif said on Thursday.

Invictus' Expanding African Footprint

Founded in 2022, Invictus Investment has rapidly grown, supplying agro-food commodities to 65 markets and trading over 30 product categories, including essential grains like wheat, corn, and barley. The company is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy to become a fully integrated agro-food platform. Recent acquisitions demonstrate this ambition, including a majority stake in Merec Industries, Mozambique's largest flour milling company, and Angolan fertilizer firm Angata. The company has also expanded its trading operations into several new African markets, including Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, signaling a clear focus on the East African region. In a June 2025 filing, Invictus announced plans to invest around AED 1 Billion (approx. KES 35.5 Billion) for expansion into North and East Africa.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

While direct investments in Kenya by Invictus were not detailed in the announcement, the company's expansion into neighboring countries and its focus on key commodities are significant for the Kenyan market. Increased investment in regional logistics, processing, and distribution can enhance the efficiency and resilience of food supply chains, potentially stabilizing commodity prices and improving food availability. East Africa faces persistent food security challenges, often exacerbated by climate shocks and political instability. Large-scale agricultural investments, when focused on producing for domestic and regional markets, can positively impact food security by increasing food availability and creating employment. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recently called for greater investment and partnerships to transform agrifood systems in Eastern Africa. MCB, which has a representative office in Nairobi, has identified East Africa as a key growth area and is actively involved in financing projects across the region. The bank's support for Invictus aligns with its broader strategy of becoming a regional hub for trade finance and supporting key sectors like agriculture. This strategic financing could therefore facilitate improved trade flows and contribute to the broader economic and food security goals of the East African Community. Further investigation is required to determine specific timelines and locations for Invictus' planned East African investments.