African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has approved a $20.8m financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of $7.48m going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling $13.25m to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” she added.