Robust International, Cashew, Singapore

Robust International, founded in 2006 and based in Singapore, is an agricultural commodities trader with a strong presence in Africa since 2011. The company specializes in raw cashew nuts (RCN) and sesame seeds, which account for 36% and 56% of its revenues, respectively. Robust has built a broad supplier network across Africa, sourcing 95–98% of its commodities from the continent and working closely with local aggregators and cooperatives. With major export markets in China, India, Vietnam, Turkey, the Netherlands, France, and the United States, the company is implementing a strategic shift to evolve from a traditional trader into an integrated agri-processor guided by ethical sourcing principles. As part of this transformation, Robust is investing nearly USD 50 million in local infrastructure across Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and Chad, including warehouses and processing equipment. 

To fully capitalize on these infrastructure investments and expand its inclusive sourcing model, Robust International requires additional working capital. The Common Fund for Commodities committed USD 2 million to support the company’s procurement of raw cashew nuts and sesame seeds from smallholder farmers in CFC member countries. The investment is expected to strengthen inclusive value chains by increasing the number of impacted smallholder farmers from approximately 420 to 780. It is also expected to drive employment growth across operations, with the number of full-time employees projected to rise to 470 by 2027, including an increase in female employees from 60 to 90. In parallel, up to 200 individuals are expected to receive training in commodity processing, thereby enhancing local skills and value addition. The project further aligns with Robust’s commitment to ethical trade, including the implementation of fully traceable supply chains across multiple African countries, many of which are Least Developed Countries (LDCs) facing high levels of poverty and income inequality.

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