A&O Shearman steers JICA's equity investment into Brazil's booming Agri-Fintech sector

The transaction marks one of JICA’s first start-up investments in the agricultural sector and in Latin America and supports its “Project for Improving Efficiency in Agricultural Finance,” aimed at enhancing financial access and operational efficiency in Brazil’s agricultural sector.

Agrolend’s innovative digital platform provides direct loans to over 3,700 farmers, primarily in the soybean and corn sectors. By streamlining the traditional supply chain and offering advance payments to distributors, the platform enhances financial inclusion and operational efficiency across Brazil’s agricultural sector.

The investment is expected to significantly improve productivity and financial inclusion within Brazil’s agricultural sector, supporting sustainable growth and resilience. It aligns with the United Nations sustainable development goals, including zero hunger, industry innovation, and climate action.

Hitomi Komachi, A&O Shearman partner, commented: “This transaction marks a significant milestone for JICA, supporting Agrolend’s mission to drive innovation in agricultural finance in Brazil. The deal reflects JICA’s growing emphasis on private sector partnerships to advance sustainable development in emerging markets, and in the fight against food security globally. The deal required thoughtful coordination with early investors to align on key terms, demonstrating the complexity and strategic importance of the investment.”

The cross-border team was led by Tokyo partners Hitomi Komachi and Karl Pires, supported by Tokyo associate Haruka Morimoto, Singapore partner Sheila Ahuja KC and associate Timothy Tai, and São Paulo partner Roberta Cherman with associates Hugo Casella and Marina Mendes Correa. Their combined expertise ensured seamless execution across jurisdictions.