Pangea Africa Black Star Africa Acquire Majority Stake in Eden Tree

• Pangea Africa Limited and Black Star Africa Limited have acquired a majority stake in Eden Tree Limited.
• The acquisition marks an exit for international impact investment firm Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), which has held shares in Eden Tree since 2015.
• Eden Tree's new investors plan to expand the company's operations across West Africa, positioning it as a major supplier of fresh and processed food in the region.

Building Eden Tree over nearly three decades has been the privilege of my life,

Ghanaian agribusiness Eden Tree Limited has entered a new phase with the acquisition of a majority stake by Pangea Africa Limited and Black Star Africa Limited. This strategic move is expected to bring significant changes in leadership, supply chain management, and expansion plans for the company. The transaction marks an exit for international impact investment firm Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), which has held shares in Eden Tree since 2015. With this new partnership, Eden Tree's operations are set to expand across West Africa, positioning it as a major supplier of fresh and processed food in the region.

The acquisition brings about changes in leadership, with Grant Webber taking over as Chief Executive Officer from Catherine Krobo Edusei. Mrs. Edusei, who founded Eden Tree in 1997 and has been at the helm for nearly three decades, will step away from day-to-day leadership but remain with the company as a director and Founder Emeritus. Tracy Boswell Scicchitano, a Pangea Africa Director, will join Eden Tree's Board of Directors, ensuring continuity in women's leadership while introducing new strategic direction.

The new investors have outlined plans to increase production, strengthen the company's supply chain, and position Eden Tree as a major supplier of fresh and processed food in West Africa. To achieve this, they will focus on reducing food losses between farms and consumers by installing solar-powered cooling facilities close to farming communities, expanding climate-smart drip irrigation, and improving governance through active engagement with farmers, banks, and other businesses within the food supply chain.

Lawyers advising clients on investments or partnerships in the West African food industry should be aware of the potential for changes in leadership and supply chain management, which may impact contractual obligations and compliance with regional regulations.

Source: Original reporting via MyJoyOnline Ghana