Dar es Salaam, 23 October 2025 – The Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) Trust have signed an agreement to implement the Soybean Value Chain Support Project, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Tanzania’s agricultural sector through innovation, inclusive finance, and climate-smart solutions.

The signing ceremony underscores the long-standing partnership between Norway and Tanzania and reaffirms Norway’s commitment to supporting sustainable development and food security in the country. Norway is providing a USD 2.4 million grant, co-financed by PASS Trust through its credit guarantee mechanism, representing a strategic investment in Tanzania’s agricultural future.

Soybeans are increasingly recognized as a high-potential crop for Tanzania, providing both nutritional value and industrial opportunities. Through this project, more than 12,500 farmers, at least 40 percent of them women and youth, will gain access to improved seeds, mechanization, market linkages, and finance.

By 2028, the initiative is expected to triple soybean yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand local processing capacity, generating tangible economic and social benefits for rural communities.

A cornerstone of the project is the Commodity Compact Financing Model, an innovative mechanism pioneered by PASS Trust that integrates finance, technology, and market linkages into one ecosystem. This model reduces risk for investors while ensuring that smallholder farmers are fully integrated into structured value chains.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr. Kjetil Schie, Head of Cooperation at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, highlighted the significance of the agreement:

“This partnership between Norway and PASS Trust reflects our shared ambition to make agriculture a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth. By strengthening nutrition outcomes through soybean production and empowering women and youth to participate actively across the value chain, we help build resilient communities and lasting impact.”

He also emphasized that the project aligns with Norway’s global development priorities, including climate-smart agriculture, digital inclusion, and gender equality, and encouraged other stakeholders to consider scaling up the Commodity Compact model to strengthen value chains and promote trade and investment collaboration.

Adding his remarks, PASS Trust Chief Executive Officer Mr. Yohane Kaduma said;

“Today’s signing represents more than a funding agreement; it symbolizes a shared vision for inclusive, climate-resilient, and market-driven agricultural growth. Through this partnership, we aim to transform Tanzania’s soybean sector into a driver of food security, import substitution, job creation, and sustainable rural development. With the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, PASS Trust will leverage the Commodity Compact Financing Model to de-risk investments, empower women and youth, and create lasting economic opportunities for farmers.”

The Soybean Value Chain Support Project marks another milestone in the partnership between Norway and Tanzania, demonstrating how collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector can accelerate agricultural transformation. Together, Norway and PASS Trust aim to build a more productive, inclusive, and climate-resilient soybean sector contributing to improved livelihoods and food security for Tanzanian communities.

About Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) Trust

PASS is a non-profit organization supporting agribusiness development in Tanzania through innovative financial mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives that empower smallholder farmers and agripreneurs. By offering credit guarantees and business development services, PASS facilitates access to finance and promotes inclusive growth across agricultural value chains.

About Norway’s Support to Agriculture in Tanzania

Norway, through its Embassy in Dar es Salaam, partners with the Government of Tanzania, development institutions, and the private sector to promote climate-smart, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture. Norway’s support focuses on value chain development, innovation, financial inclusion, and women and youth empowerment, helping strengthen food security, rural livelihoods, and resilience across Tanzania