CDP and MCC alongside southern Italian agrifood businesses with an investment in the Azimut fund

CDP and MCC alongside southern Italian agrifood businesses with an investment in the Azimut fund

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Mediocredito Centrale participated in the initial funding phase of the transaction with a total of 70 million euro, playing the role of anchor investors in the project

Supporting the growth plans of southern Italian businesses in the agrifood industry, one of the most strategic sectors for the national economy. This is the aim of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Mediocredito Centrale’s investment in the Azimut Agrifood Mezzogiorno direct lending fund1 launched by the Azimut Group. The initial closing of the transaction, which raised 70 million euro, was undersigned by CDP and MCC who both acted as anchor investors.

The project aims to help satisfy the mid- to long-term capital needs of agrifood businesses and related supply chains, supporting their growth in all phases of the life cycle. To do so, the Fund will finance the investment projects of SMEs, Mid-Cap and Large-Cap businesses headquartered in the regions of southern Italy through debt instruments (bonds, minibonds and direct loans), seeking to incentivise the development of the territory and generate positive impacts on the community and the growth of the local economy.

It is estimated that over 220 southern Italian businesses active in the sector currently meet the ideal target requirements of the Fund. This number increases significantly if the scope is expanded to the entire supply chain, for example also including producers of fertilisers, animal feed and equipment connected with the transformation of agrifood products.

The Fund also stands out for its close focus on businesses committed to achieving tangible objectives associated with environmental sustainability and social values, in line with Article 8 of the SFDR Regulation, and for its promotion of ESG values.

Andrea Nuzzi, Chief Business Officer of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, commented: “With this new project, CDP provides southern Italian businesses operating in the agrifood sector with access to another important alternative finance instrument to complement the bank lending channel. Strengthening the competitiveness of one of the most strategic supply chains for the Italian economy and the increasingly strong focus on SMEs are key elements of our 2025-2027 strategic plan. Thanks to this transaction, we will be able to support investments that drive sustainable development processes, employment and growth in the regions.”
 
Giorgio Medda, CEO of the Azimut Group, remarked: “We have consolidated our commitment to supporting the Italian economy through a private debt fund focused on the agrifood chain, strategic engine of growth and custodian of the unique values that set “Made in Italy” apart in the world. With the participation of two of Italy’s biggest institutional investors, the Fund aims to combine financial returns with regional development, promoting human capital and business merit to trigger a virtuous circle of sustainable growth and new employment.”
 
“The initiative with Azimut and CDP is consistent with our mission of contributing to the growth and development of our SMEs, particularly those in the southern Italian regions, to whom we dedicate the majority of our activities. As well as supporting a particularly strategic sector for the Made in Italy brand, we also have the chance to promote and facilitate the development of projects focused on sustainability and innovation”, explained Mario Lio, Chief Lending Officer of Mediocredito Centrale.

 

1 enables businesses to acquire economic resources directly, avoiding intermediaries.