Sowing opportunity A digital platform linking smallholder farmers to financial services is set to reach millions more in sub-Saharan Africa. A partnership between Mastercard and the pan-African Ecobank Group aims to widen the range of the Mastercard Farm Pass, leveraging the bank’s network across 33 countries and mobilising stakeholders from the agricultural supply-and-demand value chain. Farmers can use the platform to sell their produce at better prices, employ online banking services and build a financial profile that could unlock financing opportunities. The collaboration aims to mitigate challenges faced by farmers by giving them access to markets, working capital and the relevant financial tools to send and receive payment, Bizcommunity reports. Through the partnership, Ecobank will also give them access to quality inputs and real-time pricing information. 21 June 2022 Image: Gallo/Getty Images