Corus International

08/30/2025

Will you be at AFS Forum 2025? 🌍🌱

Corus and our lead agricultural development organization Lutheran World Relief will be too!

Be sure to meet our participating staff:

⭐ Nene Ahuah Akwetey-Kodjoe, Chief of Party, USDA Food for Progress TRACE Project in Nigeria
⭐ Boubacar Sow, Chief of Party, USDA Food for Progress PROFIT Project in Togo
⭐ Moses Kabogo, Country Director, Tanzania
⭐ Katerina Ntep, Senior Managing Director, Office of the COO
⭐ Holli Jordan, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships
⭐ Paul Macek, Managing Director and Head of Global Practice for Rural Economies and Agricultural Livelihoods

And learn about how we:

➡️ Empower entrepreneurs, women, and youth through innovative food system solutions.
➡️ Deliver value chain insights and strategies for coffee, cocoa, maize, rice, and other crops, alongside tailored support in regenerative agriculture and market access.
➡️ Implement our advanced MEL services to drive donor impact, learning, and market intelligence.

💡Read more: https://corusinternational.org/rural-economic-development

08/26/2025

Live from in Ecuador!

Sustainable cocoa requires collaboration, and we’re thrilled to join farmers, government, exporters and international partners at the country’s premier cocoa trade fair to strengthen the sector. 🍫

From improving quality to supporting a national sustainability platform, our team is sharing how Corus organization Lutheran World Relief is helping build stronger cocoa value chains for the future.

🌱 Learn more: https://bit.ly/3VhQIS2

Are you at Chokao 2025? Be sure to meet Galo Quizanga Zambrano, our Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Carolina Aguilar Duarte, our Sr. Director for Specialty Crops.

08/22/2025

📣ATTN fresh and processed food companies in Ecuador 🇪🇨

Corus organization Lutheran World Relief and Federación Ecuatoriana de Exportadores - FEDEXPOR have an ESG/ social impact opportunity for you!

Join SUMARSE 2.0 - hire the quality talent you need while making a lasting impact in people's lives. Learn more below.

🎯 ¡Empresas del sector de alimentos frescos y procesados!

Te invitamos a formar parte de SUMARSE 2.0, un proyecto que impulsa la inclusión y genera nuevas oportunidades para el crecimiento de tu empresa. 🚀

👉 Inscríbete hasta el 5 de septiembre y sé parte de esta iniciativa que abre caminos para la innovación y la competitividad.

📌 Más información: Javier Delgado
📧 jdelgado@fedexpor.com
| 📱 +593 99 834 0239

08/04/2025

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) will only be eliminated if health services reach people in the most remote, hard-to-access places.

In South Sudan, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains a deadly threat, with fatality rates over 95% when untreated. Many affected communities, like the Falata, are nomadic, making consistent access to care a challenge.

That’s why Corus organization IMA World Health is working to expand VL prevention, testing and treatment — even in areas traditional health systems struggle to reach.

When our team visited a Falata cattle camp in Upper Nile State, they adjusted their approach to follow the community as they moved — providing VL screening, malaria treatment and health education along the way.

It’s part of our broader effort to strengthen health systems, improve early detection, and bring critical NTD services to the people who need them most.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/45Qw1mL

📷: The IMA World Health team gathers residents for a community session in Maban County, South Sudan, about VL prevention.

07/30/2025

✨ This week, Corus had the honor of hosting Benin’s ambassador to the U.S., Her Excellency, Ambassador Agniola Ahouanmenou, at our Washington, D.C. headquarters. ✨

Ambassador Ahouanmenou joined Corus COO Mahmoud Bah, Managing Director for Rural Economies and Agricultural Livelihoods Paul Macek, and Chief of Staff Simon Lewis for an engaging discussion on Benin’s development strategy and achievements.

With her extensive experience in the private sector, her passion for youth and economic empowerment, and her clear vision and alignment around Benin’s economic and inclusive growth, we have no doubt she will strengthen and expand the win-win partnerships in U.S.-Benin relations.

We’re excited to continue this dialogue and explore opportunities for further collaboration together.

07/03/2025

Will you be at the Asian Development Bank’s INSPIRE Health Forum July 7-11? We will! ✨

Stop by Corus’ booth to meet us and learn how we’re making health systems more accessible and resilient with mobile clinics and digital health tools. 🚑📱

Can’t make it to Manila? Don’t worry – here's why we think mobile and digital solutions are key to health systems strengthening: https://bit.ly/4exGaHo

07/03/2025

Last week, Corus COO Mahmoud Bah had the honor of speaking at Corporate Council on Africa’s U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, during the “Supercharging Public-Private Philanthropic Partners” session.

His message: Africa’s future development lies in country ownership, strategic partnerships, and empowering its greatest asset—its young people.

At Corus, we’re proud to stand alongside governments, communities, and private partners to build resilient economies, uplift youth, and create lasting impact. Together, we’re charting a new path for the future of U.S.-Africa business and development.

See how: https://bit.ly/45MusGs

07/01/2025

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) — also known as kala-azar — is one of the deadliest neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the world. Spread by sand flies 🦟, VL weakens the immune system and, without treatment, is almost always fatal.

In South Sudan, years of conflict have made access to health care a challenge. But targeted, community-driven solutions are making a difference.

Through Corus organization IMA World Health, we are working to strengthen health systems and expand access to VL prevention and care in South Sudan:

✅ 25 health facilities now equipped to diagnose and treat VL
✅ 75 community health volunteers trained to support early detection and referrals
✅ Ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Health and global partners

These efforts are delivering lifesaving NTD care to thousands of people in hard-to-reach areas — advancing health access and ensuring no one is left behind. 🌍

Learn more: https://bit.ly/45Qw1mL

📷: Health workers from IMA World Health lead a community session on preventing and identifying VL in South Sudan.

06/30/2025

✨Meet Endah Yuliawati.✨

She is one of over 600,000 women The Starbucks Foundation’s Origin Grants initiative has empowered through training programs implemented in partnership with organizations like Mercy Corps and Corus' Lutheran World Relief.

Through financial literacy and business training, Endah transitioned from traditional farming to becoming a community leader and entrepreneur. She's not only created new opportunities for herself but is also paving the way for women in coffee-growing communities to thrive.

This is just one success story in Starbucks' mission to uplift 1 million women and girls in coffee-, tea-, and cocoa-growing regions by 2030.

➡️ Read more about Endah's inspiring journey and the impact of these partnerships here: https://bit.ly/4lDQVdD

Ms Endah Yuliawati is one of more than 600,000 women who have been empowered by training programmes supported by The Starbucks Foundation.

06/18/2025

🌱 Growing hope in Togo: A success story from the "Espoir" Cooperative

Corus COO Mahmoud Bah recently visited the “Espoir” Cooperative in Togo, a name that fittingly translates to "hope." With Corus organization Lutheran World Relief and its partners, local producers are gaining access to innovative techniques that are already making a difference.

Here are the results they’re celebrating:

🌶️ Improved agronomic practices are transforming okra, cassava, and chili pepper production.

🌟 A 90% success rate for okra planting, compared to just 60% with older methods.

📈 Producers are energized to scale their businesses by connecting to local and regional markets.

The early results are promising, and the excitement from members is contagious. 🎉

📷 Check out this photo captured by Mahmoud and the team during their trip, showcasing how Espoir members display their marketable goods. Featured are vibrant chili peppers (left), fresh okra (back), and an array of cassava products (front and right).

06/17/2025

🌱✨ What do you get when you mix a craft chocolate company with an INGO? A recipe for cocoa farmer success!

Corus organization Lutheran World Relief and Seattle-based chocolate brand JCOCO are joining forces to bring innovation and opportunity to farmers in one of the poorest regions of Peru—the VRAEM. The collaboration will promote regenerative agriculture, boost cacao production, and empower women leaders and young entrepreneurs. And of course, produce some exceptionally fine — and life changing — chocolate! 🍫💪

Read more about how this private-public partnership will make a difference in the VRAEM: https://bit.ly/4kN33sG

06/16/2025

Will you be at Corporate Council on Africa's U.S.-Africa Business Summit? Let us know!

And don't miss Corus COO Mahmoud Bah speak on "Supercharging Public-Private Philanthropic Partnership" on Tuesday, June 24.

Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is co-hosting with the government of the Republic of Angola the 2025 U.S.- Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola on June 22-25. CCA’s 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit will bring together more than 1,500 delegates including African presidents, heads of government and ministers, senior U.S. Government officials and leaders from U.S. and African companies. The theme for this year’s Summit is “Pathways to Prosperity: A Shared Vision for U.S.-Africa Partnership.” The 2025 Summit sessions will cover the full range of opportunities to expand U.S.-Africa trade, investment and business relations.

✅ To register and learn more, visit the forum website: www.usafricabizsummit.com