20 MAR 2025
Ali Dates Joins the RIF Portfolio: Scaling Impact in Jordan’s Agriculture Sector
The Refugee Investment Facility (RIF) is excited to welcome Ali Dates to its growing portfolio of impact-driven enterprises.
Ali Dates: Investing in Growth & Employment
In Jordan’s Jordan Valley, Ali Dates has built a reputation for producing premium Medjool dates while maintaining a strong social mission.
Founded in 2014 by Ali El-Kouz, Ali Dates prioritizes ethical employment, ensuring that refugees and vulnerable host community members have access to fair working conditions and sustainable livelihoods. Unlike many farms in the region, the company has achieved exceptional seasonal worker retention rates, demonstrating the value of investing in dignified employment.
However, scaling operations while maintaining strong labor standards required additional investment.
Scaling with RIF: A Murabaha-Compliant Loan for Growth
In early 2025, the Refugee Investment Facility (RIF) provided a Murabaha Shariah-compliant loan to Ali Dates, allowing the company to expand its operations into sorting services, thereby creating more jobs for refugees and host communities.
With this financing, Ali Dates will:
- Upgrade production capacity – purchasing an automated date-sorting machine to improve efficiency.
- Double seasonal employment – increasing from 25 to up to 60 workers, most of whom are refugees.
- Extend seasonal contracts – adding 3–4 more months of employment per season.
Impact Incentives: The RIF loan includes performance-based financial incentives, ensuring Ali Dates remains committed to expanding job opportunities for refugees.
Why This Matters
Ali Dates exemplifies how strategic investment can drive both business growth and social impact. With RIF’s support, the company is scaling its operations while reinforcing its role as an ethical employer in Jordan’s agricultural economy.
#ImpactInvestment #RefugeeInclusion #SustainableAgriculture #JordanValley
About the Refugee Investment Facility (RIF)
The Refugee Investment Facility (RIF) supports private sector-led solutions in forced displacement situations by providing technical assistance and long-term financing. Co-managed by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and iGravity, RIF incentivizes local businesses to create inclusive models that generate employment and improve access to essential services.
Learn more about RIF and our investees here
#ImpactInvestment #RefugeeInclusion #SustainableAgriculture #JordanValley