Connecting Agrifood Buyers, Producers and Value Chain Enablers

While a wide range of crops can be produced across Africa, a range of different solutions are required in order to overcome the varying bottlenecks that limit the agricultural potential of the different countries and regions on the continent.

“How do we then unlock the potential of the African continent to produce the quantity and quality of food it is capable of? This will be a key focus point at the upcoming African Agri Council NPC (AAC) Market Access Africa conference taking place in Durban” said Ben Leyka, Chief Executive Officer of the African Agri Council NPC (AAC).

We need new measures to drive local production, infrastructure development, intra-Africa trade as well as international trade in food and agriculture said Mr Leyka.

Cognisant of opportunities in agribusiness and agro-industry, African governments and international organisations have partnered to achieve greater agricultural industrialisation. We cannot however leave the private sector out of these discussions if we are to make real progress. The International Trade Centre export potential database highlights processed cocoa products, shea nuts, cashew nuts, fertilisers and fruit products as having some of the highest untapped export potential in Africa. What is the buyers’ current appetite for these high-value, underexploited crops and products asked Manuel Singano, Stakeholder Relations Director at AAC.

Removing obstacles to trade on the continent between different economic regions is extremely critical if we are to achieve greater agricultural industrialisation. Is the food and agri sector sufficiently equipped to manage the current disruptions and trading opportunities, added Mr Singano. African countries import about 15% of all food from other countries on the continent. The introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a game-changer – benefits for food and agricultural trade are projected to be among the most significant during the operational phase AfCFTA. How will cross country and continental collaboration be enforced to benefit the sector if we are targeting $10bn – $17bn worth of additional intra-African trade in agricultural products – an increase of 20-30% compared to current levels of trade across the continent.

Market Access Africa (MAA), taking place from 9 – 10 September 2021 in Durban, South Africa, is an action packed business meeting between policy makers, buyers, producers (sellers) and value chain enablers. The meeting will feature various high level discussions, closed sessions, live demonstrations, an interactive exhibition floor, engaging networking receptions and an expert value chain connect team to pre-schedule and facilitate meetings for all the participants.

We are pleased to welcome our members, partners and the overall agribusiness community to a highly safe and monitored physical event concluded Mr Singano.

About Market Access Africa (MAA) 2021

MAA 2021, organised in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Office of the Mayor of Durban, eThekwini Municipality, Invest Durban and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, is the global meeting place for food and agriculture buyers, sellers and value chain enablers. MAA 2021 will highlight a range of policies, solutions and technologies adopted across the continent to enhance and secure food and agriculture supply chains. MAA 2021 will feature high-profile speakers, experts and panelists addressing the below themes:

• Regional Trade Flows and Policies
• Cross Country and Continental Collaboration
• Policy Reforms and the Impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
• Building Sustainable Businesses for Women Agripreneurs
• Market and Trade Facilitation Solutions Designed to Support Export-oriented Agribusinesses
• Trade and Market Access Enabling Infrastructure and Technology
• From Farm to Market: Navigating Logistical Hurdles and Value Chain Support
• Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Transforming the Agrifood System

About the African Agri Council NPC (AAC)

The African Agri Council NPC (AAC) is a non profit pan African institution that promotes the development of sustainable food and agriculture in Africa. We are a network of key stakeholders connected to Africa’s entire food and agriculture business value chain.

We work with governments, investors and project owners and developers to accelerate investment into bankable agricultural projects, and bring together food and agriculture buyers and sellers and with a focus on attaining and improving access to regional and international markets.

Our networking platforms bring together thousands of members, partners, government representatives, investors, consultants, technology providers, retailers, farmers, aggregators and traders to connect, share knowledge and together help grow Africa’s agricultural sector. For more information visit www.agricouncil.org.

We run four annual events and virtual events. These range in size from 400 to 950 participants. Our African Agri Investment Indaba (AAII) held in Cape Town is now Africa’s largest agribusiness and investment conference. The Investment Food Forum (IFF), Market Access Africa (MAA) and AFTI Summit have attracted a lot of interest from various stakeholders and partners. As a member, you will receive a discount off the registration fees of our events. Visit www.agricouncil.org to see our upcoming event dates and become a member.

For more information get in touch with Cindy Euston-Brown via email [email protected].