Development agencies, NGO’s, farmer cooperatives, and the private sector were encouraged by the African Development Bank to establish more effective solutions to financing for the value chain fertilizer in Africa. During the Argus Africa Fertilizer Conference of 19 February, the Bank called for action. The focus of the conference was Support for improved productivity and economic growth in the region in the fertilizer value chains. Marie-Claire Kalihangabo, Co-ordinator of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism at a forum in the sidelines of the Conference, stated that adequate investment and financing throughout the fertilizer chain has become a precondition for our continental objectives in the field of agriculture development. In line with the Bank’s high-5 priority, Africa Food Safety Vision, Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063, AFFM is the African Development Bank‘s managed fund to accelerate farm development.
Mahamadou Nassirou BA, Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said: “The progress of the agriculture agenda in Africa needs a synergistic strategy that will break down barriers and silos, still hurdling the growth of fertilizer sector in Africa. Participants also addressed the need for closer cooperation between development partners and commercial banks to establish exclusive opportunities for financing fertilizers in Africa and to support small and medium-sized fertilizer companies. SMEs are thought to be the key to quality fertilizer for small farmers.
Digital solutions, such as an e-wallet in Nigeria, could play a bigger role in revitalizing and connecting the supply chain of fertilizers, says Edward Mabaya, Director, Agribusiness Development. Mabaya said during the forum of the AFFM: “The digital transformation can make a big contribution to enhance the processes and achieve better outcomes of the fertilizer value chain players. Oumar Guindo, General Manager of the Mali-based fertilizer company, Toguna Agro Industries, stated that Mali’s success story is mainly due to the presence of inter-professional committees per crop.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
