Trade and Marketing

Trends and opportunities for connecting African trade

by Sophie Reeve

New policies, free trade areas and digital projects are changing Africa’s regional food trade and opening up market linkages for actors of the agricultural value chain across the continent.

Fresh food for Rwanda’s urban consumers

by Aimable Twahirwa

A consistent market for fresh food producers is being provided by an online grocery store and delivery service, which leverages consumer data to match local supply with demand.

Uganda’s local grass reduces plastic use

by Grace Musimami and Vincent Defait

Rural women farmers are earning additional incomes by harvesting a wild grass variety and selling to a local start-up for processing into biodegradable straws and stirrers.

Nigeria’s rural women revolutionise local locust beans

by Emmanuel Maduka

A food manufacturing start-up is upscaling the potential of a cheap, nutritious local crop and providing rural women with access to a reliable market.

Smallholders access the sweet potato snack market

by James Karuga

An agri-processing company in Tanzania producing nutritional, sweet potato-based foods is providing a ready market for local women and young farmers.

The potential for women to tap into Africa’s free trade area

by Bob Koigi

New initiatives are emerging to empower women traders and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the increased border trade and reduced tariffs as a result of the operationalised Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Cotton transforms Mali’s handicrafts sector

by Soumaila Diarra

Through local support projects and initiatives in Mali’s cotton value chain, craftspeople are acquiring new equipment and skills to increase in-country textile processing.

Zimbabwe commercialises its indigenous crops

by Tonderayi Mukeredzi

A specialised research organisation in Zimbabwe is identifying and developing locally available and underutilised plant species into marketable products.

The Solomon Islands rediscover the taste of honey

by Vincent Defait

Following destruction of the entire bee population by parasites in the 2000s, the Solomon Islands has now restarted its honey production, and has its sights set on the export market.

Fairtrade coffee and cocoa: a sweet deal for women farmers?

by Sophie Reeve

Established and start-up companies worldwide are adopting Fairtrade – or similar trading models – to deliver higher social standards and incomes for producers. But are women farmers benefiting?

Digitalising East Africa’s border control

by Stephanie Lynch

Cross-border trade in East Africa has never been more efficient with the introduction of centralised digital systems that can be accessed by authorities across the region, to monitor the journey of goods and ensure all the necessary documentation is available.

Kenyan mobile platform matches supply with demand

by Bob Koigi

To reduce fragmentation in the produce market, a mobile-based platform is supplying vendors in Kenya with fresh fruit and vegetables and providing a steady market for smallholders.

Mali ramps up mango export capacity

by Vincent Defait and Soumaila Diarra

To help reduce significant mango post-harvest losses in Mali, fresh fruit packing and cold storage facilities have been established in the country.

A promising new continent-wide trade agreement for Africa

The new African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is expected to be a game changer, boosting inter-African trade, spurring manufacturing, and creating economic opportunities. But for its benefits to be realised, the details need to be negotiated; and Africa's leaders need to commit to AfCFTA for the long haul.

Aligning Africa’s regulations with global markets

by Vincent Defait

Poor food safety regulations hamper Africa’s ability to engage in international food markets. But harmonised regulations, tailored infrastructure and increased public and private sector investment have been identified as interventions that could bolster the continent’s food safety capacity, and ignite its food export market.

Assessing the status of Africa’s agricultural exports

by Alex Miller

Africa’s global exports increased by one third between 1998 and 2013, but constraints to trade and growing import levels continue to limit the continent from reaching its potential.

Curing the Caribbean – one teacup at a time

A new line of organic loose-leaf teas launched in Trinidad and Tobago is building on the region’s tradition of steeping flowers, leaves, herbs, roots and barks to provide a range of health benefits.

Brewing up new market opportunities in Cameroon

Through a public-private sector initiative in Cameroon, farmers are being provided with improved seed to enhance their production and supply local industries.

Online auction floor links farmers with buyers in Zimbabwe

To resolve the ‘disconnect’ between smallholders and markets, and reduce transport costs and produce losses for farmers, an efficient and transparent online auction system has been established in Zimbabwe.

Spicing up Rwanda’s exports

With innovative products such as chili pepper oil and plantain wine, a Rwandan agri-processing enterprise is gaining global attention.