The African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) and West Africa Fertiliser Association (WAFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the fertiliser and agribusiness sector in West Africa. The MoU was signed on the margins of the AFAP Regional West Africa PPD in Accra, Ghana, on April 18, 2023.
The MoU seeks to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of fertiliser and soil-enhancing products among farmers in West Africa. Additionally, it aims to advocate for improved trading of fertiliser among agribusinesses, fertiliser companies and farmers across West Africa; facilitate and improve access to credit and financing among agribusiness in West Africa; promote market/trade development among agribusiness, fertiliser companies and farmers with improved data analysis and information availability; improve policy design, implementation and review to ensure a business-enabling environment in the fertiliser and agribusiness sector; and strengthen networking and organisation of fertiliser and agribusiness sector stakeholders and value chain actor linkages and interactions.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Michael Sudarkasa, CEO-AFAP, and Dr. Innocent Okuku, Executive Secretary-WAFA. At the signing ceremony, Mr. Sudarkasa said: “This MoU demonstrates the commitment of AFAP and WAFA to working together in addressing challenges facing the fertiliser and agribusiness sector in West Africa. We look forward to working with WAFA to improve the lives and livelihoods of farmers in the region”.
Dr. Okuku added: “WAFA is delighted to collaborate with AFAP on this important initiative. We believe that this partnership will help promote the fertiliser and agribusiness sector in West Africa and improve food security in the region. We are committed to working with AFAP to achieve our shared objectives”.
Under the MoU, AFAP will be responsible for providing short-term technical assistance, training, logistical support and equipment to support WAFA’s activities related to identification, formation, implementation and monitoring and strengthening of the fertiliser and agribusiness sector. WAFA will coordinate its members and stakeholders to participate in activities to further these MoU objectives; facilitate and identify the financial, technical and logistical support needed for efective implementation of the aforementioned activities; and take the lead in identifying relevant technical needs for improving fertiliser and agribusiness development activities in West Africa.
The MoU will be effective from May 2023 to April 2026, and both parties have agreed to meet on a quarterly basis to review the implementation-status of activities agreed upon by the parties, and assess changes in the field in order to act accordingly.
