Innovations Session N°10

The recording of the session is available in English and French on YouTube

The way forward

The development of the African food industry needs substantial local and foreign private investments eased by public investments in infrastructure, sound regulatory environment, support to research and innovations, and policy and legal stability.

Selling to EU markets involves market research, developing marketing channels, adapting products and packaging, meeting quality standards and labelling requirement, dealing with changing administrative procedures and regulatory requirements.

Smaller firms have been affected particularly hard in the last two years, given their narrower margins and more limited financial resources. Building resilience to shocks and crisis is a priority and expanding the export of value-added agricultural products is critical for economic growth, employment creation and foreign exchange earnings by African countries.

The availability of public goods, such as improved roads and communications infrastructure, well-designed legal and regulatory systems and educated labour are a prerequisite to private investment. Increasingly, the private sector is providing mobile technology, post-harvest facilities and processing capacity, and agricultural inputs[22] in rural areas. Governments, investors and development partners should create new opportunities for youth in farming, expanding job opportunities in on-farm and off-farm activities.

Key points for discussion on SMEs and businesses exporting to the EU markets

• What are the drivers of success of export-led SMEs in the agrifood sector: what innovations, technologies, knowledge and finance do they attract and need?
• What type of investments are needed for export-led SMEs?
• What incentives can be provided to export-led SMEs and smallholders in fresh and value-added food products?