Oilseed in West Africa: Stakeholders rethink the industry’s development in Lomé

Agriculture
Monday, 27 November 2023 14:35
Oilseed in West Africa: Stakeholders rethink the industry’s development in Lomé

(Togo First) - The AIFO–Association of Oilseed Industries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)- had their 23rd General Assembly last week in Lomé, Togo. During the meeting, the stakeholders discussed ways to make the region’s oilseed industries more competitive, dynamic, and modern. 

Among others, the participants also looked at the various bottlenecks that impede the oilseed industry’s growth. These include inter-country customs barriers, as well as the overwhelming presence of Asia-imported (legally and illegally) oils.

"There is therefore an urgent need to act and to take the necessary action to spur a new dynamic to clean up the industrial and commercial environments," alerted AIFO's first Vice President, Thierry Awesso, also Chairman and CEO of the Nouvelle industrie des oléagineux du Togo (NIOTO).

During the talks, the general managers of the AIFO's industrial units adopted strategies to tackle unfair competition. Commenting on this, Afawoubo Afi, a representative of Togo’s minister of trade said: "Togo will pay particular attention to the proposals and recommendations made"

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the AIFO and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as part of its large-scale food fortification project in West Africa (LSFF).

Created in 2000, the AIFO focuses on reducing poverty, supporting the oilseed processing industry, and maintaining technical cooperation between industrial companies across the WAEMU.

Esaïe Edoh

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