Fertilizer: WAFA, AFA set to expand market in West Africa

In a bit to increase the supply of high quality affordable fertilizer supply in the West African markets region, the West African Fertilizer Association (WAFA) and Arab Fertilizer Association have formed a partnership along with a Dubai based consulting firm named AFRIQOM.
In a press release made available to Food Farm News, the business deal was conceived in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in a zoom conference held June 10, 2020.

The statement signed by the communication officer, Ada Nsitem had the Vice President of WAFA, Dr. Innocent Okuku saying that the collaboration of the three organization would enhance market availability of quality affordable fertilizers for the use of farmers in the West African region to the tune of 12 million tons from its present level of 3.5 million tons.

Dr. Okuku said that “this collaboration with AFA and AFRIQOM is very important to WAFA and its 60 members who account for about 90% of fertilizer supplies in West Africa. Since AFA members represent over 30% of global fertilizer production, WAFA will leverage that capacity to fast track one of her key objectives of increasing supply of high-quality affordable fertilizers across West Africa while in return AFA members will have improved access to the relatively untapped over 12 million tons’ fertilizer market potential of the region. Both WAFA and AFA will work together to grow West Africa's fertilizer demand from its present 3.5 million tons toward unlocking the over 12 million tons’ market potential.

The involvement of AFRIQOM in the relationship will bring increased transparency of the market. On the overall, this collaboration will contribute significantly to helping Africa increase its agricultural production, decrease its dependence on food imports and create wealth among her rural populations. We at WAFA are therefore very excited to announce this collaboration.”

The Secretary-General (SG) Engr. Raed Soub, AFA in the press-release was quoted as saying that “AFA is seeking to support Arab market status and presence in African markets on a wide range through future plans that will ensure broad presence in the African continent, guaranteeing greater opportunities and more significant expansions provided by AFA for its members to identify such a promising continent development.”