The African Union Commission (AUC), AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Cherifien Office of Phosphates (OCP) Group have formed a partnership to support the development of the agricultural sector in Africa.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by HE Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, OCP Group Chairman and CEO, Mostafa Terrab, and HE Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of the AUDA-NEPAD, represented by Dr. Hamady Diop, on the sidelines of the ongoing African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) from the 3 – 6 September 2019 in Accra, Ghana.
The partnership intends to promote the use of agricultural inputs, including access to customized fertilizers meeting the needs of soils and crops of each region, and to develop the efficiency of the fertilizer whole value chain. This shows a shared commitment all three parties have to reduce hunger and poverty in Africa through a sustainable transformation of the continent’s agricultural sector.
The agreement hopes to operationalize by creating a conducive environment for private sector investments in agriculture. OCP is expected to equip AU member states with the right policies and tools to support the achievement of the Abuja commitments on fertilizer use.
The collaboration will also support strengthening efficient and sustainable use for smallholders to increase the sector’s productivity and promote inclusive growth as well as reinforce national and regional agricultural policies aimed at boosting the adoption of good agricultural practices and innovations.
OCP Group, a Moroccan company, is a major player in Africa’s sustainable development and does so through its OCP Africa label which was launched in 2016. It contributes to the African agricultural ecosystem by supporting African farmers and targeting private and public African actors and stakeholders.
The company currently has a presence in 16 countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. In these countries, OCP Africa has organized numerous training sessions for local farmers.
The group supports innovative mechanisms aimed at creating resilient and sustainable agricultural productivity to enable Africa to reach its full agricultural potential while protecting its natural environment.
OCP hopes to build an ammonia fertilizer plant in Nigeria and a plant in Ghana by 2020; one blending facility in Rwanda, one in Côte d’Ivoire, one in Ghana, three in Nigeria, and five in Ethiopia, as well as sign several deals with other African countries.
By Tobiloba Ishola
