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Fertilizer International 498 Sept-Oct 2020

30 September 2020

Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Virtual Conference 2020

CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Virtual Conference 2020

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, CRU Events is convening the 2020 Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference, 14-16 September, as a ground-breaking virtual event for the first time.

The 2020 Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference is the sixth in a series of similar events previously held by CRU in collaboration with the African Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP). These have taken place throughout Africa since 2016, having been hosted by South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique and Ghana in past years.

A live event – on your desktop

The Covid-19 pandemic has, of course, demanded a different approach to this year’s Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference. CRU and AFAP have decided to take the event online for the first time, via an exciting new digital platform. This offers everything you would expect from the previous live events – delivered straight to your desktop.

With Covid-19 changing everyday lives, and the way we do business, the need for fertilizer value chains across Africa to remain connected is as important as ever. For this reason, CRU and AFAP’s new online platform will offer you all the capabilities of a live conference on a virtual platform. Discussions, networking and the pursuit of business opportunities will continue to take place – all of this from your computer too.

A collaboration with AFAP

The series of Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conferences, which regularly attract hundreds of local and international delegates, are produced by CRU in collaboration with AFAP. Their overall purpose is to promote investment, partnerships and innovation in the African agribusiness sector. The events also offer excellent networking opportunities.

The two organisations have collaborated closely on the new virtual conference. Consequently, the 2020 event combines CRU’s global perspective on fertilizer trends and detailed market data, with AFAP’s deep understanding and close contact with Africa’s fertilizer and agribusiness markets.

Debating the key issues

More than 500 attendees are expected at this year’s new and first-of-its-kind virtual event. Debating the key issues affecting the fertilizer and agribusiness industry in Africa will be very much top of the agenda. Topics for discussion will include:

  • The impact of the Covid-19 crisis on African agribusinesses and the continent’s fertilizer trade
  • The view of major fertilizer companies on their supply of inputs to the region
  • The outlook for fertilizer production projects across Africa.

The conference provides – at the time it is most needed – insights into the impact of the coronavirus crisis on African health, politics, trade and local economies. Also on the agenda will be wider market and industry issues, in particular:

  • Digital solutions for agricultural transformation in the agribusiness supply chain
  • Advice for smallholder farmers and SMEs throughout the value chain on how to obtain support to grow their businesses
  • An up–to-date overview of fertilizer supply and demand in key African markets.

The event’s keynote session will take a deep dive into the essential role played by partnerships and development in ensuring fertilizer supply. This will provide you with unique insights into current African market issues. The session will also explore how the continent’s nations can develop their natural resources to support rural development and help grow their agribusiness sectors.

Nicola Coslett, CEO of CRU Events explained: “Our attendees will have the opportunity to safely stay connected and informed, at a time when it is most important that we maintain the progress made towards improving Africa’s fertilizer trade and agribusiness development.”

What to expect

This year’s virtual conference will bring the African fertilizer community together. As with past events, there will be plenty of opportunities to join the experts, take part in interactive panel discussions, discuss the key issues, engage in productive networking and meet with contacts, both old and new. The conference also lets you find all the content you need, flexibly and conveniently, as and when you require it. n

Conference sessions

  • Keynote Session: partnership and development to ensure fertilizer supply
  • Global fertilizer leadership perspectives on boosting Africa
  • Understanding the new landscape for African fertilizer and agribusiness
  • Investing in African fertilizer production and distribution
  • Digital solutions for agricultural transformation in the fertilizer and agribusiness supply chain
  • Supporting smallholder farmers and SMEs throughout the value chain
  • Understanding soil health and the need for specialty fertilizers in Africa
  • Expanding African fertilizer production and processing capacity

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