Projects to boost the food industry in Africa

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) (www.GainHealth.org), an international organization created by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the mission of eradicating malnutrition, is organizing the first Investment Forum for Nutrition in Nairobi, Kenya to Encourage Private Sector Investors to Play a Key Role in Improving Nutrition in Africa

This Forum Will Spotlight Market Opportunities in a Market largely underdeveloped. From farm to farm, the deficit of diets in low- and middle-income markets represents an untapped market worth $ 120 billion.

According to a recent study, no African country should achieve the UN goal of eradicating child malnutrition by 2030. In fact, indicators of malnutrition remain high in 14 countries, in the Sahelo-African belt, from Senegal in the west to Eritrea in the East

This problem needs to be solved. GAIN believes that the mobilization of the private sector is essential to combat this scourge. Investments along the food value chain are essential to improve availability, access, cost and, ultimately, the consumption of nutritious foods.

GAIN works with nearly 1,000 companies involved in the chain in Africa, but many say they have difficulty accessing capital.

At the forum, experts will present various viable investment opportunities with venture capital funds, financial institutions, foundations and investors seeking social impact. The forum will provide more information on the investment potential for nutritious foods in Africa. The private sector and investors will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities for unlocking more investment in the nutrition market through mechanisms already available and those under development.

Lawrence Haddad, Director Executive of GAIN, explains: "One in three people in the world suffers from some form of malnutrition. In addition, unhealthy diet is the leading risk factor for disease in the world. We believe that food companies in Africa have the capacity to solve this problem by producing nutritious food at a low price. Nevertheless, to exploit this potential, new private investment for SMEs is needed, as well as new policies and credit instruments. Our goal is to help fill this gap. "

Fokko Wientjes, Vice President of Programs for Malnutrition and Partnerships Royal DSM and Executive Committee Member of SUN Business Network, said," Nutrition is becoming a sector dynamic and innovative of the African agro-food industry. Businesses, governments, and investors not only argue for ethical investment in nutrition, they also have a financial profitability analysis. Businesses adapt when governments and consumers increasingly demand access to safe and affordable nutritious foods. Investors will begin to build the food industry of tomorrow for the benefit of the African consumer. "

This event is organized by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in partnership with Royal DSM, SUN Business Network and African Business Magazine