Last year, we worked with various stakeholders to lay the foundations for the sustainable commercialisation of Aflasafe products. Indeed, we completed the country-tailored commercialisation strategies in the first portfolio of countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia. This has facilitated the mobilisation of companies interested in manufacturing and distributing Aflasafe during a series of investors’ fora held.
In 2018, we are entering the most exciting phase of the commercialisation path that will witness effective manufacturing and/or distribution of Aflasafe by private companies in all these countries. These partners will take over the awareness-raising about the product using marketing communication strategies adapted to their context as part and parcel of their business plan. ATTC will continue to build the technical and business capacities of the sales and technical force of these companies to ensure effective product promotion. By so doing, these partners are expected to sell and distribute more than 1,300 tons of Aflasafe to farmers through public- and private-sector channels, covering a collective 130,000 hectares of maize and groundnuts.
Taking advantage of the momentum created above, we plan to start our activities in Tanzania during the second quarter of the year.
Allow me to highlight some major progress whose details we bring you in this second issue of our newsletter:
- The interest in Aflasafe products is increasing with the signing of our second Technology Transfer and Licensing Agreement with Harvestfield Industries Ltd to cover Nigeria – Aflasafe’s largest potential market in Africa.
- I am pleased to announce to you the approval of the registration of an Aflasafe product in Ghana. This news will put a smile on the face of investors and farmers who cannot wait to see the product commercialised in the country!
- ATTC is getting more support at national level, with high-profile personalities joining its National Advisory Committees in Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia.
As we navigate through this uncharted journey, we recognise the importance of strategic partnerships with key enabling actors in the commercialisation ‘ecosystem’ to accelerate the uptake of Aflasafe. I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for all the support we continue to receive from the public, private and funder community.
I hope you will enjoy this second issue of ATTC News. We very much appreciated your feedback on the first issue. Please continue to talk to us. We’re listening.
Abdou Konlambigue
Managing Director, Aflasafe Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, IITA
March 2018
