In the previous issue, I celebrated with you our ever-expanding partnership with Africa’s private sector to manufacture, market and distribute Aflasafe across several countries. We have now attained the critical geographical coverage, number, and diversity of partnerships that stimulate cross-learning and accelerate the scaling-up of this life-saving innovation.
The year 2019 is undoubtedly a memorable landmark in Aflasafe’s journey, with the 1st Aflasafe for Africa Conference in Arusha, Tanzania, from 4th to 5th November 2019. This by-invitation-only conference attracted more than 100 delegates from 15 African countries representing the private sector, national governments, regional economic communities, the African Union, funders and other development partners. The level of participation, the quality of discussions and the intensity of the deliberations were all beyond my expectations for this maiden event.
The major takeaway that resonated throughout this inaugural conference was that we are at a decisive turning point, and now entering another phase in the Aflasafe journey, where the private sector supported by the national government is taking the lead in the scaling-up, while IITA recedes to a supporting role.
What is my reading of this? The private sector and the government are the main actors, with the resources, capabilities and power to propel the Aflasafe innovation to scale. Putting these influential actors in the driver’s seat is a success, and undergirds our approach over the last four years.
This achievement would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of my team at IITA, Chemonics International and Dalberg Advisors. Not to be forgotten is the ATTC Advisory Board for their confidence and conviction in our mission, and for their guidance and continued support as we do what we do.
While we celebrate this monumental transitional milestone, we recognise that there is still a long way to go to before establishing a sustainable system that will ensure that all farmland for aflatoxin-susceptible crops is protected by Aflasafe.
At IITA, we are already on the job, having pivoted to our new supportive role. In this issue, we bring you news of how, even after commercialisation, the results of our research continue to help Aflasafe manufacturing partners to reduce capital costs, and to shorten the lead time for production while maintaining the high quality of the product. This is only possible because our partners talk to us, and we in turn listen to them.
This 8th issue of ATTC News – the last for 2019 – carries details on all the above and more. Here are some highlights:
- The 1st Aflasafe for Africa Conference
- Dry inoculum, and what that means for Aflasafe manufacture
- A downloadable brief on the status of Aflasafe commercialisation
My best wishes to all our readers this festive season.
Matiéyédou Konlambigue
Managing Director, Aflasafe Technology Transfer and Commercialisation (ATTC), IITA
December 2019
