Agri-Trade Roundtable I • 11:30 - 12:30 • Kongen

The New Trade Frontier: Africa’s Role in Global Supply Chain Diversification

Global trade is undergoing profound change in what can be described as a perfect storm of trade wars, climate change, rising protectionism and geopolitical instability. New tariffs from the US Government are already reshaping global value chains, and agro-processing is among the sectors feeling the pressure. These new levies, some reaching up to 50% on imports from countries like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh, are driving up costs across the supply chain. This can have global ramifications, especially on fragmented supply chains such as manufacturing in the food and retail sectors.

However, this new geo-political landscape also unlocks immense opportunities to look to many African countries for the diversification of global supply chains. Africa has more than half of the world’s uncultivated arable land and the largest youth population globally with more than 70% under the age of 30. African industries are therefore known to be the most compelling frontiers for sustainable growth and innovation. The continent’s potential to secure global food security is unmatched, but realizing this promise requires strategic investment in climate-resilient supply chains and inclusive production systems.