February 14, 2024

Collaboration between 2SCALE, SNV and FIAB: Reflections on a visit with broad perspectives on the development of Burkina Faso’s agri-food sector

Burkina Faso

On Monday, February 5, 2024, Annemieke Beekmans, the Global Director of the Agri-food sector at SNV and Director of the 2SCALE and Pro-ARIDES Multi-country programs, paid a courtesy visit to the National Federation of Agri-food and Processing Industries of Burkina Faso (FIAB). Ms Beekmans was accompanied by Marjon TSUINA, the Country Director of SNV; HANS MEENINK, 2SCALE’s Program Manager; and Mansour BOUNDAOGO, the Country Team Leader for 2SCALE Burkina Faso.

The visit was aimed at gaining insight into FIAB’s activities, missions, and challenges, and exploring the synergies developed with 2SCALE and the SNV programs towards developing an efficient agri-food sector in Burkina Faso.

During this meeting, which was rich in perspectives, Ms Beekmans, underlined the crucial role of the private sector in promoting development in Africa and commended the dedication of FIAB to fostering a thriving agri-food sector in Burkina Faso. The meeting also provided an opportunity for her and the FIAB representatives to discuss the progress of projects under SNV, including the 2SCALE program, the challenges encountered and the new opportunities in the Burkinabe agri-food sector.

Ms Beekmans also inquired about the federation’s appeal to agri-food companies and the initiatives they have deployed to attract more of these companies. Simone ZOUNDI, the President of FIAB, identified the growing collective awareness of the importance of the agri-food sector for healthy food as the main draw for agri-food companies towards the federation.

For Agathe YERBANGA, the manager Magnificat Gourmets and Esther NIKIEMA from Kimorial company, their membership in the FIAB aligns with a commitment and a shared vision for enhancing the influence of the agri-food sector.

Florence Bassono, the manager of Faso Attiéké, explains,

The FIAB offers us the opportunity to work in harmony, not only for the development of the agri-food sector but also for the integral improvement of the different value chains in which we operate.

Synergy of actions between FIAB and the 2SCALE program

In her memorandum, the President of the FIAB called for increased synergy of actions with the 2SCALE program, highlighting its contribution so far in the success of the 12th edition of the agri-food days, as well as the establishment of the Inclusive Agribusiness Club, which serves as a platform for networking and experience sharing to address the challenges of the agri-food sector in Burkina Faso. She also appealed for support in promoting the 2SCALE approach and the facilitation of trade with the countries hosting the 2SCALE program.

Looking Forward

Ms Beekmans commended the quality of the discussions and the commitment of FIAB actors towards promoting healthy local food production and consumption. She gave an assurance that the concerns raised would be addressed to the extent possible, emphasizing that modern development depends on the private sector.

Moreover, she had the opportunity to explore the products developed by FIAB members, gaining a thorough understanding of the transformations carried out within the organization.

This visit symbolizes the fusion of SNV’s global expertise in the agri-food sector with local structures for prosperous agri-food sector in Burkina Faso.

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