The first West Africa Agribusiness Show (WAAS) will explore the viable prospects of West Africa’s agro-commodity landscape and further enhance the agribusiness sector in the region and the continent at large, Chief Convener, Mr. Idowu Asenuga, has announced.
WAAS is an annual exhibition intended to provide a platform through which innovations in technology, equipment, procedures, and processes in the agribusiness sector can be developed.
The maiden edition themed “Accelerating Food Revolution in Africa” will take center stage at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos state, from February 18th – 20th, 2020.
In a press statement on Tuesday, Asenuga revealed that the event was packaged to provide a knowledge-sharing base and fashion out critical pathways to solving Africa’s toughest challenges as it relates to food sufficiency and growth of the continent’s agriculture sector.
“The West Africa Agribusiness Show was conceptualized based on the need for West African countries to come together to showcase the rich agricultural heritage of their sub-continent and contribute to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Our target is to attract new prospects in agribusiness and make West Africa an investment hub for the agricultural and allied sectors,” he said.
Asenuga also pointed out that the event would spark radical development as stakeholders in the agricultural sphere will connect to share expertise to be deployed in the production and processing of agriculture-related products.
He added that the platform will create a leeway for the creation of employment in the different areas of the sector as well as enhance trade realities among West African countries.
WAAS, Asenuga further noted, will also provide an inclusive platform for the “voiceless” smallholder farmers to thrive.
He said, “Over the years the exhibition costs have exempted so many local farmers in Nigeria. For WAAS, we have given smallholders the ability to leverage the event and showcase their merchandise to the rest of Africa.”
The convener also explained that the event is expected to help contribute towards raising West Africa’s GDP from the 3.9 percent growth recorded in 2019.
The show will also provide participants with equal opportunity to enhance their brand visibility and establish business alliances with potential partners.
Farmers, agri-innovators, research organizations and stakeholders from fifteen countries across West Africa are expected to partake in the agribusiness show.
AgroNigeria as one of WAAS’ partners will be on ground to project the values of the event as well as provide adequate media coverage.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA
