‘Market access and trade facilitation’ at the AU-EU Ministerial Conference: call to strengthen collaboration between the private sector, decision-makers, researchers and donors

COLEAD participated through the FFM+ programme at the high-level thematic session on market access and trade facilitation, organised as part of the 6th African Union–European Union Ministerial Conference on Agriculture, entitled ‘A sustainable future for agri-food systems’, held in Rome on 10 October.

The session, opened by French Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard, brought together a prestigious panel composed of Estherine Fotabong (AUDA-NEPAD), Agata Gałińska (DG AGRI, European Commission), Alice O’Donovan (CELCAA) and Isolina Boto (COLEAD), moderated by Steven Were Omamo (IFPRI).

The discussions highlighted several key points:

• AU-EU cooperation is crucial for the agri-food sector, which plays a major role in job creation and contributes directly to food and nutrition security.
• The private sector is emerging as a strategic partner, with fruitful partnerships already in place between African and European actors.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a major opportunity for African businesses, but its success depends on inclusive implementation, skills development for entrepreneurs and SMEs, and improved access to information on regulations, taxation and logistics. Input for news Rome.
• SMEs and micro-enterprises need more support to build their capacity, meet market requirements, access finance and scale up their innovations. Women and young entrepreneurs need particular attention.
• Logistics infrastructure remains a major constraint, particularly for perishable products. Strategic investments are needed, including public-private partnerships, to reduce costs and losses.
• Access to business networks and partnerships is just as essential as access to finance or markets, enabling entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles that are often common across regions.

The panel thus highlighted the need for close collaboration between the private sector, public decision-makers, researchers and financial institutions to unlock the full potential of inclusive and sustainable trade and seize the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA.

As a committed player in these areas, COLEAD took this opportunity to share its ongoing commitment to actively supporting African and European entrepreneurs in a context of ongoing dialogue between the private and public sectors, thereby helping to shape the future of AU-EU cooperation and more sustainable agri-food systems.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.