UK-backed AFEX Celebrates 10 Years of Driving Agricultural Growth and Food Security Across Africa

By: Michael Mike

A leading commodities player in Africa, AFEX, with support from the UK Government, has significant achievements across Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Côte d’Ivoire, as it commemorates its 10th year reshaping the agriculture value chain in Africa, contributing to building sustainable food systems and creating lasting impact for farmers, agribusinesses, and communities.

Through their operations providing capital and storage infrastructure to farmers, processors and other parts of the value chain, AFEX has remained steadfast in its mission to enhance food security, reduce post-harvest losses, and introduce liquidity into agricultural markets through efficient market structures.

Established in 2014 as the first private commodities exchange in Nigeria, AFEX has directly supported smallholder farmers by providing them with access to finance, high-value market opportunities, and crucial extension services. This has not only improved the livelihoods of these farmers but also enhanced their productivity and overall output. Within the same period, AFEX has also grown its presence across the continent, expanding from Nigeria into Kenya, Uganda, and Côte d’Ivoire, and establishing regional commodity markets that facilitate cross-border trade while strengthening food systems throughout these regions.

In Nigeria, AFEX has expanded its farmer network to over 500,000 and traded over 1 million metric tons of essential crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, and soybeans. This trading volume has made a significant contribution to improving food availability and stability in its operational areas. Furthermore, through its financing platform, AFEX has injected over $250 million into agricultural value chains, ensuring that farmers have access to the capital they need to scale their production.

Since expanding into Kenya and Uganda in 2021 and 2022, AFEX has been bullish in the pursuit of their strategic Pan-African expansion goal to penetrate 8 African countries in the next decade, promoting the efficient trade of commodities in Africa while supporting the AFCFTA’s objectives to boost regional trade integration on the continent. Today, its East African operations have impacted over 30,000 farmers through financing and storage services, traded over 12,000 metric tonne and traded about KSH1,600,000,000. In its newest market, Côte d’Ivoire, announced at the beginning of 2024, AFEX has onboarded over a thousand farmers, and disbursed maize inputs across 155 hectares, boosting productivity and food self-sufficiency.

Commenting on the anniversary, the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said: “The UK is proud to have provided early-stage funding to AFEX 10 years ago, and to see the company grow with such success, enhancing agricultural productivity and bolstering food security in Nigeria. The agricultural sector stands as a vital pillar to Nigeria’s economy, playing a significant role in job creation and investment potential. We look forward to continuing to support Nigeria’s agriculture sector and the opportunities this provides for its economic growth.”

Group CEO, AFEX, Ayodeji Balogun, reflected on the company’s 10-year journey, stating, “These past 10 years have been about creating innovative solutions for African agriculture and developing sustainable ecosystems that empower farmers. As we mark this milestone on World Food Day, we are reminded that our mission is more critical than ever. Our goal is to continue building the infrastructure and platforms that will secure Africa’s food future.”

Speaking about British International Investment’s $26.5 million commitment to AFEX in 2023, Nigeria Coverage Director of the UK’s development finance institution (DFI), Mr. Benson Adenuga said: “We are delighted to partner with AFEX to provide the necessary support to scale into a pan-African champion, driving agribusiness and strengthening food systems in multiple countries across the continent. Our commitment will support AFEX to construct 20 warehouses in strategic locations in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda, increasing storage capacity for up to 200,000 farmers and underlining our mandate to support ambitious businesses in Africa”.

A key element of AFEX’s impact lies in its investment in infrastructure. Over the past decade, the company has developed a robust network of more than 200 warehouses across Africa, providing secure storage for agricultural produce and reducing post-harvest losses by up to 30% in some regions. By reducing post-harvest losses and improving productivity, AFEX is playing a critical role in enhancing food security, addressing the challenges of climate change and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across Africa. This commitment mirrors the global call to action on World Food Day to ensure that food systems are inclusive, resilient, and capable of feeding future generations.

AFEX is a platform business that enables efficient trade for commodities in Africa. Solutions start at producer level, ensuring improvement in productivity and livelihoods while building up commodity volumes in the right quality and quantity for local and regional trade.

Operating through three business units, AFEX addresses the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, providing better access to inputs, credit facilities, micro-insurance, storage services, training, and markets. Partnership with different key players across the agricultural value chain – including processors, logistics service providers, financial institutions, and regulatory authorities – makes its goal of supporting Africa’s food security possible.

A range of clients and members also trade physical commodities and commodity contracts through AFEX’s technology platforms, as AFEX continuously bridges the gap between the capital market and the commodities market, thus unlocking finance for production, trade, processing and export of commodities.

MILITARY SECRETARY (ARMY) SENSITISES OFFICERS IN 1 DIVISION AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY ON CAREER PLANNING AND PROSPECTS

By: Our Reporter

The Military Secretary Army MS(A), Major General Eyitayo Folusho Oyinlola has sensitized officers in 1 Division Area of Responsibility on career planning and prospects in the Nigerian Army on 14 October 2024 at Headquarters 1 Division Auditorium, Kawo, Kaduna.

Earlier in his welcome address, the host and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirenso Lander Saraso, expressed his appreciation to the MS(A) for the well packaged and informative lecture. He emphasized the importance of career planning in helping officers set professional goals and as well achieve them.

He noted that the lecture aligned with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy of ensuring that officers are well-informed about their postings, promotions, and professional growth. He encouraged participants to strive for excellence through hard work, discipline and commitment to duty. The GOC further urged participants to be actively engaged in the lecture by listening attentively and asking relevant questions to clear their doubts.

Before the commencement of his lecture and also in his closing remarks, the MS (A) Major General EF Oyinlola thanked the GOC for hosting the event and urged participants to take the lessons seriously, emphasizing the importance of sharing the knowledge learnt with other officers who could not attend due to operational commitments and exigencies. He reiterated the need for officers to be highly disciplined and avoid all acts that may jeopardize their career.

In attendance at the lecture were the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna Major General John Ochefu Ochai, GOC 1 Division Major General MLD Saraso, Commanders and Principal Staff Officers from NDA and Headquarters 1 Division and participants drawn from various NA Formations, Units, Establishments and Schools within 1 Division Area of Responsibility.

Highlights of the event were the lecture on career planning in the NA delivered by the MS (A), signing of the visitors’ book, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.

MILITARY SECRETARY (ARMY) SENSITISES OFFICERS IN 1 DIVISION AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY ON CAREER PLANNING AND PROSPECTS

LEADERSHIP NOT ONLY ABOUT MAKING RIGHT DECISIONS, BUT RELATIONSHIP WITH SUBORDINATES…GOC 6 Division

Restates, Inaugurates Course in Port Harcourt Barracks

By: Our Reporter

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has reiterated that leadership is not only about making the right decisions, but also about relationship with subordinates. He made this known, while inaugurating the 6 Division Leadership Awareness and Development Course (LADC) 10/2024. The course was organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja for Senior Non Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) in 6 Division at the Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya Badminton Court, Port Harcourt Barracks Rivers State.

Major General Abdussalam who was the Special Guest of Honour stated that the essence of leadership is about relationship with the person in the front and those who follow him. Although, he said this needs to be backed up by qualities such as integrity, experience, character and knowledge. Hence, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has approved the LADC to essentially develop the level of awareness and sharpen the leadership skills of the SNCOs.

The GOC further maintained that he was optimistic that the pedigree of the resource persons selected for the course would afford the participants the opportunity to deliberate and make meaningful contributions. He added that it will also enable them to come up with workable plans at the operational and administrative realms, particularly in the NA operational engagements across various theatres. He emphasized that the LADC will also enable the NA bridge the various leadership gaps within the system, especially when NA is operating in joint environment in line with COAS command philosophy.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General (DG), NARC, Major General Garba Wahab(Rtd) thanked the COAS for approving the conduct of the course. He added that the course was supposed to be conducted at NARC, Abuja but COAS gave the approval that it should be conducted across various formations and units for the benefits of troops. Hence, it is being conducted in 6 Division. He congratulated the participants for the opportunity, urging them to take advantage of the knowledge they will acquire to develop their leadership skills.

The 5 – Day event will feature lectures and series of exercises that would sharpen the leadership skills of participants. The first wave presentations were delivered by the DG NARC on general orientation on course objectives and COAS command philosophy. He also delivered lectures on leadership framework in peace and war time as well as coaching and mentoring.

LEADERSHIP NOT ONLY ABOUT MAKING RIGHT DECISIONS, BUT RELATIONSHIP WITH SUBORDINATES…GOC 6 Division