Benin

Putting the value back in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries value chains.

Specialty coffee barista in Ethiopia

We at ITC know that smallholder farmers and small firms are the foundation of sustainable food systems in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Yet many lack the opportunities to diversify, add value and compete in domestic, regional and global markets. 

Through our Alliances for Action approach, we are offering micro-level interventions through the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains in areas such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, and kava. 

Adding value to products and promoting local consumption can help create economies of scale and empower agribusiness communities, allowing farmers and their families to thrive. 

Our project draws on a holistic approach, working both at the farm level and on building artisan skills like chocolate-making, coffee roasting and even barista techniques. Building up these sustainable production practices will help farmers absorb economic shocks as well as help attract investments. 

Powering digital change in Sub Saharan Africa 

Digital entrepreneurship is accelerating Africa’s digital transformation, and ITC through its #FastTrackTech project is at the forefront of the change. Our work with tech start-ups and digital markets is changing lives. 

Farmers in Cote d’Ivoire are prospering after a FastTrackTech-supported business developed a mobile platform linking farmers to customers. Students in Rwanda were able to continue classes online and develop more digital literacy skills when schools were forced to close during the pandemic.  

We have been working in Benin, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia since October 2019, and our project has been extended to 2023 continuing in Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia. We provide online and onsite training, advice and coaching centred on building up digital and business skills, to fast track the internationalization of selected tech start-ups and tech ecosystems. 

Africa’s growing digital economy offers opportunities to generate jobs and contribute to economic growth and productivity. Digital entrepreneurship can help close the growing digital gender gap, favours younger generations, and can be key to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Helping Africa’s tech sector go international 

There are still challenges preventing the tech sector from contributing to its full potential, such as regulations, business support, technical and business skills, and linking to international markets. FastTrackTech Africa is solving these challenges by:  

• working with policymakers to foster business-friendly entrepreneurial ecosystems. 

• supporting next-generation trade support institutions, in particular tech hubs and business support organisations. 

• building up the business and technical skills of tech start-ups and digital entrepreneurs and connecting them to market partners and investors. 

• helping innovators develop their products and define their value proposition, and providing customised support to growth-stage start-ups. 

• supporting start-ups to attend pitching events and major tech trade fairs and facilitate introductions to partner venture capital firms. 

Expanding West African trade 

The West African Competitiveness Programme, or WACOMP, harnesses the expertise of the International Trade Centre (ITC) to increase regional integration through trade. We promote conducive business environments and greater participation of the private sector in a public-private dialogue on trade policy.

Our regional programme concentrates on improving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to secure investments and improving their regional reach. We also work to advance production and processing in the agro-food industry.

To improve business performance and value chain connectivity, we are reinforcing national trade and investment support institutions as well as supporting the ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organisations Network to share best practices and insights.

WACOMP also operates national programmes in Guinea, Senegal and Sierra Leone, which advance particular national priorities. 

Business tools 

We are extending the use of ITC technological tools to gather comprehensive information in the region.

The WACOMP Observatory is a monitoring tool for the trade competitiveness of West African countries, aiding policymakers in defining trade policies and supporting local SMEs in integrating into regional value chains. The Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism (TOAM) identifies existing trade barriers with the goal of addressing them to improve regional trade flows. 

Additionally, ITC has integrated the ECOWAS trade map tool (ECOTIS) on the ECOWAS Commission’s website. This tool assists in tracking trade performance and capitalizing on potential trade opportunities in the region.  

WACOMP Guinea

In retrospect, the Pineapple Sector Revival Project (REFILA) emerges as a pivotal WACOMP initiative, championed by ITC. 

The project sought to revitalize Guinea's pineapple industry by optimizing the entire value chain, fostering sustainable economic growth, and creating a conducive business environment. During the project, 327 tonnes of pineapple were exported in Africa and internationally 

As a result of the project, 14 businesses were launched thanks to ITC' support, including three owned by women owned. Networking activities led to 339 business contacts  reported by beneficiaries. 

As an implementing partner, the ITC strategically facilitated Guinean pineapple access to international markets through market identification, robust marketing plans, client support in new export ventures, and crucial linkages with target markets. 

The project spotlighted Guinea's diverse pineapple varieties, emphasizing the potential for niche markets and international exports. 

Crucially, the initiative was made possible through the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Comité de Liaison Europe-Afrique-Caraïbes-Pacifique. 

With a focus on the Baronne de Rothschild and smooth Cayenne varieties, the project sought to position Guinea prominently in the global pineapple market. 

WACOMP Guinea resources