agro AgroTech West Africa 2018

The Exhibition

The event showcases agricultural technology and machines, farm tractors, seed, animal production, floriculture and horticulture, greenhouse technology, service firms, organizations and media. The visitor target groups are small-scale and large-scale farmers, breeders and keepers, who are attracted by the event being held in parallel with food+bev tec and food+hospitality West Africa. Since 2013 fairtrade has been organizing “agro West Africa” as part of “agrofood West Africa”. Now DLG (German Agricultural Society) has entered into a strategic partnership with fairtrade to further develop the newly created event “agro AgroTech West Africa”, contributing its agro and trade fair expertise as well as a comprehensive fringe programme. agro AgroTech West Africa is scheduled to be held alternately in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) in the even years, and in Accra (Ghana) in the odd years. agro AgroTech West Africa is aimed at both francophone and anglophone West African countries.

The Market

Trade between the countries is frequent and dynamic, road infrastructure is good and distances are not too long. West Africa is experiencing strong demand for innovative agricultural technologies for sustainable plant production. Above all, solutions for more efficient irrigation and plant protection for the purpose of increasing yields, reducing immense post-harvest losses and reducing imports are on the agenda of policy-makers and practicing farmers in the field of crop production. For several years now politicians and decision-makers have been stepping up their efforts in this respect and the international community is ready to support this development. Double-digit growth in sales figures proves that sub-Saharan Africa is investing. According to the German Engineering Federation VDMA, West Africa imported agricultural machinery and equipment worth EUR 187.2 million in 2016. Furthermore, the decline in oil revenues led to a revival of local production and the “made-in…” trend.