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The conference ' s focus is the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ), a landmark agreement aimed at boosting intra-African trade and economic integration . Matthew praised the agreement as a significant enabler of food security , emphasising its role in addressing the continent ' s infrastructure challenges and post-harvest losses .

With 47 of the 54 African nations having signed onto AfCFTA , the agreement is seen as a major step towards enhancing food security and economic development . Matthew underscored the potential for the agreement to generate USD450-billion in income by 2035 , which could uplift 30 million people from poverty .

As he concluded his opening speech , Matthew handed over the stage to Chris Creed , the current chairman of GCCA Africa , along with other advisory committee members , to lead the next phase of the conference .

Creed delivered a comprehensive overview of the organisation ’ s role and strategic goals . In his remarks , Creed emphasised GCCA Africa ’ s pivotal role in advancing food security and its commitment to the cold chain industry across the continent .

GCCA Africa is a young chapter that began in 2018 and gained momentum in 2020 . The organisation now boasts 45 active member companies across key African nations , including Kenya , Egypt , Ghana , and South Africa .

Highlighting the scope and impact of GCCA Africa , Creed noted that the organisation is part of the GCCA and its foundation , the Global Cold Chain Foundation . With over 1 500 member companies in 92 countries , GCCA plays a crucial role in the food service industry , focusing on temperature-controlled logistics and supply chain services . This sector is designated as essential and is vital for

ensuring safe , high-quality , and affordable access to the world ’ s food supply .

Creed underscored the significance of the cold chain industry in maintaining the quality and safety of temperature-sensitive products , including perishable foods , vaccines , and pharmaceuticals . He pointed out that the industry ’ s efforts are critical for securing food safety and advancing food security across Africa and globally .

He outlined the strategic focus areas for GCCA Africa , which are aligned with the global strategic plan of the GCCA . The four strategic pillars include workforce development , innovation , industry promotion , and global advocacy . Specifically , Creed highlighted the industry promotion pillar , which focuses on three key goals : enhancing food security , fostering collaborative partnerships , and expanding membership .

Creed emphasised that expanding membership is not merely a self-serving goal but a strategic effort to extend GCCA Africa ’ s reach into the 54 countries across the continent . This expansion aims to address food security challenges and leverage the expertise and professionalism of the GCCA global community to benefit more regions .

Creed reiterated the significance of AfCFTA as a foundational element in building sustainable food security . One of the major challenges was the staggering loss of food due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure . Creed pointed out that 30-40 % of food produced in Africa is lost post-harvest , translating to approximately 100 million metric tons annually , according to a World Bank report 1 . This loss is particularly concerning given that nearly 300 million people — almost 20 % of Africa ’ s population — suffer from undernourishment .

Creed highlighted the need for economic growth in achieving sustainability . Robust cold chain systems support agricultural development by enabling farmers to access broader markets and secure better prices for their products . This , in turn , contributes to economic growth and enhances food security . Creed referenced a potential

Supplied by GCCA .

Global Cold Chain Alliance ( GCCA ) Africa ’ s executive director Paul Matthew .

market value of USD15 billion by 2030 , underscoring the economic impact that a well-developed cold chain can have .

Furthermore , Creed pointed to the efforts of the Global Cold Chain Foundation , which is working on post-harvest training initiatives in Kenya and Rwanda . These initiatives aim to provide valuable expertise and serve as a blueprint for improving cold chain practices across the continent . CLA

1 . https :// www . worldbank . org / en / programs / africa-myths-and-facts / publication / is-post-harvest-losssignificant-in-sub-saharan-africa

The four strategic pillars include workforce development , innovation , industry promotion , and global advocacy .

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