The ITTO 2019 Annual Market Discussion: Added Value Processing in Africa— Opportunities and Challenges

The launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area last year could spur greater industrialization because it has created a single market for goods and services in Africa. Can the timber industries capitalize on this expanded market opportunity?

Many countries have committed to supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers through various policies and incentives, such as approved tax breaks, cash grants and industrial financing, knowing this is the best way to create jobs and drive social inclusiveness. There has been progress on this front overall, but not much in the timber sector: why is this?

The ITTO Annual Market Discussion will address these two questions. It will examine the changing dynamics of African production, the demand for wood products, and what is needed to spur the development of the wood-processing sector.

The ITTO Annual Market Discussion will be held during the inaugural Trade and Markets Day at the 55th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council.
 

Foresterie et transformation du bois au Togo: defis et opportunites (Forestry and wood processing in Togo:
challenges and opportunities) 
Pyoabalo Alaba
Ingénieur des Eaux et forêts, Directeur Général de l’office de développement et d’Exploitation des forêts-Odef
(Water and Forest Engineer, Director General of the Office of Forest Development and Exploitation (ODEF) )

The Dynamics of Intra-Africa wood trade markets and implications for Sustainable development
Labode Popoola
President, West African Research and Innovation Management Association; Pioneer Director, Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Wood Processing in South Africa—Successes and setbacks
Roy Southey
Executive Director, Sawmilling SA

Industrial forestry plantations in Africa and their importance for developing timber industries—the case of Form Ghana
Rik Sools
Managing Director, Form International

Challenges for Ghanaian manufacturers—the support provided by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)
Seth Twum-Akwaboah
Chief Executive Officer, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)

Dreams to Industrialise—How can Africa achieve its long- postponed ambitions?
Mafa Chipeta
Retired FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and FAO Representative to the African Union, the UN Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Ethiopia.

Presentation of the Trade Statement prepared by the Trade Advisory Group