The 11th annual Argus Africa Fertilizer conference

19-21 February 2020. Cape Town, South Africa. The 11th annual Argus Africa Fertilizer conference . The conference brings together attendees representing 150 companies from across the fertilizer supply chain.

#argusafricafertilizer
Extracts of the programme

Fertilizer Fast Track - a guide to global fertilizer production, trade and demand dynamics

• Insights into the nitrogen markets - Frances Wollmer (see picture), Principal, Fertilizer Consulting, Argus
• Developments in the potash markets - Oliver Hatfield, Vice President Business Development, Fertilizers, Argus
• A focus on the phosphate markets - Premium phosphate markets - Mike Nash, Editor for Fertilizer Content Development, Argus
• A snapshot of the sulphur markets - Oliver Hatfield, Vice President Business Development, Fertilizers, Argus

Roundtable discussions

•  Fertilizer supply and demand trends in Zimbabwe Tapuwa Mashingaidze, CEO, Chemplex Corporation 
• The market for enhanced efficiency fertilizers in Africa Dustin Beckerling, African Continent Manager, Koch 
• Agronomic Services West Africa Fertilizer Market Update Dr. Abdoulaye Dièye, WAFA Secretary - Research and Training, West Africa Fertilizer Association 
• Managing Crop Production in Acidic Soils in Ethiopia Sam Gameda, Senior Soil Scientist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Ethiopia 
• Soil vs foliar fertilization, and the addition of growth regulants or plant hormones Dr Steven A. Oosthuyse, General Manager, HortResearch SA

Panel discussion: Introduction to finance options for the African fertilizer supply chain
Financing options for SME’s ; Maintaining sustainable finance ; The importance of building relationships between the public and private sectors to achieve success 

• Marie Claire Kalihangabo - Coordinator, Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM), African Development Bank  - Keynote speaker
• Edward Mabaya - Manager of Agribusiness Development, African Development Bank - Moderator
• Charles Sesay, Finance Director, Rokel Bank 
• Kalim M. Shah, Chief Investment Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC) 
• Robson Mutandi, Country Director, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Panel discussion: Connecting the private and public sectors to improve value chain efficiency for fertilizer use and distribution
Successful business models; The role of financial institutions in supporting the fertilizer supply chain; Regional initiatives to improve access to finance 

• Pierre Brunache (see picture: left), - Consultant AFFM, African Development Bank - Moderator
• Asseta Diallo, (PhD), Program Officer, Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Systems, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) 
• Sheila Keino, Regional Director, New Business ande Partnerships, AFAP Malawi, Business and Technical Services Unit (BTS)

Case study: Mali’s success story – Achieving the Abuja Declaration objectives 

Agricultural transformation developments and strategies for ensuring value chain efficiency across the region 

• H.E. Josefa Sacko - Commissioner, Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union 

Panel discussion: The movement towards customised fertilizers for smallholders in Africa 
The importance of educating blenders, Soil testing, crop analysis and understanding research results, Opportunities for blenders in the region

• Dr Pieter Haumann, Chief Executive Officer, FERTASA 
• John Wendt, Deputy Director for Field Research, IFDC 
• Jeff Ivan, Director International Sales, AGI FERTILIZER SYSTEMS 
• Mark Goodwin, Manager International Business, Compass Minerals Developing multi-nutrient fertilizers for improving crop yield and quality - ICL Fertilizers 

Improving nutrient use efficiency with multi-nutrient products Compatibility with African crop types, Opportunities in Africa for multi-blend fertilizers

• Lilian wanjiru Mbuthia, Senior Agronomist, Eastern Africa, ICL Fertilizers 
• Tamir Richker, South and East Africa Sales Manager, ICL Group

Panel discussion: Digital transformation in agriculture 
The increasing importance of smart farming, The use of digital technologies among rural population and farmers, Sharing information and data collection, Investment in digital agriculture 

• Edward Mabaya, Manager of Agribusiness Development, African Development Bank 
• Marc Corbeels, Agricultural Researcher, AIDA Research Unit, CIRAD 

Introduction to Argus Sub-Saharan Africa report (Argus, December 2019, 575 pages)
National and regional markets for fertilizers in SSA, Key market sectors, players and products; Import/supply hubs and transport corridors 

• Oliver Hatfield - Vice President Business Development, Fertilizers, Argus 

Visualizing Insights on Fertilizer for African Agriculture (VIFAA) Program: A new fertilizer data platform for Sub-Saharan Africa What will the platform offer and who can use it? ; Project status update ; Applying data to key decision-making processes for governments and private sector actors 

• Charlene Migwe, VIFAA Project Manager, Kenya, Development Gateway 
• Diego Dimunzio, Software Developer, Development Gateway 

Panel discussion: Supporting small scale farmers with their fertilizer usage in Sub-Saharan Africa Challenges for small scale farmers; Import trends; What are the missing links in the value chain? 

• Carlos Zandamela, President, Mozambican Platform for Promotion of Fertilizer Use (AMOFERT) 
• Rob Groot, Director Business Development and Partnerships, IFDC 

Panel discussion: West Africa fertilizer market – Opportunities and challenges in the region Ghana's Fertilizer Expansion Programme and other regional initiatives; Regional security issues; Domestic production in Nigeria and import volumes 

• Anthony Selorm Kofituo Morrison, CEO Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana and Chair, West Africa Chamber of Agribusiness 
• Gideon Negedu, Executive Secretary, FERTASA

Panel discussion: Overcoming transport and supply chain challenges across Africa and recommendations for improvement 
Are transportation costs improving? Transportation availability ; Infrastructure developments 

• Gopal Chandak, Regional Head - West Africa and Asia (Fertilizer and Agri Inputs), Export Trading Group Gertrude Mashonganyika, Supplies and Logistics Manager, ZFC Ltd 
• Shujjat Alikhan, Vice President, IMGS Group 
• David Buruchara, Fertilizer Logistics Specialist, One Acre Fund

How will security restrictions in West Africa impact consumption volumes and agricultural outputs in this region? 

Impacts of urea restrictions; Balancing security gains against economic losses; Urea supply and demand outlook for 2020 

• Dr Innocent Okuku - Vice President, West African Fertilizer Association 

Panel discussion: Strategies for improving the African supply chain: From production to the farmer 
How can fertilizers be made more accessible for small scale farmers? The importance of private and public sector collaboration ; Fertilizer subsidies in Africa 

• Grace Chilande, Fertilizer Market Specialist - AfricaFertilizer.Org Coordinator, IFDC Kenya - Moderator
• Mahamadou Nassirou Ba, Economic Affairs Officer - Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Division, United Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) 
• Andrew Prince, General Manager - Supply Chain, Omnia

Upcoming event
26 May - 28 May 2020. Abuja, Nigeria. West Africa Fertilizer Forum