But the main focus of the AFC remained the Fairtrade Africa Forum, where high-level expert speakers tackled agricultural and trade issues. This year’s theme was in line with Fairtrade Africa’s ultimate goal – to create ‘Effective trade partnerships for sustainable livelihoods in Africa’. The Ghanaian Trade Minister Hanna Tetteh, who was a key note speaker at the event, acknowledged the need for collaboration to support farmers and improve production while ensuring sustainable growth.

‘The Ghanaian government has a lot in common with Fairtrade. The question is how best to structure that engagement so that we can achieve the objectives we share,’ she underlined during her speech. Her announcement that the government would like to set up a partnership with Fairtrade, was met with a warm round of applause.

The regional network represents Fairtrade producers on issues related to standards. The North Africanmembers will work more closely together, exchange best practices, raise awareness on Fairtrade in their countries and set up a product network for dates.The next milestones will be in November when the region will hold its first General Assembly and will participate in the African Assembly, tobe held during the Africa Fairtrade Convention in Ghana.

‘Having our North African Network will strengthen our position and increase our involvement in the Fairtrade system.It will enable us to identify our weaknesses and strengths and how to better address these,’ explains NajahLabcheg from Hazoua Palm. ‘In short, our new membership will help us to develop our region.’

Tunisia’s capital Tunis was chosen as the office location due to the country’s relatively stable political situation. The new government also implemented legislation which makes the registration process for new organisations more straightforward. Tunis also proved to be the most cost-effective location.

Currently North Africa counts 13 Fairtradeproducers – six located in Egypt, five in Tunisia and two in Morocco – with more expected to become certified early next year. Key regional products are dates and fresh fruits.

For more information, contact Chiraz at c.skhiri@fairtrade.net

However, Fairtrade is now changing the landscape. Wakulimawa Macadamia TaitaTaveta (WAMATA) is a macadamia producing group in coastal Kenya that was certified in late 2010. Masasi High Quality Farmers Product Limited is a cashew nut producing group in Southern Tanzania that was certified earlier this year. With support from Fairtrade, these groups have worked hard to create transparent structures as well as engage long term trading partners. Farmers are now busy rehabilitating their abandoned orchards as well as replanting new trees. The two groups are already demonstrating success. There has been increased product quality and quantity.

While the West African region is well-known for its Fairtrade nuts production, it will only be a matter of time before East Africa will be making an impact on the market.

The survey confirms that consumers believe that their shopping choices can make a positive difference for farmers and workers in developing countries. They have high expectations of companies in combating poverty — 79 percent worldwide say companies can play an important role in reducing poverty through the way they do business. Shoppers’ top concerns are fair pay for farmers and workers and product safety.

Consumers understand Fairtrade’s role in providing clear benefits to farmers and workers. Among consumers who recognize the FAIRTRADE Mark, nine in ten regard it as a trusted label. The survey proves consumers do care about the people and the communities at the other end of the supply chain. They see the FAIRTRADE Mark as a facilitator—a trusted brand that bridges the gap between consumers and producers.

Does your organisation, or any of your partners, have connections with anyone associated with the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in your country? We are keen to hear about any links with athletes you may have. Ideally, we would love to find an athlete who has benefitted from an educational and/or sporting initiative that was funded by the Fairtrade premium. Do you know any of the trainers or anyone coming for the events to London from your country? Or can you think of any other way we could make a connection?

If you have ideas, please contact Veronique: v.verlinden@fairtradeafrica.net or +254 202 72 1930

‘This decision is path breaking, it’s a very progressive approach,’ says Michael Nkonu, Executive Director of Fairtrade Africa.  ‘We hope to get the message across to consumers on the importance of producer voices in any ethical certification scheme so that this decision will bring major growth.’

In the past, each member organization in the Fairtrade system received a vote in the General Assembly; hence the 21 labelling initiatives had greater representation than the three producer networks. The new decision balances the assembly and puts Fairtrade on a new level representing producer interests.

The General Assembly decides on membership issues, approves annual accounts, and ratifies new Board members and changes to the constitution. The past year has seen a number of changes as the global Fairtrade system strive to broaden, strengthen and deepen impact for all involved.

‘This agreement is a big step towards fulfilling our shared mission to empower farmers to build vibrant, sustainable livelihoods,’ says Barry Parkin, Mars Global Chocolate Vice President. ‘The commitment is our recognition of Fairtrade’s history of dedication to smallholder farmers and their efforts to enable farmer productivity and income improvements.’

Currently the annual world production of cocoa is 3.5 million and this is looking to increase to 4.5 million metric tons by 2020. Fairtrade and Mars would not have come in at a better time to merge their expertise. Read more here.

The microfinance fund will help producer organisations in rural, remote area improve the quality and development of their activities.

For more information, please click here.

22-26 NOVEMBER 2011
ACCRA, GHANA

Following our successful Fairtrade Africa Forum held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, in 2010, we will be organising the next Fairtrade Forum and African Assembly in Accra, Ghana. For the first time, Fairtrade Africa will set up simultaneously a Fairtrade & Organic Expo to create market opportunities for producers. Currently, no continental-wide agricultural exhibition, which brings producers and traders together to do business, is being hosted in Africa. Fairtrade Africa wants to change that.

What is in it for you?

• Producers – Introduce your organisation and products to potential buyers
• Traders/Licensees – Meet producers from all over Africa covering different products and get first-hand information on their goods
• NGOs and other parties – Showcase how you work together with Fairtrade to make a difference to the lives of African producers

Fairtrade Africa invites everyone who is connected to Fairtrade to join us in Ghana for this unique event.

For more information, visit our conference site here.

The group of 18 producers from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania learned from an external sustainability expert climate change not only offers challenges, but also holds opportunities. The KPMG consultant advised participants on how to access funds on local, national and international level.

‘It was interesting to note how we can benefit financially from implementing projects like energy saving stoves, water filters or bio-digesters,’ comments Rogers Siima, from Mpanga Tea Factory in Uganda. ‘But even regardless of the financial aids, the environmental impact of such schemes is significant.’

Another highlight of the Tea Product Meeting was when three Fairtrade organisations presented their solutions to tackle climate change on a local level. Water collection, waste separation, tree planting, energy saving, diversification of crops… the list of measures these tea cooperatives are taking is impressive and they are continuously checking what more can be done.

The solutions inspired the other tea farmers and everybody went home with new ideas on how to battle climate change on their own estates. You can be assured: Fairtrade tea farmers in Africa are making a difference.

An unexpected guest

Following the workshop, a Fairtrade delegation set up a booth to promote Fairtrade and Fairtrade tea at the EATTA exhibition. The booth welcomed a high-profile guest when Kenyan President Kibaki, who officially opened the exhibition, paid a surprise visit. As a small-scale tea farmer, President Kibaki is a member of Fairtrade’s Iriaini Tea Factory Company, so there was no need to introduce Fairtrade to him.