1st day of the event. From left Mr Folorunsho, Director Nigeria export promotion council, Dr Maureen Duru of The Food Bridge, His Excellency Ambassador Inusa of Nigerian Embassy Belgium, Mrs Udo-Udofia, Director Nigeria investment promotion council and Mr Ade-Onojobi, a Director of  Manufacturers association of Nigeria.

 2nd day of event . From Left , Her Excellency Mrs Teneng Mba Jaiteh, the Gambian Ambassador to Belgium, Prof Gibril Faal , Director GK Partners and visiting professor LSE with Dr Maureen Duru of The Food Bridge vzw.

The Founder of the Food Bridge vzw Dr Maureen Duru, was one of the discussants on the  Thematic Session 3 - Developing Agro-industries and intra-African Trade in Agricultural Products,  at the ACP- EU event in Dakar Senegal held from the 6^th to the 8^th of November 2019.  This ACP-EU PSD Information, Knowledge Sharing and Networking event focused on the development of the private sector. In her contribution, Dr Duru highlighted the relevance of African Diaspora Entrepreneurs in the development of Africa and the need for policy makers, funders and governments to involve them in their plans.

During his speech at the closing event, the Gambian honourable minister of finance His Excellency Mr Mambury Njie, also emphasised the need to involve African Diaspora in the development plans of African countries. According to him, the African diasporas have  the skills and expertise needed in the continent.  Participants at the event included diplomats, policy makers, representations of trade unions and many entrepreneurs.

In the picture : Dr Maximin Emagna, Expert private sector; African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of states secretariate, Belgium, His Excellency Mr. Ahmed INUSA, Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, His Excellency Mr. Samuel Tamba MUSA, Sierre Leone Ambassador to Belgium, Dr Maureen Duru of The Food Bridge and Ms latifa-Ait Baala, Brussels parliamentarian . pictures courtesy of  Claus siebeneicher of photoresk

The 2019 African Diaspora Agrofood forum was 2 days of insightful presentations, discussions and exhibitions. We had policymakers, diplomats, African entrepreneurs, scientists and people from all sectors represented at the event.

At the opening event on the first day of the forum, all the speakers emphasized the potentials in Africa, the need for African diasporas to be key actors in all the sctors not just by investing but also by drawing investment to Africa. The Ambassadors in their respective presentations also spoke of important policies by their respective governments to promote investment especially in the agrofood sector. Dr Maximin Emagna's opening remarks focused on the ACP's investment opportunities for African Diaspora Entrepreneurship.

Mr Steven Dessein the Chief Executive Officer of Meise Botanic Garden in his presentation highlighted the need for scientific input in the agrofood sector. He also spoke about the research of the Meise Botanic garden scientists which are relevant to the African food security and  economy. 

We thank His Excellency Mr. Ahmed INUSA, Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, His Excellency Mr. Samuel Tamba MUSA, Sierre Leone Ambassador to Belgium, Dr Maximin Emagna, Expert private sector; African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of states secretariate, Belgium, Ms latifa-Ait Baala, a Brussels parliamentarian, all the participants and most importantly Mr Steven Dessein, CEO of Meise Botanic Garden Belgium for  hosting us and also for attending the opening event. The report will follow later.