AALI’s key objective is to influence political leadership to prioritize agricultural transformation in country agendas, and to present investment opportunities in agribusiness to international investors. One way by which AALI is realizing that is through its participation in the DRC-Nigeria Business Council.
The business council was birthed upon the recommendation of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and Patron of AALI, with the support of President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of DRC, in November 2022.
Chief Obasanjo described the council as a platform that will enable Africans to come together for greater economic prospects of the continent, across various sectors. Former President Obasanjo made this recommendation in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo in November 2022, when he led two Nigerian Governors, four industrialists, security and energy experts among others on an investment drive to the DRC.
AALI is using this platform to advocate a vibrant and bold African leadership, supported by experienced African agricultural and business professionals, to catalyze public and private investments, thereby accelerating and sustaining Africa’s needed agricultural transformation, particularly among its poorest households, women and youth.
Dr Nteranya Sanginga, President of AALI and the business council, emphasized that we operate with the business mindset open up discussions on the areas of business interest in the DRC and Nigeria. He emphasized that the Council itself must operate with the business mindset, because both countries have a big market, the political environment, economic potentials, especially in the agriculture sector.
AALI’s position is that agriculture be viewed as a business that attracts the private sector and investment from governments and development banks to stimulate and modernize its advancement.
Meanwhile, the DRC-Nigeria Business Council has also noted that an important area of interest that can stimulate its quick impact is Agricultural Transformation in Africa. This stems from the conclusion of “Feed Africa Summit: Food Sovereignty and Resilience” held under the Chairmanship of H.E. President Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and H.E President A. Adesina of the African Development Bank, in Dakar, Senegal, January 25-27, 2023. Thirty-four Presidents and Heads of States participated in this meeting and agreed to prioritize agribusiness and stimulate the private sector investment in this area.