ACA Participates in the Cashew Investment & Exhibition Forum in Nigeria

On May 8, ACA Managing Director, Ernest Mintah participated in the Cashew Investment & Exhibition Forum organized by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). The forum welcomed over 70 participants from Nigeria and other countries in the sub-region.

 

In his key note address, the Executive Director/CEO of the NEPC stated that the objective of the forum is to bring together cashew processors, intending processors and exporting companies planning to venture into cashew processing as well as relevant federal government ministries, departments and agencies (MDA’s) in an effort to share cashew knowledge and roles in the value chain. Also present at the forum were development as well as financial institutions and partners who can lend support to willing investors.

 

During the forum, ACA gave a presentation on “Managing a cashew processing plant for optimal profitability”. The topic highlighted the cashew kernel market, cashew processing, business planning, and other factors to consider in ensuring successful cashew processing operations. The next presentation by a Top Certifier consultant was on the “Mandatory and voluntary global certifications as tool for accessing overseas market for cashew kernel”. The focus was on the type of certification a processing plant will need and the steps necessary to acquire food safety certification. The third presentation was held by a member of ACA, the Managing Director of FoodPro Nigeria Ltd, on the “Challenges militating against cashew processing in Nigeria’’. He spoke on the journey of FoodPro, reasons to support cashew processing in Nigeria and key challenges of cashew processing in Nigeria. The final presentation during the forum was on “Cashew financing’ delivered by a representative of NEXIM Bank. The representative spoke about the funding schemes the government has allocated to support the cashew sector of Nigeria.  The schemes were presented entailed: 1) 500 billion Naira Export Stimulation Facility (ESF) with NEXIM now playing a dual role as Managing Agent & Participating Financial Institution, and; 2) N50 Billion Naira Export Development Fund managed by NEXIM.

 

In their concluding remarks, the NEPC assured the private sector of more support for expansion of cashew processing in Nigeria.