Guidelines for establishment of the Apex Africa Dairy Alliance

Abstract

The Dairy sector is one of the fastest-growing agricultural value chains in Africa and contributes significantly to the continent's Agricultural GDP, sometimes exceeding 30% in some countries. It is a high-value crop and a vital source of income and nutrition for millions of people. Due to increasing market demand, the sector is experiencing impressive growth rates, projected at 1.7% per annum over he next decade (IndexPro, 2024). However, despite these impressive growth figures, the continent The Dairy sector is one of the fastest-growing agricultural value chains in Africa and contributes significantly to the continent's Agricultural GDP, sometimes exceeding 30% in some countries. It is a high-value crop and a vital source of income and nutrition for millions of people. Due to increasing market demand, the sector is experiencing impressive growth rates, projected at 1.7% per annum over the next decade (IndexPro, 2024). However, despite these impressive growth figures, the continent continues to grapple with nutritional challenges because dairy products are unaffordable to the majority, with average households needing to spend 10% or more of their daily income, resulting in low consumption and a huge nutrition gap as reflected in the high rates of malnutrition, stunting and wasting. Africa is a net producer of milk, but mostly of low-quality dairy products, and notably imports fat-filled skimmed milk (FFSM). With the global demand to reduce herds and milk production, Africa is predicted to be further impacted. Therefore, it is imperative and urgent for Africa to drive growth, expansion and upscale of its dairy sector. continues to grapple with nutritional challenges because dairy products are unaffordable to the majority, with average households needing to spend 10% or more of their daily income, resulting in low consumption and a huge nutrition gap as reflected in the high rates of malnutrition, stunting and wasting. Africa is a net producer of milk, but mostly of low-quality dairy products, and notably imports fat-filled skimmed milk (FFSM). With the global demand to reduce herds and milk production, Africa is predicted to be further impacted. Therefore, it is imperative and urgent for Africa to drive growth, expansion and upscale of its dairy sector.