Argus Fertilizer Africa Conference

• The importance of the agricultural sector to Kenya’s economy: how is this sector growing and what are future aspirations?
• How is the government supporting the fertilizer market through the current crisis? What lessons were learnt from covid 19?
• How are smart applications of fertilizers being incentivised in line with mitigating impacts of changing weather patterns?

• How are governments and players across the value chain working together to create an ecosystem for thriving agricultural economies including adoption of fertilizers?
• Creating a robust environment for intra-African trade: how is this being incentivised and why is it important?
• How can private and public players join efforts to facilitate adequate agricultural production and reduce reliance on food imports?
• Tackling the threat of climate change in the long term on global food systems: what initiatives are in place? What were the main outcomes from COP27?

Speakers:

Michael Sudarkasa, CEO, AFAP

• Emerging from covid 19 and the war in Ukraine: what does the current European crisis mean for the African fertilizer market?
• What are the main challenges and opportunities presented region by region in Africa for industry players?
• How is industry working with governments and NGOs to mitigate the impact of global high fertilizer prices with a view to safe guarding food security and agricultural production in Africa?

Moderator: Tim Cheyne, SVP Fertilizers, Argus

Speakers:

Ashish Lakhotia, CEO – Fertilizers and Agri Inputs, ETG

Jason Scarpone, Chief Sustainability Office & Executive Board Member, IRM & AFAP

Dr. Ashraf Talaat, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Global Alliance Evergrow-CFC

Habiba Mouttaki, VP Sales and Marketing, OCP Africa

• How are global commodity and energy markets reacting to current global conditions?
• Market conditions in agricultural markets and what are the implications for Africa? And specifically on fertilizer markets?
• What are the main market trends in raw materials and how are they feeding into global fertilizer prices? How are natural gas prices impacting nitrogen and NPK prices?

• How is the global fertilizer market faring after multiple supply side shocks? What pricing trends are being seen across N, P and K?
• How has fertilizer production and consumption patterns changed in Africa region by region?

Interviewer: Mike Nash, Senior Editor, Fertilizers, Argus

Speaker:

Uwadiae Osadiaye, Senior Vice President, Equities, FBNQuest Merchant Bank

• NPKs: What has the non-availability of products and dependence on international markets meant for NPK prices for Africa?
• What have been the implications for importers and traders in different regions? What logistical challenges have been faced, including high freight prices?
• How have blenders and manufacturers adapted their production and how have distributors changed their behaviour? 

Moderator: Matthew Lisley, Manager- Consulting, Argus

Speakers:

Andre Gayraud, Director – Global Fertilizer & Input Logistics, One Acre Fund

Sebastian Nduva, AfricaFertilizer.Org Program Lead, IFDC Kenya

• What products are available for improving access to fertilizer sector financing? How can financing be accessed?
• How to incentivise lending into the fertilizer sector? What are the main barriers to access for trade financing for regional players? How can this be improved?
• How are private public partnerships working? What has worked and what hasn’t? Key examples country by country 

Moderator: Tim Cheyne, SVP Fertilizers, Argus

Speakers include:

Hedwig Siewertsen, Head of Inclusive Finance, AGRA

Michael Sudarkasa, CEO, AFAP

• How are manufacturers and blenders adapting to the market conditions?What are the advantages and disadvantages of bulk blends vs NPK granulation?
• What are main needs to sustain business? What are the major regional challenges and how are governments supporting the sector?
• Case study: sustaining an NPK granulation plant

• Introduction to IK Group
• Case study: Northern Africa activties and operations

• Addressing issues of source, supply chain from ports: how to improve distribution from ports inland? What are the main bottlenecks?
• What partnerships exist along the value chain and what role will they play in unlocking access to fertilizers?
• What are some of the key initiatives from industry and government to improve transport and logistics to sustain markets long-term?
• Visibility on increase of prices for landlocked vs coastal countries: How high are fuel prices and can the impact of this be minimised? How is this impacting distribution of fertilizers?

Moderator: Morgan Ahendra, Global Logistics and Fertilizer Procurement Associate, One Acre Fund

Speakers: 

Daniel Tanui, Managing Director, Mitchell Cotts Group 

David Kyalo, Supply Chain Manager, Yara East Africa

Gopal Chandak, Chief Executive Officer, Fert-Agro

• Who is providing infrastructure and project financing and what are they looking for?
• What role do development banks play in incentivising infrastructure development and investment? Why is it so important?
• What are the main challenges in accessing this type of financing? How to improve access for the fertilizer sector?

• How to manage risk on projects?
• How to reduce cost and increase volume of commercial financing and capital investment?

Phosphate rock projects: land of opportunity?

Short Presentation & Introduction

• Argus view: resources and reserves picture in Africa

  Speaker:

  Matthew Lisley, Manager – Consulting, Argus

Panel discussion

• What new projects are emerging? When are they likely to come online?
• What are the main challenges and hurdles being faced by project developers?
• What further support is needed to get these projects off the ground? What role could key buyers play?

Moderator: Matthew Lisley, Manager – Consulting, Argus

Speakers:

Anup Modha, Executive Director, Minjingu Mines & Fertiliser 

• How can end-to-end systems help improve market access to smallholder farmers through optimisation of cost of input?
• What did we learn from the covid 19 pandemic and how has this changed the market?
• How can technology be used for smarter fertilizer application through real-time soil mapping and waste reduction?  

• Connecting the dots: the fertilizer industry’s role in educating the market on sustainable fertilizer application and nutrient management?
• How can soil mapping lead to meaningful sustainability for agriculture? Case studies 

• Zinc, sulphur, boron: Why are micronutrients important? What impact can they have on yield?
• What micronutrients are being used where according to crop type?
• How is adoption facilitated by soil mapping? How do they contribute to sustaining soil health?

Country case studies:

• Rwanda - Dr. John Wendt, Deputy Director, Field Research, IFDC
  

• How are specific countries using specialty products? Why are they beneficial?
• What products are being adopted? What crop types are they being used for?
• How can specialty products be used to mitigate changing weather patterns and water scarcity concerns? How can they help maintain soil health and longevity of agricultural sector?

Moderator: Michael Kamau, Deputy Director – Agricultural Inputs, Gatsby Africa

Speakers:

Murari M Rakshit, Founder & CEO, Nutrisource Pte Ltd

Luciano Lucero, VP Technical Sales, Innovar Ag

Lilian Wanjiru, Senior Agronomist East Africa, ICL Fertilizers

Relax into the evening and build those critical business relationships with industry peers, recognising and celebrating both individuals and businesses who have excelled and demonstrated commitment and innovation across diverse areas of the African fertilizer value chain this year. For more details visit the Awards page.

• What are the opportunities for Africa both regionally and internationally in the medium and long term in developing renewable hydrogen capacity?
• Where are some of the hotspots in the continent and what are some the major developments and commitments being made by governments and private sector?
• What are the main advantages of green vs blue developments for African fertilizer market players in the long-term?

• Projects in Morocco and Egypt: what are the main drivers for these green projects? What stage of development are they at?
• How might partnerships for offtake help achieve production at scale?
• How might existing pipelines be adapted for ammonia transport? How feasible is this and what are the main opportunities for Africa? 

• What are the hopes and aims for the Africa Union summit?
• What are the key areas of focus and how will industry and governments work together to sustain agriculture in Africa?
• Kenya’s net zero pledge by 2030: how does agriculture fit into this? Why is this important for adapting to climate threat? 
• How to increase consumption of fertilizer on the African continent in a future proof way? 

Moderator: Tim Cheyne, SVP Fertilizers, Argus

Speakers include:

Anthony Morrison, CEO, Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana

Vanessa Adams, VP Strategic Partnerships, COP, Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa, AGRA

Femi Akinrebiyo, Global Manufacturing and Global Trade Supplier Finance Manager, IFC

Michael Sudarkasa, CEO, AFAP

Boniface Akuku, Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)