Local grains, including sorghum, millet, maize, and soybeans, offer immense advantages, making them ideal candidates for large-scale processing in Africa. These grains are not only rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and proteins, but are also climate-resilient, capable of withstanding high temperatures and arid conditions. They require less fertilizer and pesticide compared to other grains, making them a sustainable choice in the face of accelerating climate change.

“With these characteristics, local grains are ideal plants to be cultivated in Africa,” explains Thomas Ogundiran, Country Manager of Bühler Nigeria. However, harnessing the potential of these local grains comes with challenges. Factors such as low farming volumes, short shelf life, and a lack of process knowledge and industrial equipment have historically hindered their integration into large-scale food processing. The last of these is exactly what the GPIC is set up to address.

The opening of the GPIC comes at a critical time. Many regions in Africa are strong importers of grains, leaving them susceptible to external shocks. “Local grains offer many opportunities, not only to increase food security but also to generate new jobs in agriculture and adjacent markets, as well as enabling countries to become more independent from imports,” says Ogundiran.

The ambition is to help create a more sustainable food system that not only meets current demands but is resilient in the face of future challenges. Transforming the food supply chain in Africa is no small challenge. “This requires concerted efforts across numerous sectors, including agriculture, processing, recipe development, end-product innovation, and consumer engagement,” says Coumantaros.

The GPIC aims to be a catalyst for this systemic change, ensuring more Africans have access to affordable and healthy food, thereby reducing hunger and malnutrition. “Together with our partners, we at Bühler are happy to now contribute to this system change,” says Wick.

Bühler’s commitment extends beyond the immediate context of Nigeria or even Africa. The lessons learned and technologies developed at the GPIC have the potential to transform global efforts to improve food security. With its presence in 140 countries, Bühler is uniquely positioned to scale innovations and adapt them to different regional contexts.

Dr. Komla Bissi, a senior adviser on agriculture, trade, and value chains to the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, encapsulates the broader vision. “We must enhance our domestic production so that we can feed ourselves. The current import bill for food into Africa is many billions of US dollars a year − money we have to borrow,” he says. The efforts at the GPIC align perfectly with this vision, enhancing not just food production but processing and value addition within Africa.

Engaging the private sector, as Dr. Bissi points out, is crucial for catalyzing development along the food value chain. The GPIC exemplifies how public-private partnerships can yield significant benefits, both economically and socially. “The world should be able to feed itself, but we need to work together. There is hope and there are opportunities,” Dr. Bissi says.