FROM MAGAZINE: Flower & Perishable Logistics Africa: Conferences open in Nairobi

Following two successful editions of Flower Logistics Africa (FLA), the event once again returns to Nairobi, Kenya for its third edition on November 20, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Bringing additional value to the participants and to Africa’s perishable exporters, the second edition of Perishable Logistics Africa (PLA) will also take place at the same venue on November 21.

Flower Logistics Africa, with ‘Cold Chain Protocols and Common Standard: Keys to Africa’s Flower Industry’ as the core theme, will delve deep into developments in time & temperature-controlled logistics and packaging solutions. FLA 2018 will revisit some of the deliberations made last year on the need for standardisation that will enhance exports and gain traction for Kenya’s flower industry in the global market. Some of the speakers include Clement Tulezi, CEO of Kenya Flower Council; Peter Musola, Cargo Commercial Manager at Kenya Airways and John Mathenge, Executive Director of Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA).

The second edition of Perishable Logistics Africa (PLA) themed “Collaboration: The Road Ahead to Improve Logistics for Africa’s Perishable Produce” will amplify the call to create industry collaborations to improve Africa’s perishable exports through better logistics network and cold chain infrastructure. Some of the speakers include Jane Ngige, National Coordinator of the Kenya Horticultural Council; William Ojonyo the Chairman of Kenya International Freight & Warehousing Association (KIFWA) and Hosea Machuki, CEO of Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK).

The agenda for FLA’s panel discussion will include setting cold chain protocols, innovation in packaging solutions, and improving flower transportation in Africa. On the other hand, PLA will discuss on impact of supply chain changes on perishables carried through air, how global trade agreements can change the appearance of Africa’s perishable export, and how mergers and collaborations impact logistics business.

The events have received industry support from Kenya Flower Council (KFC) as official industry partner, Cool Chain Association (CCA), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) as the supporting partners. The sponsors include Holland Flower Alliance, Kenya Airways Cargo, Saudia Cargo, Liege Airport and many more.

The two conferences are aimed to open dialogue and facilitate sharing of ideas, knowledge and practical solutions to improve logistics and supply chain performance of key perishable commodities exported from African countries. The two-day event, covering both flower and other cargo commodities like fruits, vegetable and meat, seeks to develop modern and cost efficient logistics and supply chain infrastructure within the African continent. Earlier in the year, African leaders signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a single market for goods and services in Africa. With this FTA, the market size is expected to include 1.7 billion people with over US$ 6.7 trillion of cumulative consumer and business spending by 2030.

FLA and PLA will bring under one roof global and regional providers of cold chain logistics, transport services and infrastructure, and will meet with Africa’s flower and perishable producers and shippers. This is in line with the Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which was launched to liberalise and unify the African skies. The platform also provides participants to identify new opportunities that will allow African exporters to compete in global markets. The events will help participants connect with the right set of resources to understand and implement solutions that will optimise your supply chain. The event is specially curated with topics that matter to your industry and speakers who influence your business.

The event is organised by Logistics Update Africa (LUA), one of the four publications from STAT Media Group, the first-ever business to business trade publication in transport and logistics in the world.