Launching the second Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Conference

6-7 September, 2016, Accra, Ghana

Investment in the palm oil sector in Africa is growing – bringing with it the potential to provide jobs, improve local economies and reduce rural poverty. Future growth in the sector is expected to help close the palm oil deficit and position the region to be a net exporter of palm oil.

The forum will bring together oil palm growers, civil society, financial institutions, supply chain actors, development partners, governments and key experts in the oil palm sector within Africa and beyond.

However, if not well planned and implemented, this growing industry could come with significant negative social and environmental impacts, leading to further rural impoverishment, land conflicts, deforestation and destruction of High Conservation Values.
Businesses in Africa are beginning to adopt sustainable practices in the production and trade of palm oil.

As the commitment to and production of sustainable palm oil increases in Africa in response to the growing global market, there are implications for local businesses and the small producers who dominate the palm oil industry in the region.

The Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Conference 2016 brings stakeholders together to discuss how to position businesses on the continent to adopt best practices in sustainability whilst mainstreaming small producers’ ability to access global supply chains. 

It follows on from the success of last year’s Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Conference, also organised by Proforest, Solidaridad and RSPO.