ToH Portal Excites SCAA Coffee Buyers

In April, COMPETE and the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) launched AFCA’s newly-developed Taste of Harvest (ToH) web portal at the 24th Annual Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) event in Portland, Oregon. AFCA opted to have the launch at the annual SCAA conference because it is the most important coffee event in the U.S. and draws more than 8,000 attendees from across the world, the majority of whom are roasters and retailers – target audiences for the new portal.

AFCA’s ToH program is the leading cupping competition in Eastern and Southern Africa and is held annually in seven producing countries in the region. 

Read more...

Creativity, Design and Investment Opportunities Attract Textile and Apparel Industry to Origin Africa 2012 – Ethiopia

Origin Africa is a market awareness campaign led by USAID COMPETE in partnership with producers, designers, small businesses, exporters, buyers, and retailers who are dedicated to improving African trade. Origin Africa harnesses a powerful global trend in social entrepreneurship and works to develop profitable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial long-term relationships between U.S. and East African firms. In this way, USAID COMPETE is contributing to changing perceptions about doing business in Africa and helping to make the continent a preferred sourcing destination.

Read more...

Origin Africa 2012 - Ethiopia

Now in its third year, Origin Africa 2012 – Ethiopia will be one of the largest and most comprehensive Trade Expos in Africa with over 60 exhibitors from Africa, the U.S., Europe, India and China covering the entire fiber/textile/apparel supply chain as well as the home decor and fashion accessories sector. The Trade Expo is complemented by a world class seminar series and the Origin Africa Designer Showcase which features the best in African design talent.  The event will roll out over 4 days from 24 – 27 April at the Addis Sheraton and the African Union Conference Center.

EAGC Launches Enhanced RATIN at their 6th Annual General Meeting

The Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) held their 6^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Arusha, Tanzania on Friday April 20^th, 2011. This meeting was an important milestone for the association as this was the first AGM under the new EAGC Board leadership. The new EAGC management team showed a keen understanding of the association’s vision and mission during the meeting and a firm grasp of the EAGC technical program. The transition from the founding Board Chairman and directors to the new management team (including a new Chairman of the Board) has been seamless and indicates continued institutional growth of the association. COMPETE has worked with the EAGC throughout this process and continues to provide direct technical assistance and grant support to the EAGC to improve the association’s institutional capacity.

Read more...

ECA Hub Beneficiaries Share Success Stories

COMPETE welcomed members of the Chemonics Board of Directors and USAID East Africa mission to its office on March 21st to learn about the work of its East and Central Africa Global Competitiveness Hub (ECA Hub). The ECA Hub has built strong working relationships with its regional partners to expand export opportunities and to promote increased inter-regional trade, facilitating over $70 million in exports to the U.S. since April 2009. Seven COMPETE ECA Hub beneficiaries from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda shared their stories of what inspired them to start a business and how, through support from COMPETE, they are providing jobs and offering pathways out of poverty for thousands of East Africans.

Read more...