OUAGADOUGOU: The Minister of Environment, Roger Baro, officially inaugurated the 3rd edition of the Africa Food Packaging (AFoodPack) trade fair in Ouagadougou, focusing on the future of agri-food packaging in Africa. The event, organized by ICE-T Investment, brings together approximately 600 participants over a two-day period to explore sustainable and innovative solutions for the industry.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the trade fair is themed “Vocational training opportunities in the agri-food packaging industry in Burkina Faso.” Minister Baro emphasized the significance of the exhibition in the context of environmental protection, particularly as the Burkinabe government has recently introduced a draft law aimed at banning plastic packaging. The Minister highlighted the forum’s role in encouraging behavioral change across Burkina Faso towards more sustainable packaging solutions.
The Agri-Food Packaging Show serves as a platform for both local and international stakeholders to converge on the
issues facing the packaging industry. It aims to push forward a sustainable agenda for Africa’s packaging sector by focusing on four key priorities. The first priority is to enhance local capabilities through partnerships with educational institutions to create specialized academic programs. The second priority focuses on innovation and technology, encouraging investment in research and development to create eco-friendly packaging materials suited to local markets.
The third priority underscores the importance of sustainable development by promoting circular economy practices, minimizing single-use plastics, and increasing material recyclability. The final priority calls for strategic partnerships among governments, private enterprises, academic institutions, and NGOs to foster an ecosystem supportive of innovation and entrepreneurship in the packaging sector.