African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) have officially kicked off the construction of the African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) in Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Benin on November 27th, 2024. This joint venture between Afreximbank and ARISE IIP marks a significant milestone in driving industrialization in Benin and the wider West African region.
The AQAC laboratory at GDIZ will provide top-notch testing, inspection, and certification services for food and agricultural products, ensuring that goods labeled “Made in Africa” meet the necessary safety and quality standards for both local and international markets.
With a focus on enhancing the compliance of African products with global standards, the AQAC aims to boost exports, support intra-African trade, and guarantee the safety of products for local consumption. ARISE IIP, a key player in pan-African industrial development and an affiliate of Afreximbank, recognizes the value that AQAC brings to the ecosystem at GDIZ, which prioritizes value addition and global competitiveness.
By situating the laboratory within GDIZ, several benefits will be realized, including enhancing the competitiveness of local products manufactured within the zone, such as cotton, cashew, animal feed, soya, pineapple dehydration, and sesame oil by ensuring they meet international standards. This move will also boost exports by enabling African products to compete effectively in the global market, strengthen local industrial capacity through cutting-edge quality infrastructure and technical expertise, and position Benin as a regional hub for industrial and commercial activities in West Africa.
Létondji BEHETON, Managing Director of GDIZ, expressed his excitement about the impact of the AQAC laboratory, stating that it will elevate the quality of locally processed products and open up new opportunities for exporters by ensuring compliance with international standards. Gagan Gupta, CEO of ARISE IIP, emphasized the project’s importance in enhancing quality control capabilities for African products, empowering local industries, and strengthening intra-African trade.
Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of Export Development at Afreximbank, highlighted the organization’s commitment to empowering African manufacturers and enabling their products to thrive globally through reliable quality assurance services. The establishment of the AQAC in Ogun State, Nigeria, which received accreditation by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), is just the beginning of Afreximbank’s plans to expand the initiative across Africa to enhance the continent’s quality infrastructure.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Afreximbank and ARISE IIP in launching the AQAC at GDIZ underscores their dedication to advancing industrialization in Africa and integrating the continent into global value chains. The project not only promotes economic growth and job creation but also sets the stage for Africa to become a self-reliant and globally competitive player in the industrial landscape.
