There is a new story being told about Africa. It is the story of a continent on the rise. African countries are improving their business climate and ease of doing business.
This year, Fairtrade Africa celebrates 10 years of producer support and representation within the international Fairtrade system – an achievement that would not have been possible without the support of UK brands, retailers and most importantly, consumers.
Through consumers voting for Fairtrade with their purses every day, Fairtrade Africa now represents 1 million producers and workers, represented through 400 organisations. The UK’s position as a development partner in Africa is clear. It is driven through a combination of hard investments and soft power – a unique combination that can be used to leverage both corporate and political behaviour on the continent.
I emphasise “behaviour” because there is need for change in this realm. To address poverty we must address the systemic issues of structure and opportunity. There is no denying that trade and enterprise growth offer opportunities for transformation of rural communities. However, structural barriers to trade are the stumbling block that requires policy intervention and investment.
The UK, in particular, has been a strategic investor in trade facilitation, improving ports, customs and licensing. Such investments have also contributed to improved intra-regional trade, providing new markets and the opportunity for businesses to supply locally as they graduate to global value chains.
But this is not enough.
For Fairtrade producers and workers, continued investment into rural enterprises represented by agricultural producer organisations and cooperatives is equally important. The proverbial tide is rising, lifting all boats of enterprise. However, not all the boats are seaworthy, or have competent crews on board. Is it any wonder then that we continue to see the shipwrecks of failed governments and leadership scattered along the shores of development?
A useful analogy in this context is one of the UK’s greatest exports – the English Premier League, which is followed by millions of African fans. In the “premier league” of official development assistance, the UK government is a key player. In 2013 the UK delivered on its pledge to spend 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) as official development assistance (ODA), becoming the first G7 country to meet this commitment.
It would seem illogical to expect “lower ranking teams” such as organisations of small farmers to compete on the same stage as the corporate premier league no matter how magnificent the stadium and facilities are . By not investing in these rural private sector enterprises we are preventing them from achieving world class performance and competitiveness. It is only through committed support that they will become stronger, skilful and ultimately sustainable.
Within the Premier League, every goal is celebrated, which brings me to the matter of the SDGs or global goals. Farmers and workers do not see these as mere successors or replacements of the MDGs. To developing countries the SDG framework represents a globally inclusive commitment to changing the world as we know it.
However, to change the world we need to change the way we do business. It cannot be business as usual.
And this is where Fairtrade come in. Our vision is a world in which all producers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future. We offer the UK government and businesses the global opportunity to collaborate and co-create value through trade while offering consumers quality tea, coffee, cocoa, sugar, cotton and beautiful flowers.
The Fairtrade commitment to a sustainable future for farmers is especially evident in our approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Fairtrade producers have selected climate change as their main programme focus for the next five years. This is in line with national priorities and the risks faced by our commercial partners. Our farmers have made small investments into maintaining biodiversity, reforestation and alternative energy. But the problem needs investment at scale.
It should be in the UK’s national interest to invest and support initiatives that are addressing the root causes of poverty, specifically trade injustice and the threat of climate change.
But we cannot talk about development without talking about the issues faced by youth. Enterprises at rural level provide systems that work in their communities. Gainful employment, social capital, inclusion and respect for human rights are strong deterrents to social upheaval. When a generation sees no opportunities locally they become candidates for migration and disaffection.
The next 15 years towards the target for achieving the global goals, offer the world an unprecedented opportunity to have a lasting impact on the future. And the UK, we believe, maintains a strong position among nations in demonstrating how development can be integrated with trade without being consumed by the latter.
But 15 years is a very short time. In Africa, for example, 15 years represents the age of a child who is just about to complete their first 8 years of primary school. This child will have had to overcome child mortality and diseases such as malaria , to overcome exploitation and the risk of child labour and, if it is a girl, overcome the risk of becoming a child bride.
When we talk about the SDGs let us keep in mind this child. Let us also keep in mind that the challenges set before the global community are what Fairtrade addresses through its certification, sales income and Fairtrade Premium income.
The challenges are real but so are the opportunities to deepen our impact. Fairtrade producers in Africa and globally are positioned to play their part. Their ability will be greatly enhanced by the support of a coherent UK trade and development policy.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by Fairtrade Foundation, sponsor of the spotlight on commodities series
