Southern Africa
Southern Africa is a varied region with differences between the countries in terms of climate, topography and demography. Coffee, tea, cotton, fruits and sugarcane are all crops that thrive in the fertile soils of the eastern region (Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique) where rainfall is adequate. But small scale producers are often weakly organized and struggle to get access to markets and to credit for investments.
Developing sustainable supply chains
The Regional Expertise Centre (REC) Southern Africa, based in Botswana, was officially registered in 2007. It covers a large area and runs many programmes. The focus is on producer and certification support. Fairtrade certification increases the value of products, and provides producers with a stronger market position.
The REC is also of main importance to the Bioenergy programme in Mozambique, where it supports partner organizations in developing a sustainable supply chain for biomass energy.
Cases
We offer
REC Southern Africa works on sustainable supply chains in close collaboration with Solidaridad's worldwide network of expertise centres and local partners. Together we deliver the following services:
To producers
- Supporting agricultural producer organisations and industrial producer companies to qualify for social and environmental certification standards.
To companies
- Supporting companies to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) related to sourcing in developing countries.
- Developing sustainable business concepts in order to broaden the marketplace for sustainable products from developing countries.
- Supporting sustainable business initiatives with marketing and communication to inform business partners and consumers.
Other
- Supporting civil society organisations that empower women, farmers or employees, as well as organisations that protect nature and bio diversity.