NFSPMC and SONACCOS Strengthen Bilateral Ties with MOU Signing
The National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) of The Gambia welcomed a high-profile delegation from SONACCOS, Senegal’s premier groundnut processing firm, this week, culminating in the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement, inked during a closed-door ceremony at NFSPMC’s headquarters, aims to deepen agricultural cooperation, streamline trade linkages, and fortify food security efforts between the neighboring West African nations.
Chaired by the NFSPMC Board of Directors Chairman and attended by the corporation’s Managing Director and senior staff, the event underscored a mutual resolve to address shared challenges in agro-processing and regional market integration. The MOU paves the way for joint ventures in technology transfer, capacity-building, and value-chain optimization, with a focus on boosting groundnut production—a critical crop for both economies.
Post-signing, delegates embarked on a tour of NFSPMC’s state-of-the-art groundnut processing plant, where technical teams exchanged insights on operational best practices and equipment modernization. The dialogue emphasized scalable solutions to enhance yield quality and reduce post-harvest losses, a persistent hurdle for farmers in the region.
The visit extended to The Gambia’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MoTIE), signaling robust governmental backing for the partnership. At the Ministry of Agriculture, discussions centered on sustainable farming practices and seed-quality improvement, while MoTIE talks reinforced the need for harmonized trade policies to ease cross-border commerce.
“This partnership transcends corporate interests—it’s about securing livelihoods and building resilience for our communities,” remarked the NFSPMC Managing Director. “By aligning Senegal’s processing expertise with Gambia’s agricultural potential, we can create a blueprint for regional prosperity.”
SONACCOS delegates highlighted the accord’s role in stabilizing raw material supply chains and expanding market reach for processed goods. “Groundnuts are more than a crop; they’re a bridge for economic unity,” said a SONACCOS representative. “This MOU is a catalyst for job creation and industrial growth on both sides of the border.”
The collaboration arrives amid rising global food insecurity and climate-related pressures on agriculture. Analysts predict the alliance will attract investment into mechanization and agro-processing hubs, empowering smallholder farmers while reducing reliance on imported food staples.
With Senegal and The Gambia accounting for a significant share of West Africa’s groundnut output, stakeholders anticipate the pact will amplify the subregion’s competitiveness in international markets, particularly in Europe and Asia. The move also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals to accelerate intra-African trade and industrialization.
As the delegation concluded their visit, officials from both nations expressed optimism that the partnership will inspire similar initiatives across the ECOWAS bloc, driving progress toward collective food sovereignty and economic transformation.
