Fairtrade Africa Celebrates 20 Years, Launches Ambitious Farmer-Centered Growth Plan.

Fairtrade Africa Celebrates 20 Years, Launches Ambitious Farmer-Centered Growth Plan.

From left, Madeline Muga(Fairtrade Kenya), Phillipo Amato (Delegation of Europeans Union), Hon. Noko Phineas(Fairtrade South Africa) and Lisa Prassack(Fairtrade international, Germany) addressing the press today at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

NAIROBI, Kenya – September 3, 2025

Fairtrade Africa marked its 20th anniversary today in Nairobi, Kenya with a landmark achievement investing over €700 million in more than 780 community-led projects across the African continent. The milestone reflects two decades of unwavering support for smallholder farmers and workers, and the organization is now setting its sights on a more sustainable, inclusive, and farmer-driven future.

Founded in 2005, Fairtrade Africa (FTA) is the continent’s largest producer-led network representing Fairtrade-certified farmers and workers across 33 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Over the past two decades, FTA has used its platform to deliver not just fair prices, but also dignity, opportunity, and empowerment to agricultural communities that have long been marginalized in global trade.

The €700 million investment has gone into building schools, health facilities, and climate adaptation programs, particularly in rural areas where such infrastructure was previously lacking. These projects have not only improved livelihoods but also strengthened cooperatives, enhanced climate resilience, and elevated community welfare.

FTA has placed a strong emphasis on gender equity by increasing women's representation in producer organizations. As of 2025, over 25% of leadership roles within Fairtrade cooperatives are held by women, up from single digits a decade ago, empowering them to make decisions traditionally dominated by men.

At the anniversary celebration, Fairtrade Africa unveiled its new three-year strategy as part of a broader “Next 20 Years Manifesto,” developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders, including farmers, buyers, and policy makers.

"The strategy focuses on six key priorities that is expanding access to local, regional and global markets, scaling regenerative agriculture to restore degraded land, training 10,000 young farmers with digital climate-smart tools, launching “Made by Africa” brands under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), strengthening producer governance and innovation, advocating for policy reforms, including sustainability incentives and traceability standards," Said Madeline Muga, Fairtrade Kenya.

Executive Director Isaac Tongola went ahead and reflected on Fairtrade Africa’s journey, “For two decades, Fairtrade Africa has walked alongside farmers and workers to ensure their voices are heard and their communities thrive. As we look to the next 20 years, our focus is clear, fairer prices, stronger communities, and sustainable trade that works for both people and the planet.”

One of the key components of the new strategy is a push for greater intra-African trade, especially through the AfCFTA framework. Fairtrade Africa plans to support regional trading arrangements and advocate for duty-free access to African markets for certified products.

"However, challenges remain, including weak infrastructure, limited value addition at source, and regulatory complexity. FTA is lobbying for governments to go beyond tariff reduction and adopt incentives for ethical production, including Tax breaks for certified Fairtrade products, mandatory sustainability certifications for high-risk sectors and government co-investment in smallholder agriculture," Said Hon. Noko Phineas, Fairtrade South Africa

True to its roots, Fairtrade Africa remains committed to ensuring that African farmers are not just beneficiaries, but co-creators of the systems that govern agriculture, sustainability and trade.

The organization is amplifying its voice in continental and global policy forums, advocating for shared responsibility in sustainable supply chains. It continues to collaborate with European and African partners to ease the flow of ethically produced goods while maintaining high quality standards and environmental safeguards.

As the world faces intersecting crises from climate change to food insecurity, Fairtrade Africa sees farmer empowerment not as charity, but as a foundation for resilient and equitable economies.

“Fairtrade isn’t just about price, it’s about partnership,” said Tongola. “We’re building a future where African farmers lead the way in sustainable agriculture, innovation, and trade.”

As it enters its third decade, Fairtrade Africa aims to transform African agriculture not just for profit, but for people and the planet.