Posted on :Friday , 29th November 2019

Increasing investments in packaging in Africa will make small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the continent more competitive.  

There is a growing participation of women in the packaging industry, both as entrepreneurs and as employees. In Africa, many women focus on the issues of quality.

The packaging industry offers a wide range of possibilities for women. An evaluation is therefore fundamental to encourage their participation at all levels of the sector.

“Women entrepreneurs are particularly firm and demanding in their work. Their entrepreneurial spirit is highly developed. Quality is something that demands the respect of a large number of requirements and women are easily integrated into this approach” explains Perlive Rahaga Rabenitany from the Cabinet l’Action, Madagascar.

E-commerce platforms have high potential for African SMEs that could allow them to penetrate international markets.

However, more needs to be done to help SMEs meet the logistical, financial and traceability requirements of this niche.

The company “General Emballage”, based in Algiers, has established a partnership with a local university to develop a curriculum specifically dedicated to packaging.  

”Since 2013, we invest every year in the education of about 30 students. We offer them a two-year training, after which they are employed full-time by the company,” says Mr. Mohamed Bessa, Communications Director, General Emballage.

As part of the collaboration between ITC, the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) in Tanzania, and the government of Finland, a packaging centre has been set up in Dar es Salaam. Through this centre, local SMEs will be able to access packaging materials at prices that are more competitive than those of the market.

Opened last October, the centre will help SMEs to access local supermarkets as well as regional markets.