In a significant move to bolster intra-African trade, trade finance bank, Afreximbank and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) have begun construction of the African Quality Assurance Center (AQAC) in the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Benin. The new center is set to play a pivotal role in improving product quality, compliance standards, and enhancing the competitiveness of African exports on the global stage.
Létondji Beheton, Managing Director of GDIZ, said, “The establishment of the AQAC laboratory within GDIZ is a game-changer for Benin’s industrial ecosystem. It will not only elevate the quality of locally processed products but also open new doors for our exporters by ensuring compliance with international standards. This initiative reinforces GDIZ’s role as a catalyst for economic transformation, creating jobs, attracting investments, and positioning Benin as a regional leader in value-added production and trade.”
Driving Industrial Transformation in Africa
The AQAC is more than just a testing facility; it symbolizes Africa’s ongoing industrial transformation and its move toward value-added production. Through state-of-the-art laboratories, training facilities, and support services, the center will ensure that manufacturers can meet both regional and international quality benchmarks. This, in turn, will position African products to capture a greater share of global markets and generate sustainable economic growth. By addressing quality constraints along supply chains, local producers can confidently pursue new trade opportunities, thereby increasing industrial sophistication across the continent.
Gagan Gupta, CEO of ARISE IIP, said, “This project underscores our commitment to working with Afreximbank to enhance quality control capabilities for African products. The AQAC Laboratory is a cornerstone in our vision to industrialise Africa and integrate it into global value chains. By ensuring that African products meet the highest international standards, this initiative empowers local industries, enhances export potential, and strengthens intra-African trade. With GDIZ as one of our flagship zones, this project confirms our commitment to building a self-reliant and globally competitive Africa.”
Boosting Intra-African Trade and Export Competitiveness
One of the primary objectives of the AQAC is to improve the competitiveness of African exports. By offering advanced quality assessments, certifications, and compliance checks, the center will help businesses adhere to international standards. This approach will not only simplify market access but also reduce regulatory bottlenecks that have historically hindered growth. As Africa intensifies regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the availability of such high-level testing and certification resources becomes crucial, paving the way for enhanced intra-African trade and smoother cross-border business transactions.
Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of Export Development, Afreximbank, added, “Our AQAC initiative reflects Afreximbank’s unwavering commitment to empowering African manufacturers and enabling their products to thrive in the global marketplace. By providing reliable quality assurance services, the AQAC enhances the competitiveness of African products, improves Intra-African trade, and ensures the seamless integration of these products into international markets, thereby advancing the continent’s industrialisation and economic diversification.”
Strengthening Sustainable Value Chains
The AQAC will serve as a critical component in fostering sustainable value chains across multiple industries. Given its proximity to GDIZ’s manufacturing hubs, the center will help ensure that products are ethically sourced, processed efficiently, and marketed responsibly. By promoting sustainability and consistent quality standards, the AQAC can enhance the reputation of African exports, encourage greater investor confidence, and stimulate the development of resilient industries. This will ultimately reduce Africa’s reliance on raw material exports, drive economic diversification, and build more robust regional supply networks.
Positioning Benin as a Regional Trade Hub
With the establishment of the AQAC by ARISE and Afreximbank, Benin aims to strengthen its position as a rising industrial and trade hub in West Africa. The country’s strategic location and its dedication to infrastructure development, as seen in the GDIZ, have laid the groundwork for future growth. The presence of a world-class quality assurance center will not only attract manufacturers seeking reliable certification services but also increase the likelihood of long-term partnerships and foreign investments, bringing lasting economic benefits to the entire region.
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