The FI Africa & ProPak MENA 2023 Talks served as the intellectual heart of the exhibition, where SME Consulting shared critical research and operational strategies with global industry leaders.

As the Official SMEs Consulting Partner, our experts addressed the most pressing challenges facing the $182 billion Egyptian F&B market, focusing on how technical innovation and supply chain optimization can drive long-term regional stability.

These sessions were not merely academic; they provided actionable frameworks for manufacturers looking to localize production and scale their operations across the Middle East and Africa.

The FI Africa & ProPak MENA 2023 exhibition is Africa’s premier event for the food ingredients, processing, and packaging sectors. Co-locating two global giants, Fi Africa for ingredients and ProPak MENA for packaging, the event hosted over 350 exhibiting companies and welcomed 10,000+ specialized visitors from 53 countries.

Embedded within the exhibition was the African F&B Value Chain Exhibition, a high-level conference track that focused on the themes of innovation, sustainability, and food sovereignty.

The expo provided a platform for policymakers and private sector leaders to discuss the AfCFTA’s impact on regional trade and the shift toward “first-level” manufacturing to reduce import dependency. It was within this prestigious summit that SME Consulting delivered its keynotes, shaping the strategic dialogue for the entire F&B ecosystem.

Speaker: Dr. Mohamed El Banna, Partner at SME Consulting

In this session, Dr. El Banna explored the technical complexities of the modern supply chain and its direct impact on food availability in Africa.

• The Industry Challenge: The African F&B sector currently faces a 100% price hike in basic commodities and a $14 billion import backlog in Egypt alone, driven by global disruptions like the Russian-Ukrainian war.

• Resilience Framework: Dr. El Banna proposed a shift toward “Integrated Logistics” to mitigate the 30% loss of farming expenditures caused by poor storage and inefficient transport.

• Strategic Solutions: The talk emphasized the use of uncultivated land (10-15% abandoned) and the adoption of bio-solution technologies to create a self-sustaining regional food network.

Lead Insights: Mostafa Nabil, CEO of SME Consulting

This session provided a data-driven investment map for the MENA region, focusing on high-growth potential and industrial localization.

• The Industry Opportunity: The Egyptian food market is witnessing a 7.32% CAGR, with specific segments like confectionery and snacks valued at $36.79 billion.

• Localization Index: Our analysis showcased how “first-level” manufacturing, transforming raw crops into pasteurized or treated ingredients, can offer high ROI by serving as a domestic alternative to expensive imports.

• Demographic Dividend: With 60% of the population under age 30, the talk highlighted the massive labor force available for labor-intensive manufacturing projects, making the region a prime destination for foreign direct investment.