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Tantan – OCP Group has put a strong spotlight on the role of women in transforming Africa’s food systems during a high-level that took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Morocco organized the event on the sidelines of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), bringing together senior officials, international organizations, and development partners to discuss food security and agricultural transformation across the continent.
Representing OCP through its subsidiary OCP Africa, CEO Hajar Alafifi highlighted the company’s growing role in supporting African agriculture. She noted that OCP Africa’s programs now operate in more than 40 countries and benefit over four million smallholder farmers.
Alafifi noted that OCP, with more than a century of expertise, is a global leader in phosphate-based fertilizers and plant nutrition solutions. She said the company’s mission is to ensure access to phosphorus, a key element for crop growth and global food security, while helping farmers improve productivity in a sustainable way.
The fertilizer giant focuses on supporting farmers to increase yields while promoting environmentally friendly practices. Through OCP Africa, the group develops tailored solutions for soil and plant nutrition, adapted to the specific needs of African soils and crops.
The company also works closely with governments, financial institutions, and international partners, including the World Bank, to build local production capacity and improve access to affordable agricultural inputs.
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A key theme during the discussions was the central role of women in Africa’s food systems. Participants noted that women produce up to 70% of the food consumed on the continent, yet they face major challenges such as limited access to land, financing, and markets.
OCP highlighted the importance of investing in women farmers through training, innovation, and better access to agricultural resources. The company sees women’s empowerment as essential to improving food production and strengthening the resilience of food systems.
Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the UN, chaired the broader event, which also addressed the challenges facing African agriculture, including climate change and soil degradation. Speakers called for stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector, and international organizations.
They stressed the need for sustainable agricultural practices, stronger regional markets, and increased investment to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential.
For OCP, these efforts are part of a wider vision to contribute to global food security while supporting the development of African agriculture. The group aims to play a key role in feeding a growing global population by combining innovation, partnerships, and a focus on farmers’ needs.
Participants concluded that empowering women and supporting farmers with the right tools and resources will be critical to building more resilient and sustainable food systems across Africa.
