Name: A commodities exchange for Ethiopia
Uploaded: 2007-10-25T01:00:00Z
Duration: 20 min 20 s
Description: Economist Eleni Gabre-Madhin outlines her ambitious vision to found the first commodities market in Ethiopia. Her plan would create wealth, minimize risk for farmers and turn the world's largest recipient of food aid into a regional food basket.

Economist Eleni Gabre-Madhin outlines her ambitious vision to found the first commodities market in Ethiopia. Her plan would create wealth, minimize risk for farmers and turn the world's largest recipient of food aid into a regional food basket.

A commodities exchange for Ethiopia

Transforming African agriculture means more than increasing yields; it requires empowering farmers with real choices. In Ethiopia, despite bumper harvests, 300,000 tons of maize were left to rot while millions faced famine, all because markets failed to connect supply to demand. By creating a commodities exchange tailored to local realities, small farmers gain access to transparent prices, risk management, and national trading networks. This shift promises a future where African farmers move from mere survival to driving growth and well-being.