• info@africanbaobaballiance.org
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About Us

The Baobab Industry

The Baobab industry is one of Africa’s fastest-growing natural ingredients sectors. Baobab fruit are harvested in the wild by rural communities, contributing to rural economic empowerment and improved management of plant biodiversity in Africa.   

The Baobab Tree

The Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) is an icon of Africa. Widely distributed across the continent, Baobab is found in 32 African countries.
Map of distribution in Africa

Fruit, Leaves & Seeds

In every one of these countries there has been a long history of traditional use of the tree, encompassing its fibrous bark (used to make rope), its leaves (eaten as a leafy vegetable), its seeds (used to make oil and as a beverage) and its fruit (the nutritious pulp of which has long been consumed as an important food source). Because the tree has adapted to grow in very low rainfall areas, it is often found in places where few other plants survive.
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Rural Incomes

In addition to these traditional uses, the Baobab tree is also an important source of income for rural harvesters in Africa (the majority of whom are women). Growing demand for Baobab products means increased income to rural harvesters and increased opportunity for local value addition.
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Environmental Sustainability

Baobab trees have naturally evolved to suit local climatic conditions in Africa. The biggest threat to their survival comes from converting natural woodland to arable agriculture. Creating economic value from the sale of Baobab fruit products gives rural harvesters in Africa a strong incentive to manage and protect Baobab trees for future generations.
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Who We Are

The African Baobab Alliance is the industry association for players in the fast-growing Baobab value chain. Its members are active in producing, processing and adding value to Baobab products as natural ingredients for the food, beverage, cosmetics and personal care industries. 

Our objectives are:

To promote the growth of the Baobab industry for the benefit of Baobab harvesters across Africa.
To improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the Baobab industry.
To promote the adoption of common quality practices and standards across the Baobab industry.
To grow the demand for Baobab in local and international food and cosmetic markets.

The African Baobab Alliance is hosted by Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe, a non-profit research organisation focused on the economic opportunities for smallholders from commercial development of indigenous plants. 

Governance

The ABA is governed by a Management Board, elected by the full membership of the Alliance on an annual basis. The Secretariat (currently hosted by Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe) is responsible for day to day activities of the Alliance and reports to the Board.

Organogram:

1

Members

ABA members are drawn from all levels of the Baobab Value Chain.

2

Management Board

The Management Board is elected from amongst the membership and drive the implementation of the ABA’s annual workplaces.

3

Secretariat

The Secretariat are employees of the ABA, appointed by the Management Board. The Secretariat is housed by Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe.

Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe, who host the Secretariat of the African Baobab Alliance, are leading experts in the development of novel value chains from indigenous plants in Zimbabwe.  

BIZ Website