Regional workshop and training on the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative in Africa under the FAO–China South-South Cooperation Programme

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Government of Malawi, will organize the regional workshop and training on the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative in Africa under the FAO–China South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme from 21 to 23 April 2026 in Lilongwe, Malawi.  

The workshop will officially initiate project implementation across the participating countries, while launching activities in Malawi as the host country, focusing on the sustainable development of the banana value chain. It will also convene the OCOP National Task Force meeting for Malawi to strengthen national coordination and guide implementation. 

Launched in 2021, the OCOP initiative supports countries in developing sustainable value chains for special agricultural products. To date, more than 90 FAO Members have joined the initiative, promoting 56 products. In Africa, 35 countries are participating. Under the FAO–China SSC Programme, five countries have been selected as demonstration cases: Malawi (banana), Congo (cassava), Ghana (soybean), Lesotho (potato) and Tanzania (avocado). 

The workshop will bring together government representatives, technical experts, private sector actors, research institutions and FAO colleagues to share experiences, build capacity and strengthen collaboration. 

The programme includes technical sessions on sustainable production, seed systems, digital tools and market development, along with a field visit to banana production and processing sites. The OCOP National Task Force meeting will review progress and define priorities and next steps for implementation in Malawi. 

This event marks an important step in demonstrating how OCOP can drive more efficient, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems through innovation, partnerships and South-South cooperation. 

 

Target Participants 

• Government officials 
• Researchers and technical experts 
• Private sector representatives 
• FAO staff from headquarters, regional and country offices 
• Representatives from other OCOP demonstration countries 

Participating countries 

OCOP demonstration countries in Africa

• Malawi 
• Ghana 
• Lesotho 
• Congo  
• Tanzania

Other OCOP countries in Africa: 

• Liberia 
• South Sudan 
• Togo 
• Uganda 
• Zambia 
• Cameroon

 

For more information, please contact [email protected]  

 

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