(First Alert 4) St. Louis Delegation Builds Trade Ties with Rwanda and Kenya

First Alert 4 featured the St. Louis trade mission to Rwanda and Kenya, exploring how international partnerships could open markets for local businesses and connect the region’s agricultural expertise with growing demand.

World Trade Center St. Louis Executive Director Tim Nowak discussed Africa’s growing economies and the opportunities for St. Louis businesses, universities, and research institutions to build relationships now. During the trip, St. Louis and Kigali formalized their sister-city relationship.

Danforth Center President Giles Oldroyd, PhD, highlighted the Center’s agricultural research partnerships in Rwanda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, including work to develop virus-resistant cassava. He explained that private-sector partners are essential to getting improved crops into farmers’ hands.

For the Danforth Center, strengthening those connections can help translate research into crops that improve food security. For St. Louis companies, Africa’s expanding agricultural sector offers opportunities to bring technologies to new markets and participate in that growth.