InfoSAWIT, KUALA LUMPUR – Africa is projected to become a pivotal force in the global palm oil market over the next decade, both as a major consumer and an emerging producer.
Jeremy Goon of Wilmar International said demographic expansion will drive structural demand growth across the continent. Africa’s population is forecast to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.
Speaking at POC 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, he noted that realising Africa’s potential depends on consistent policies, adequate infrastructure and clear land governance frameworks.
Industry leaders at the conference also stressed that land expansion can no longer be the main growth driver. Productivity improvements and operational efficiency must take precedence.
The continent’s trajectory, they argued, will test the balance between affordability, sustainability and competitiveness in the global vegetable oil trade. (T2)
