Irish charities merge to strengthen trade links with Africa

Irish non-profit Traidlinks has merged with Gorta-Self Help Africa in a move designed to build on Traidlinks' success in facilitating trade on the African continent.

Since 2004 the company has supported over 120 export-orientated businesses across the continent of Africa and in 2016 Traidlinks helped over 20 Rwandan companies achieve nearly $1 million export sales in regional markets.

The merger of the two groups comes as the government launches the latest phase of its Africa agri-food development programme, an initiative designed to support partnerships between Irish and African agri-food companies.

“Business can and is making a real difference in building economies and reducing extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

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"Rural poor communities need markets, they need jobs, and they need a fair price for their goods and services, and we believe that by working together we can play a vital role in facilitating that to happen," said Ray Jordan, chief executive of Gorta-Self Help Africa.

Cork businessman Maurice Healy, the outgoing chairman of Traidlinks, said the merger would strengthen efforts to increase trade with East Africa.