About NGARA

Who we are

The Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA) is a Pan African organization assisting African producing countries and partners formulate a coordinated strategy for the sustainable development of their natural gums, resins and allied dryland resources, for improving rural livelihood and environmental conservation. The organization focuses more on enhancing value chains for improving rural livelihood and environmental conservation.

The mission of NGARA is to position African producer countries and partners as major global players in the production, processing and marketing of gums, resins and allied tree based commodities from the drylands of Sub Saharan Africa.

Role of NGARA in the sector

NGARA brings together a broad set of stakeholders – farmers, collectors, traders, governments, non governmental organizations, exporters and importers – with a common desire to improve the production and quality of locally produced gums and resins for domestic, regional and global markets. NGARA has 16 member countries (Map below), and it aims to also bring on board other countries in Africa with gum and resin resources.

NGARA-regional-presence-in-Africa
NGARA-regional-presence-in-Africa

NGARA Regional Presence and its mission

Since its establishment in 2000, NGARA has collaborated with various key partners in the development and implementation of a wide range of projects.

Partners

Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
African Union Commission
African Union Commission
african-forest-forum
african-forest-forum

NGARA has four main objectives

Information Exchange

To promote the exchange of information on the production, marketing, processing and quality control of gums and resins in producer countries and with partners

Capacity strengthening

To facilitate access to technological development and training.

Research

To support relevant research in the key areas of the sector

Coordination

To promote links between primary producers, processors and end users

The Gums

Commercial gum resins – myrrh, frankincense and hagar – are also known as oleo gum resins; they contain an essential oil component, a water-soluble gum and an alcohol-soluble resin.

gums-for-empowerment

The Executive Board

Engr. Chidume-Okoro

Eng. Chidume Okoro

Chairman of the Board

Nigeria

Telephone: +234 8065540491
Email: gaconlimited@gmail.com

DR BEN CHIKAMAI

Dr. Ben Chikamai

Executive Secretary

Kenya

Telephone:  +254 722756483
Email: bnchikamai@gmail.com

SHEILA SHEFO MBIRU

Ms. Sheila Mbiru

Treasurer

Country: Kenya

Telephone: +254 721527994
Email: sheilambiru@gmail.com

DR MOCTAR SACANDE

Dr. Moctar Sacande

Member

Burkina Faso

Telephone: +39 3482640277
Email: msa4ande@gmail.com

Mohamed ElMukhtar Ballal

Prof. Mohamed Ballal

Member

Sudan

Telephone: +249 912948554
Email: mohamedballal@yahoo.com

PROF GODWIN KOWERO

Prof. Godwin Kowero

Member

 United Republic of Tanzania

Telephone: +254 721734864
Email: g.kowero@cgiar.org

MAISHAROU ABDOU

Mr. Abdou Maisharou

Member

Niger

Telephone: +227 96974182
Email: maisharou.abdou@yahoo.fr