In September 2024, Duchess Naturals Limited proudly participated as a strategic partner in the Trade Mission to Michigan, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at deepening economic ties between Africa and the United States. This mission brought together business leaders from across Ghana, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, and Gambia, fostering discussions on trade, investment, and collaboration opportunities in key sectors.

Building Bridges for African Exports

As a company dedicated to promoting African exports and sustainable trade, Duchess Naturals played a key role in advancing conversations around logistics, raw materials, and global market expansion. Our participation underscored our commitment to elevating African goods on the global stage, ensuring access to international markets while empowering women-led businesses within our supply chain.

Key Highlights from the Trade Mission

🚢 Expanding Trade Infrastructure:
Duchess Naturals joined discussions with the Port of Monroe and the Port of Detroit, exploring possibilities for a dedicated African Export Terminal in Michigan. This initiative would create a more seamless trade route for African raw materials and processed goods, boosting economic opportunities for exporters across the continent.

🌍 The Michigan-Africa Marketplace:
The trade mission laid the foundation for the Michigan-Africa Marketplace, a platform designed to connect African businesses directly with U.S. buyers and investors. This marketplace will provide visibility and accessibility for African products, including agricultural goods, processed food items, and natural commodities—sectors in which Duchess Naturals thrives.

💡 Technology and Innovation:
Duchess Naturals also engaged in strategic conversations around smart city solutions and digital transformation, exploring collaborations with Detroit-based tech firms to drive technological advancements in African agribusiness. These partnerships could revolutionize supply chain management, traceability, and eco-friendly production processes.

🏛️ Political Engagement & Policy Support:
Meetings with Michigan State Senators opened doors for legislative backing on trade policies that will benefit African exporters and Michigan-based importers, creating a stronger policy framework for sustainable trade relationships.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Africa-Michigan Trade

Following the success of the trade mission, Duchess Naturals is committed to:

📌 Supporting the launch of the Michigan-Africa Marketplace to provide a direct-to-market platform for African businesses.
📌 Developing a tech partnership roadmap to integrate innovation into African agribusiness.
📌 Driving the next phase of engagement, including a Michigan Trade Mission to Africa in Q1 2025, bringing American investors and businesses to explore opportunities across the continent.

Duchess Naturals: Pioneering African Trade on the Global Stage

As a leading exporter and advocate for sustainable trade, Duchess Naturals remains at the forefront of Africa’s global expansion efforts. Through strategic partnerships, policy engagement, and innovative solutions, we are building a future where African products thrive in international markets. The Michigan Trade Mission was just the beginning—we look forward to driving more initiatives that bridge Africa to the world.

📍 Stay tuned for more updates on our global trade initiatives!

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