Durban Visit Report – 16 Sept 2025
Strengthening Africa’s Role in the Global Moringa Value Chain
Executive Summary
On 16th September 2025, a delegation from 4usfarms (Ghana), led by Torgbui Satsrim-Sodokpo (Owner & CEO), undertook a strategic visit to Durban, South Africa, to strengthen 4usfarms role in the global moringa value chain. The visit, organized in partnership with Moringa Initiative (South Africa), widely recognised as Africa’s most trusted and leading source of moringa, provided valuable exposure to best practices in moringa cultivation, processing, logistics, and global market integration.
The delegation engaged in site visits and knowledge sessions with logistics providers, social enterprises, and moringa processors.
Key highlights included:
- Advanced logistics and warehousing solutions at GAC Laser International Logistics, ensuring efficient global distribution.
- Inclusive production models at Saint Giles NPO, where physically challenged individuals are integrated into moringa value-added processing.
- Operational excellence and industry leadership at Moringa Initiative’s Head Office and Distribution Centre, covering global certifications, traceability, product diversification, and best practices that set the benchmark for Africa’s moringa sector.
The engagements revealed critical lessons for 4usfarms:
- Technical expertise across the value chain is vital for scaling.
- Global market access requires long-term investment and compliance.
- There is growing international demand for certified organic moringa and products backed by Certificates of Analysis (COA).
- Traceability and food safety compliance are non-negotiable for competitiveness.
- Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are central to building Africa’s presence in the global moringa industry.
Overall, the Durban visit provided a blueprint for transforming Africa’s moringa sector from raw material supply to global leadership in premium moringa products. For 4usfarms and its Ghanaian partners, the experience reinforced the importance of innovation, compliance, and partnerships as pillars of sustainable growth.
Introduction
In pursuit of enhancing 4usfarms competitiveness in the global moringa industry, Torgbui Satsrim-Sodokpo, Owner & CEO of 4usfarms (Ghana), led a strategic delegation to Durban, South Africa.
The primary objective of the visit was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the moringa value chain—from cultivation and processing to product distribution and global market integration.
Following discussions with Joshua Haruna of AMH Online & Moringa City, Moringa Initiative, under the leadership of Lloyd Abernethy, was identified as an ideal partner to provide technical and operational insights. With the support of Lloyd Abernethy, Director of Moringa Initiative, the tour was successfully organized.
The Ghanaian delegation departed Accra on 14th September, arrived in Durban on the 15th, and commenced official engagements on 16th September 2025.
Delegation
Torgbui Satsrim-Sodokpo (Ghana)
Owner & CEO, 4usfarms
Joshua Haruna (Ghana)
AMH Online & Moringa City
Didi (South Africa)
Lloyd Abernethy (South Africa)
Director, Moringa Initiative
The delegation included:
- Torgbui Satsrim-Sodokpo – Owner & CEO, 4usfarms (Ghana)
- Joshua Haruna – AMH Online & Moringa City (Ghana)
- Didi – South Africa
With our Host Partner:
- Lloyd Abernethy – Director, Moringa Initiative (South Africa)
Site Visits and Key Activities
1. GAC Laser International Logistics, Durban
The delegation toured a 40,000 m² GAC warehouse, a central hub where Moringa Initiative stores and manages its export-ready products with systems designed to meet the highest global standards.
Key Highlights:
- Advanced bulk moringa storage systems designed for quality preservation
- Efficient logistics operations enabling smooth international distribution
- Best practices in handling, preservation, and compliance
This visit underscored the critical role of robust logistics and warehouse management in scaling moringa operations for global markets.
2. Saint Giles NPO for the Disabled
Saint Giles is both a manufacturing partner and a social enterprise hub, employing physically challenged individuals in value-added moringa processing.
Activities:
- Food Safety Orientation (Mdu Dube, Supervisor): Delegation equipped with boots, hair nets, ear covers, and overalls
- Food Safety Audit System (Jean Erasmus, Quality Assurer): Covered internal audits, pest control, and contamination prevention
- Production Process Walk-through (Trevor Naidoo, Production Controller): Focused on packing, labeling, and herb preparation
Location: 4 Prince Street, Durban | Operating since 1962
Moringa Initiative’s dedicated moringa unit within Saint Giles, overseen by Mr. Abernethy, highlighted tea bag and capsule production lines with stringent quality control and traceability measures.
This engagement reinforced the value of inclusive growth models, where commercial production coexists with social impact.
3. Moringa Initiative – Head Office & Distribution Centre
Location: 2 Wareing Road, Unit 39 Wareing Park, Pinetown, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Activities:
Knowledge Session:
- Quality control systems
- Facility design for operational efficiency
- Global moringa market trends & Africa’s positioning
Product Portfolio Review:
- Moringa Tea
- Moringa Powder
- Moringa Capsules
- Bulk Moringa
- Animal Feed & Pet Supplements
- Moringa Oil
Quality Assurance Training:
- Reading and interpreting Certificates of Analysis (COA) on analytical results on Coliforms, Escherichia Coli, Listeria Monocytogenes, Salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus, TMA, Yeast and Mould, etc.
- Understanding acceptable quality parameters
- Navigating international certifications (e.g., FSSC 22000, etc)
This session reinforced Moringa Initiative’s role as Africa’s benchmark operator, and Lloyd Abernethy’s position as a leading authority on compliance and quality systems within the moringa industry. His practical knowledge of facility design, traceability, and certification standards provided a blueprint for building globally competitive moringa enterprises through innovation and strict standardization.
Lloyd, together with AMH, will be reinforcing the importance of quality moving forward. Lloyd will be presenting on this topic in the following AMH presentations where he will be highlighting and equipping us with the tools needed to read a CoA and interpreting such results.
Key Takeaways
- Advanced Expertise is Essential: Scaling moringa operations requires mastery across cultivation, processing, and distribution.
- Market Entry is Gradual: Success in international markets demands sustained commitment, investment, and patience.
- High Demand Exists for:
- Organic-certified moringa
- Conventional moringa supported by valid COAs and Food Safety Certification (FSSC22000).
- Products meeting global food safety certifications
- Traceability & Quality Assurance are Non-Negotiable: These remain the pillars of global competitiveness.
- Collaboration is Key: Strategic partnerships, expert guidance, and knowledge sharing are central to success in the global moringa industry.
Conclusion
The Durban visit offered 4usfarms and its Ghanaian partners first-hand exposure to the operational realities of the moringa value chain, from warehousing and manufacturing to compliance and market positioning.
Engagements with Moringa Initiative and its partners reinforced that Africa’s future in the global moringa industry will be shaped by pioneers who combine deep expertise, innovation, and compliance.
Moringa Initiative’s vision of being Africa’s most trusted source of moringa is clearly being put into practice, and Lloyd Abernethy’s knowledge and networks help identify opportunities in advancing Africa’s leadership in premium moringa products.
