Five years ago, in September 2019, the MENA Soy Excellence Center (SEC) embarked on an ambitious mission to help unlock the immense potential of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s animal feed and aquaculture industries. From its inception in Cairo, the SEC sought to bridge knowledge gaps, elevate industry standards, and create opportunities for professionals in aquaculture, poultry, and dairy sectors. Today, as we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on the remarkable progress we've made and look ahead to a future full of promise.
The Region’s Potential: Nutrition, Food Safety, and Industry Growth
The MENA region, home to 501 million people according to the World Bank Group, represents more than 6% of the global population1. With growing food demands, particularly for protein sources, the region’s need for sustainable solutions in animal feed and aquaculture has never been more critical. Egypt, the heart of the region’s aquaculture and poultry industries, has seen a dramatic rise in demand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that Egypt will experience a 46% increase in aquaculture feed demand by 20252, underscoring the growing importance of efficient and nutritious feed solutions.
The SEC was established to meet this rising demand, fostering a new generation of professionals equipped to address the region’s challenges in food security, sustainability, and nutritional quality. Over the past five years, the SEC has offered a range of training programs to early- and mid-career professionals, covering critical areas like feed milling, aquaculture production, and poultry management. The results have been transformative, with over 22,000 trainees benefiting from the programs.
Egypt’s role as the U.S.'s seven-largest soybean export market highlights the region’s trust in the unparalleled quality of U.S. Soy. According to the Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in MY2023 alone, U.S. Soy exports to Egypt reached 477.85 million metric tons, marking a 43% increase on a ten-year average3. The SEC has played a key role in reinforcing this trust by ensuring local producers and businesses understand the value of U.S. Soy for enhancing animal feed quality, food safety, and production efficiency.
A Journey of Growth and Partnership
The growth of the SEC in the MENA region has been nothing short of remarkable. Since 2019, SEC MENA has partnered with prominent institutions such as Cairo University, the Egyptian Poultry Association, and WorldFish to deliver hands-on, practical training.
A key factor in this success has been the multi-level governance with the SEC’s Global Advisory Panel (GAP) and Regional Advisory Council (RAC). Together, they have provided strategic guidance, financial oversight, and local insights allowing the SEC to tailor its programs to meet regional needs. This alignment has enabled SEC MENA to become a beacon of education and technical expertise in the region, helping businesses and professionals thrive.
Mousa Wakileh, the SEC MENA Center Lead, reflects on this journey: “From our first poultry and aquaculture training programs to today, we have worked closely with industry leaders, universities, and global partners to ensure that the SEC is not just a training center, but a hub for innovation and growth. Our partnerships have been key to our success, and we are excited to continue this journey together.”
Tomorrow’s Possibilities: A Future of Innovation and Abundance
As we celebrate this five-year milestone, the future looks even more promising. With increasing collaboration between local businesses, educational institutions, and U.S. Soy farmers, the MENA region is poised to become a global leader in sustainable aquaculture and animal feed production. The SEC is committed to driving this transformation by investing in future leaders, promoting innovation, and expanding its reach through new entry-level training and continuing education through our digital communities.
The stories of our trainees, like Shady Hamdy Mohamed Al-Deriny, exemplify the impact of the SEC’s work. Al-Deriny, a young entrepreneur and SEC graduate, co-founded Ibn Al-Nafis Hatchery, where he has applied the knowledge gained through SEC courses to revolutionize fish farming practices. His Smart Feed Estimation Device (SFED), which optimizes fish feed based on real-time environmental data, is just one example of how SEC alumni are driving innovation in the industry.
Similarly, Ibrahim Youssef Tammam El Nahaas, who leads Al Raya Broilers' Farm, credits SEC training for his ability to implement advanced poultry management practices. His farm, founded in 2019, has flourished, showcasing how SEC's holistic approach to education can transform local businesses and improve food production efficiency.
The future of the SEC in the MENA region is one of collaboration and shared success. As we work with local producers, educational institutions, and U.S. Soy farmers, we are building an ecosystem that benefits everyone. The ripple effect of this work extends beyond the region to contribute to global food security, providing nutritious, safe, and sustainable protein sources to the world.
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