Acacia Social Investment Fund
Developing a Social Agenda for the Gum Arabic Industry

Gum Arabic remains an important cash crop for thousands of African farmers in the sub-Saharan "gum belt".
The main production areas are in the Sudan but the commodity is also produced in, another 14 countries, many of them in the arid and semi-arid areas of the region including Nigeria and Senegal.

Gum Arabic itself is essential in sustaining their farming systems, but with fluctuations in prices and the prevalence for uncertainty in the profitability of the crop it is unclear whether this fluid situation can ensure the sustainability of gum supplies to the world market.

By establishing the industry on a firmer footing and developing the rural areas and communities that it supports, will provide for a significant positive impact on the region's collective revival. Establishing fairer trade amongst the Gum Arabic supply chain participants will be one of the core objectives of the Fund's social agenda.