Global food marketing firm Talier Trading Group has long ago expanded to servicing Africa’s emerging markets. However, the company is still focused on nurturing the developmental and cultural aspects of the continent’s food offerings. Managing director Jim Thaller sat down to speak with AFKInsider about the company’s transition. In part one of the interview, he elaborates on the growth of food development and processing, as well as entrepreneurial market availability.

“Focusing on processing is certainly one solution for the continent as a whole. As far as the tools that are needed — recently you’ve seen a shift from government, you’ve seen a shift from the donor community to engage more actively with the private sector. I could not possibly be in more agreement of that,” Thaller said. “Networking these people is really the solution I think.”

View: Part Two, Part Three