The fifth edition put business, knowledge, investment, and market access at the center of three days of industry exchange.
International Desk: VIV Africa 2026 concluded in Kigali after three days bringing together the Feed to Food industry for business, knowledge exchange, and innovation.
Held at the Kigali Convention Centre, the fifth edition began with the Leadership Conference on October 6, followed by two exhibition days on October 7–8, bringing together professionals from across Africa and international markets to exchange knowledge, discover technologies and practical solutions, and develop new business relationships.
Attendance reached a new high, with a record 2,257 visitors from 69 countries, reflecting VIV Africa’s growing international reach as a meeting point for the animal protein and agribusiness sectors. The Leadership Conference drew 230 attendees, while 121 Industry Leaders took part in the 2026 edition.
Across the exhibition floor, 153 exhibitors presented solutions spanning the Feed to Food value chain, including feed, animal health, breeding and hatching, farm production, processing, and food engineering.
Industry priorities take center stage
The Leadership Conference brought together experts from across the region to share practical perspectives on strengthening Africa’s poultry and livestock sectors. Among the 30+ speakers, Mary Were, Executive Director of the Kenya Poultry Farmers Association (KEPOFA), explored the potential of youth-led agribusiness to create sustainable livelihoods through poultry value chains. She also addressed East African feed sovereignty, with a focus on local sourcing, land productivity, and regional integration. Complementing these discussions, Dr. Lawrence Ademu, Head of the Department of Animal Science at the Federal University Wukari, Nigeria, examined how stronger livestock cooperatives can improve quality and access to markets.
The focus on industry development extended into the first exhibition day, with the Investment & Market Access Forum held on October 7. Powered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the Rwanda Food Innovation Partnership (RFIP), the invitation-only breakfast session featured a panel discussion examining the market outlook, followed by discussions on concrete investment opportunities in Rwanda. The forum also addressed barriers to financing and connecting businesses with potential investors and partners to support the development of Africa’s feed-to-food value chain.
Creating more targeted business connections
This year also marked the launch of the Hosted Buyer Program, connecting selected buyers with relevant exhibitors and supporting focused business conversations during the event.
Together with the Industry Leaders program and meetings taking place across the exhibition floor, the initiative added further opportunities for targeted business connections throughout the show.
Engaging the next generation of the industry
As the farming and agribusiness sectors continue to attract a growing community of young professionals, VIV Africa 2026 placed a dedicated focus on involving the next generation in the industry conversation. In partnership with the Rwanda Poultry Industry Association (RPIA), a total of 180 young participants took part in the youth program, connecting with exhibitors, experts, and industry professionals to gain practical knowledge, industry insights, and a clearer understanding of the opportunities across the sector.
Connections beyond the exhibition floor
Her Excellency Joan Wiegman, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Rwanda, also hosted a networking evening at her residence, bringing together selected Dutch exhibitors and industry representatives. The gathering extended the dialogue beyond the exhibition floor, creating space for closer connections and exchanges around business opportunities, industry developments, and collaboration within Rwanda and the wider region.
Looking ahead: VIV Africa heads to West Africa
The strong participation in Kigali reflects the growing engagement around Africa’s agrifood and animal protein sectors, as well as the opportunities emerging across the region. Building on that momentum, VIV Africa will take place annually from 2027, alternating between East and West Africa and creating more regular opportunities for the industry to connect across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This next phase begins in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on October 6–7, 2027, marking VIV Africa’s expansion into West Africa and extending the platform’s reach across the region.
As VIV Africa looks ahead to its next edition, the team extends its thanks to all exhibitors, visitors, speakers, Industry Leaders, partners, and participating organizations who contributed to the 2026 edition in Kigali.
