Something is shifting in Sub-Saharan Africa's animal protein sector

Demand for poultry, dairy and feed is climbing fast, yet producers across the region are still contending with real constraints: biosecurity gaps, patchy supply chains and limited access to the technologies that could ease both. Closing that gap is not a matter of good intentions. It takes the right people in the same room, comparing notes on what actually works.

That room is in Kigali this October. VIV Africa, the region's leading Feed to Food platform, returns to the Kigali Convention Centre on 7 and 8 October 2026, with a Leadership Conference kicking things off a day earlier on 6 October. About 150 exhibitors will fill 1,650 square metres of exhibition space covering the full animal protein value chain, from farm production and feed ingredients to processing and animal health. Poultry remains at the heart of the show, and a dedicated Dairy Pavilion this year signals just how far VIV Africa's ambitions now stretch across agrifood. Around 2,000 visitors are expected, travelling in from Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Cameroon, Sudan and beyond.

What makes the event worth three days out of an already packed calendar is not simply its size. It is the way the programme is built around outcomes rather than footfall. The Leadership Conference sets the tone before the exhibition floor even opens, gathering international experts to work through the trends and challenges shaping poultry, agriculture and dairy across the continent, for a registration fee of US$140. Senior buyers and decision makers can go further still through the Hosted Buyer Programme, which arranges scheduled introductions and dedicated support so that time on the ground translates into actual supplier relationships rather than a stack of business cards.

For an agrifood professional weighing whether to attend, the case comes down to four things. There is a chance to learn directly from global experts grappling with the same pressures on production and margins. There is the opportunity to discover technologies and solutions already proven in comparable markets, rather than reading about them second-hand. There is the ability to connect face to face with suppliers, partners and buyers who can move a business forward. And there is the prospect of growth that follows from all three, new partnerships and new deals that would be far harder to reach from behind a desk.

Natalie Taylor, Project Manager for VIV Africa, described the show as a place where the region's animal protein industry comes to make real decisions rather than window shop. That distinction is worth sitting with. Sub-Saharan Africa is among the fastest growing animal protein markets anywhere in the world right now, and the companies willing to show up and engage with it directly are the ones best placed to shape where it goes next.

Registration for VIV Africa 2026 is open now, and entry to the two-day exhibition is free for anyone who registers in advance. Doing so also means avoiding queues on arrival and getting early access to the exhibitor list, which is a small thing that makes a real difference once you are trying to plan a busy two days in Kigali.

For anyone with a stake in where this region's agrifood industry is headed, whether as a producer, a supplier or a technical lead with influence over what gets purchased, VIV Africa 2026 is where those conversations are actually happening. Registration is open at africa.viv.net.

South Africa has stepped up its response to Foot and mouth disease with the arrival of one million high potency vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport.

The shipment was received under the supervision of John Steenhuisen, Agriculture Minister marking a significant boost to the national vaccination drive already under way in affected regions.

The vaccines were supplied by Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and form part of a broader supply programme. Further consignments are expected in the coming weeks from BVI in Botswana and Dollvet in Turkey. By the end of March, more than five million doses from these three international suppliers are set to arrive in the country.

At home, the Agricultural Research Council has committed to producing 20 000 vaccines per week, with plans to increase output to 200 000 per week in 2027. The expanded supply will allow authorities to move beyond targeted outbreak response and work towards wider suppression of the virus in high risk areas.

Steenhuisen said, “Vaccination has already begun in affected areas, but supply has limited the speed and coverage. With this arrival, we can now accelerate protection across priority provinces and stabilise the livestock sector.”

Outbreaks have been reported in every province, prompting quarantine measures, movement restrictions and ongoing surveillance. A risk based vaccination strategy will focus first on outbreak centres in KwaZulu Natal and parts of Gauteng, Free State and North West, before extending to other high risk and border regions.

The initial one million doses will be shared across all provinces, with KwaZulu Natal and Free State receiving the largest allocations. However, the minister warned that vaccines alone will not end the crisis.

“Quarantine rules, movement permits and biosecurity measures exist to protect every farmer in the country. Those who deliberately move animals illegally, conceal infections, or ignore restrictions threaten the recovery of the entire sector. Where there is wilful non compliance, we will work with law enforcement authorities and the full might of the law will be applied,” Steenhuisen added.

He will visit Mooi River in KwaZulu Natal on 27 February to vaccinate dairy cattle alongside veterinarians and farmers. “The dairy industry has been among the hardest hit with significant production losses, disrupted markets and immense strain on farming families. That visit marks the practical beginning of recovery at farm level. Each vaccinated herd means stability returning to a business, wages returning to workers and milk returning to shelves.”

“We are moving step by step from crisis management to control,” Minister Steenhuisen concluded. “Vaccines are arriving, the system is scaling up, and compliance will be enforced. Working together, we will stabilise the sector and rebuild confidence in South Africa’s animal health system.”

Uganda’s presence at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo has moved beyond simple visibility.

What once drew curiosity is now drawing scrutiny, as international buyers begin to assess whether the country is ready for premium markets. Uganda’s coffee is no longer just being tasted, it is being judged on its ability to meet higher expectations.

Australia stands as one of the most disciplined coffee markets in the world, where quality is carefully measured and consistency is expected every time. For years, Uganda’s coffee has quietly played a role here, mainly through blends where its Robusta adds body and balance. Yet this contribution has often gone unnoticed.

That is beginning to change. Feedback from cupping sessions at the expo points to a shift in how Uganda’s coffee is perceived. Buyers are recognising its depth and improving quality, while showing growing interest in traceable sourcing, distinct origins, and reliable espresso performance. Uganda appears well placed to respond, but simply being ready is no longer enough. It must now prove it can deliver.

High Commissioner to Australia, Dorothy Hyuha Samali, has made it clear that Uganda is stepping forward not only to be recognised, but to be trusted. This signals a deeper level of commitment, where honesty and consistency will define long term success in a market that values credibility above all else.

A key moment came through the presentation by Gordon Katwirenabo, which helped shape a clearer understanding of Uganda’s progress. It highlighted improvements in quality control, post harvest handling, and value addition, while also acknowledging areas that still need attention.

Compared with giants like Brazil and Vietnam, Uganda offers a different story. It combines strong production with a value chain that is still developing. This creates opportunity, but also pressure to build systems quickly and effectively.

Uganda now stands at a turning point. Interest is growing and perceptions are improving, but the real test lies in execution. In global coffee markets, attention may open doors, but only consistent delivery will keep them open.

Water scarcity and wastewater management have long been pressing concerns across South Africa, and Xylem, a globally recognised water technology company, has just made things a great deal more manageable.

The company officially launched its Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) equipment and services at its Africa headquarters in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, marking a significant step forward in accessible, practical wastewater treatment for the region.

The launch drew attention from a wide range of industries that deal with the daily challenge of treating and recycling water responsibly. Mining operations, municipalities, agricultural businesses, aquaculture farms, food and beverage producers, paper and pulp mills, chemical manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies are all in the frame as potential beneficiaries of this technology. It is a broad reach, and deliberately so.

At its core, DAF is a pre-treatment and solids-separation system designed to slot into existing wastewater management frameworks. It works as a standalone unit or as part of a larger treatment process, sitting alongside biological treatment, filtration, and water reuse systems to help facilities meet compliance targets and achieve their recycling goals. What makes it particularly attractive is its compact, modular build, which means it can be installed even in tight or congested spaces where traditional systems simply would not fit. Rental options are also on the table, making it viable for smaller operations or those with seasonal demands.

The science behind DAF is clever but straightforward. Xylem's systems use Hellbender pumps to generate microscopic air bubbles that, after the water undergoes coagulation and flocculation, latch onto suspended particles and drag them to the surface where they can be skimmed off. The result is water that is significantly cleaner, with total suspended solids, fats, oils, greases, and biochemical oxygen demand all reduced efficiently.

Three models are available, the RT-50, RT-100, and RT-240, catering for flow rates ranging from 100 to 1,000 GPM. Each unit is built from durable stainless steel, comes with an integrated flocculation tube, and includes a pre-wired control panel that makes setup relatively straightforward.

Chetan Mistry, Strategy and Marketing Manager at Xylem WSS (AMETI), was candid about what this launch means for local customers. "We are very excited to bring cutting-edge DAF solutions to our local customers. Xylem has introduced our DAF solutions to several other markets, where they have become a big hit among companies of various sizes. They appreciate the logistical benefits of DAF's compact designs and convenient deployment, supported by our expert technicians. South African organisations in the private and public sectors can now also leverage DAF to expand their choices for water treatment and recycling."

The support offering goes well beyond simply supplying equipment. "Xylem's expert staff and our experienced partners customise each solution as required. We deliver and manage components such as mixer tanks, weir tanks, pumps, and conveyors, as well as catwalks and accessories. Our skilled technicians can support on-site staff or run the process on behalf of our customers," added Mistry.

For too long, fully industrialised water treatment felt out of reach for many South African organisations, put off by the cost and operational complexity involved. Xylem's DAF range changes that conversation considerably, offering a flexible, scalable entry point into serious water management without demanding enormous upfront commitment. Whether a business is running a pilot programme or upgrading an established treatment system, there is a configuration to suit the need.

The launch plants Xylem firmly on the map as a hands-on, solutions-driven partner for industries and municipalities that are serious about using water wisely.