EIMA International has established itself as one of the world’s most influential exhibitions for agricultural and gardening machinery.

Held every two years in Bologna, Italy, the event is organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, alongside BolognaFiere. Since its launch in 1969, EIMA has grown into a major platform for manufacturers, industry experts, and buyers seeking the latest advancements in agro-mechanical technology.

The exhibition draws a diverse international audience, with companies from across the globe presenting cutting-edge machines and equipment. Delegates from more than 80 countries attend each edition, underscoring the event’s global reach and economic relevance. Hosted across an impressive 375,000 m², including 122,000 m² of dedicated exhibition space, EIMA offers visitors unmatched access to innovations that are shaping the future of farming.

EIMA International is organised into 14 distinct merchandise sectors, covering every aspect of modern agriculture. These range from engines, irrigation systems, soil-working and sowing equipment to harvesting machinery, crop protection technologies, components, and transport solutions. The structure of the fair allows visitors to explore the full agricultural supply chain in one location.

Alongside the main sectors, EIMA features several highly specialised themed showcases that highlight emerging trends. EIMA Components focuses on essential parts and accessories, while EIMA Green offers a hub for garden machinery and green-space maintenance tools. EIMA Energy is dedicated to renewable power for agriculture and forestry, and EIMA Idrotech spotlights advanced irrigation and water-management systems. One of the most forward-looking areas is EIMA Digital, where exhibitors present precision-farming technologies, electronics, and digital systems designed to boost efficiency and sustainability.

To enhance the visitor experience, the event is divided into two phases. The opening days are set aside exclusively for business professionals, enabling targeted networking and commercial negotiations. The remaining days welcome a wider audience, including gardening enthusiasts and small-scale growers.

In recent years, EIMA has hosted around 1,750 exhibitors from approximately 50 countries, displaying more than 60,000 models of machinery and equipment. Its scale and reputation firmly position it as a leading global event for agricultural machinery, landscaping technologies, and green innovation.

The Poultry Futures Forum 2025 has officially opened in Lusaka, marking a pivotal moment for Southern Africa’s ambition to build stronger, more resilient poultry value chains.

Led by AGRA under the Southern Africa Poultry Initiative (SAPI), the Forum calls for a decisive shift from fragmented national interventions to a unified regional strategy. AGRA stressed that coordinated action is essential to boost production, reduce feed costs, enhance climate resilience and unlock deeper private sector investment while championing innovation and the leadership of young entrepreneurs.

The event has drawn an influential mix of stakeholders, including SADC government representatives, commercial poultry businesses, grain processors, researchers, financiers and agri-preneurs. Their shared goal is to accelerate practical, cross-country collaboration to resolve the structural challenges that continue to hold back the growth of the poultry industry.

This year’s Forum builds on the outcomes of the inaugural meeting held in Dar es Salaam in 2024, where delegates agreed on the need for a shared regional roadmap. Over the past year, several countries have made meaningful progress by aligning national action plans with the overarching regional poultry agenda, showing growing commitment to collective development.

In his opening message, AGRA Board Chair, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, highlighted the momentum already taking shape, stating: “Over the past year, we have seen encouraging momentum. Several countries have developed national poultry action plans. Youth entrepreneurs are bringing new digital solutions to production and marketing. Most notably, we have launched the Poultry Feed Accelerator Grand Challenge – a direct response to the number one constraint identified by producers across our region: the high and volatile cost of feed. This initiative invites innovators, researchers and investors to present breakthrough ideas that can lower feed costs while improving quality and sustainability.”

True to its mission of inclusive growth, the Forum places young people and women at the centre of its agenda. A dedicated Youth Poultry Forum and Innovation Pitch provides a platform to showcase emerging entrepreneurs whose innovations are addressing key industry challenges from feed technology and disease control to climate resilience and market access. AGRA aims to spotlight these rising leaders who are shaping a more dynamic and competitive poultry sector across the continent.

Peter Kapala, Zambia’s Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, said, “The government of Zambia has prioritized poultry development under the eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP), in alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Zambia takes pride in its position as a regional leader, particularly in the export of day-old chicks and specialty birds such as quails. The government is committed to creating an enabling environment to strengthen the domestic and regional poultry market, safeguard local producers, and promote value addition. This commitment includes: inclusive policies that empower smallholder farmers, women, and youth, improved access to quality feed, veterinary services, and climate-smart practices, promotion of affordable technology and digital advisory services.”

Throughout the Forum, discussions will explore opportunities for greater private sector collaboration, particularly in expanding regional feed manufacturing capacity and reinforcing input supply chains. Delegates will also examine how climate-resilient production systems and improved disease management strategies can support long-term sector sustainability. These include new genetics and animal health solutions designed to strengthen productivity even under climate stress.

SAPI Technical Lead Alexander Stewart, said, “The Poultry Futures Forum high-level discussions and working sessions are focused on aligning policy and regulatory frameworks to improve cross-border trade and market integration across SADC. Through this coordination, the partners aim to help countries draft and refine national poultry action plans that align with regional goals for food security and economic growth.”

A major highlight of the event is the Deal Rooms, an AGRA-led matchmaking platform designed to connect agribusinesses with investors and financiers. These sessions aim to accelerate enterprise growth across the value chain from feed production and processing to cold chain logistics and packaging ultimately supporting a more competitive and sustainable poultry sector for the region.

Tanzania has attracted a major US$640mn investment to develop large-scale cassava cultivation and processing operations, a move expected to create over 100,000 jobs within the next ten years.

The project has been awarded to Pan-Tanzania Agriculture Developments Limited, which has been allocated 62,000 acres in Kilwa District, Lindi Region. On this land, the company plans to grow cassava and establish an industrial park dedicated to value addition and export.

The initiative was formally launched by Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), during a land-handover ceremony. He described the project as part of a broader push to accelerate industrialisation under Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050. The programme falls under the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), which is tasked with driving manufacturing growth and job creation across the country.

The investment goes beyond cassava production. Alongside cultivating and processing cassava for export particularly to meet rising demand for cassava flour in countries such as China - the company also plans to grow soybeans and cashew nuts, and establish meat-processing operations.

Minister Mkumbo highlighted the project’s wider economic impact, noting it aims to “strengthen economic linkages across agriculture, processing, export, and tax revenue.” He added that the investment has the potential to significantly uplift Lindi Region, which currently contributes just 2% of the nation’s GDP.

The development spans four villages — Mavuji, Migeregere, Nainokwe, and Liwiti and will include modern infrastructure, improved irrigation, enhanced mobile connectivity, and advanced processing facilities. Of the total land, 2,000 acres will be dedicated to the industrial park for value addition, while the remaining 60,000 acres will be used to cultivate strategic crops within an Agricultural Special Economic Zone (AgriEPZ).

Gilead Teri, TISEZA’s Director General, clarified that the land is being provided under a derivative right rather than freehold, stressing that the investor must adhere to the project plan, with TISEZA closely monitoring implementation.

Local authorities emphasised Kilwa’s suitability for the venture, citing its peaceful environment, reliable electricity from the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project and nearby natural gas, as well as strategic infrastructure including Kilwa Port and major road networks, all essential for supporting export-focused agribusiness.

Overall, this landmark investment is set to elevate cassava from a staple crop to a significant export commodity, while driving rural development, creating jobs, fostering industrial growth, and boosting regional economic development in southern Tanzania.

Five pioneering African female founders have been awarded more than US$100,000 in equity-free funding after emerging as winners of the Naspers–Prosus Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, a competition created to spotlight women who are building technology solutions for real market needs across the continent.

The final event, held on 19 November 2025 in Johannesburg, brought together ten exceptional women founders representing a range of dynamic sectors including agritech, healthtech, climate technology, fintech, AI, and sustainable manufacturing. The timing of the finale aligned intentionally with Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, South Africa’s G20 Presidency, and the B20 Summit, amplifying the significance of the announcement on a global stage.

Interest in the Challenge was substantial, with 1,163 applications received from tech entrepreneurs across Africa during the one-month application window. This overwhelming response reflects not only the depth of innovation on the continent but also the growing momentum of Africa’s digital economy, projected to reach US$180bn by 2025. Despite this growth, women remain significantly underfunded, with female founders facing a US$42bn financing gap, a barrier the Challenge aims to help narrow.

Celebrating this year’s winners, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO and Executive Director of Naspers and Prosus, highlighted the exceptional calibre of talent on display. “I’m immensely proud of our overall winner, Esther Kimani, who brings agricultural innovation through AI-powered pest detection solutions, as well as all the finalists who demonstrated their phenomenal tech solutions today - congratulations!” she said. “The winners represent the next generation of technology leaders building viable businesses that solve real problems across Africa and I can’t wait to witness their growth going-forward.”

Her comments were echoed by Prajna Khanna, Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President at Prosus and Naspers, who emphasised the potential of women entrepreneurs on the continent. “We received 1,163 applications from across the African continent, and the depth of talent was remarkable,” she said. “These founders are building real businesses with proven models that address significant market opportunities.”

The Challenge, developed with Lionesses of Africa, a community of 1.8 million women entrepreneurs, provides not only financial support but mentorship from seasoned investors, access to institutional networks, and guidance on scaling businesses across African markets. With finalists from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and the DRC, the platform continues to expand opportunities for women shaping Africa’s digital future.