Event News

VIV Africa is sub-Saharan Africa's leading Feed to Food platform. (Image source: VNU Exhibitions Europe BV)

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.

Agribusinesses from East Africa can leverage technological scaling and market modernisation opportunity as the 47th edition of EIMA International gears up to return in Bologna from 10-14 November 

East Africa's export-driven agricultural sector will especially benefit from the event as it will expand the region's reach to Italy. 

The market opportunity: Untapped potential

Digital integration remains the need of the hour to effectively commercialise Ethiopia's vast agricultural potential, which is the region's backbone.

The country is blessed with a diverse climate suitable for everything from cereals and pulses to oilseeds, the country has already established itself as the world’s third-largest producer of Arabica coffee.

Despite this, agribusinesses face persistent operational bottlenecks like low mechanisation levels: Limited access to modern tools hinders large-scale productivity. There are infrastructure gaps with growth frequently stalled by insufficient irrigation and a lack of transport and storage infrastructure. There is a need for digital integration with a critical requirement for training technical staff to operate digital systems and next-generation machinery.

Strategic solutions and know-how transfer

The partnership with Italian industry is designed to go beyond simple equipment sales; it focuses on supply chain efficiency and the transfer of technical know-how.

Italian manufacturers are positioning themselves to offer advanced, sustainable technologies that can optimise production and improve the quality of agri-food supply chains.

For Ethiopian operators, the EIMA International exhibition in Bologna (November 10–14) serves as a vital procurement and networking platform. The scale of the event provides an unprecedented look at the global market with 1,800+ manufacturers offering more than 60,000 models of machinery. 14 product sectors are organised into seven thematic showcases to help businesses find specific technological solutions. Ensuring tailored technology, exhibitions are designed to match the specific production needs of the Ethiopian primary and gardening sectors.

Facilitating B2B growth

To ensure these technological advancements translate into commercial reality, an official delegation of Ethiopian business representatives will attend the Bologna event, organised by ICE and FederUnacoma.

This delegation will participate in structured business-to-business (B2B) meetings designed to match Ethiopian operators with the specific technologies prioritized for the country’s development.

As Claudio Pasqualucci, director of the ICE office in Addis Ababa, noted, EIMA International represents an "ideal platform for fostering new commercial and industrial relationships" that can increase productivity and efficiency across the entire supply chain.

For agribusinesses looking to modernise, this partnership offers a clear pathway to high-calibre industrial cooperation.

Visitor registration ensuring free entry is currently open for the 2026 edition. (Image source: VIV Africa)

Part of the VNU Europe-organised VIV Worldwide portfolio, VIV Africa 2026 has called for industry professionals to secure their free badge ahead of the show taking place on 7-8 October at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda

Visitor registration ensuring free entry is currently open for the 2026 edition, which is set to see a diverse range of exhibitors across the animal protein supply chain, including farm production, feed ingredients and additives, feed and grain technology, processing and animal health.

With a strong focus on poultry layers and broilers, the show also features a dedicated Dairy Pavilion reflecting its continued focus into broader agrifood sectors.

“VIV Africa has become a meeting point where the region’s animal protein industry comes to make real decisions, not just window-shop,” says Natalie Taylor, Project Manager for VIV Africa.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest-growing markets for animal protein in the world, and the businesses that get this region right today will be the ones leading it tomorrow. Our job is to make sure that when international suppliers and local producers are ready to do business, VIV Africa is where that happens. Every edition, we see more serious buyers, more depth in the exhibitor line-up, and more deals struck on the show floor — and 2026 is set to be our biggest step yet.”

The show is set to open with a high-level Leadership Conference on 6 October 6—one day before the official exhibitions starts—bringing together an international line-up of experts to unpack the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping poultry, agriculture, and dairy across the continent.

Click here for visitor registration. Registering in advance secures a free badge, avoids queues onsite, and gives early access to the exhibitor list and full onsite programme — helping visitors plan their visit in Kigali before they even arrive.

Aviagen Anadolu on the future of poultry production. (Image source: Aviagen)

Aviagen Anadolu successful hosted its ninth technical seminar in Belek, Antalya, Türkiye, from 28–29 April, bringing together poultry professionals, industry experts and customers from across Türkiye for 1.5 days of knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration

The seminar featured a comprehensive program focused on broiler and breeder management, flock performance, hatchery technologies, disease prevention, nutrition and emerging industry trends.

Participants benefited from presentations delivered by Aviagen specialists and international guest speakers, who shared practical insights and the latest developments shaping the poultry sector.

Discussions throughout the event emphasized improving production efficiency, bird health, meat quality and sustainability across poultry operations. The Aviagen Anadolu team also highlighted the importance of continued education and collaboration in supporting customers and advancing poultry production standards throughout the region.

The seminar also provided an opportunity for attendees to strengthen professional relationships and exchange experiences during networking sessions, panel discussions and the gala dinner.

The closing session included an interactive panel discussion, giving customers the opportunity to engage directly with presenters and ask questions related to the topics covered throughout the seminar. The event concluded with a group photo and a special Club awards presentation recognizing outstanding customer performance with Ross flocks.

During the awards ceremony, the Aviagen Anadolu team honored the top three Club award winners with certificates and awards in recognition of their exceptional production results. The Clubs celebrate customers who demonstrate outstanding dedication, management excellence and performance achievements with their Ross flocks.

“The seminar was highly valuable in terms of covering technical topics and demonstrating the development and future direction of the Ross breed. It provided an excellent opportunity for our teams to further develop their knowledge. The event was also very enjoyable socially, especially with the recognition and celebration of successful performers during the closing session.”, said İsmail Ertonga, Vice General Manager, Beypiliç.

Sharing his perspective on the seminar, Güven Atlı, General Manager, Keskinoğlu, commented: “The topics covered during the seminar and the expertise shared by the speakers were extremely valuable for our team. We sincerely appreciated the care, attention and support shown by the Aviagen Anadolu team throughout the event. Their hospitality and professionalism made the experience especially meaningful for all attendees.”

Reflecting on the success of the seminar, Yüksel Öztürk, Production Manager, Orallar, added: “The organization of the seminar was excellent from start to finish. The presentations addressed current industry challenges with practical and result-oriented information delivered by highly experienced experts. We were extremely pleased with both the content and the overall event experience.”

Rıza Elmas, Senior Technical Manager, Aviagen Anadolu, added: “We dedicated significant preparation over the past year to ensure the success of this seminar. The program was carefully designed to address key areas across the entire production chain, including hatchery operations, management practices, health, nutrition, data analysis, ventilation and processing. We also explored the future genetic potential of the Ross 308 and the opportunities it presents for our customers.

We were especially pleased to welcome more than 150 customers, including many key decision-makers from across the region. The seminar served as an important platform for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas and discuss future opportunities for improving performance and achieving genetic potential.

I would like to sincerely thank our Technical Managers, especially Orhun Tikit, along with Ahmet Emrah Örtlek and Kifah Abutumeh, whose dedication and hard work played a major role in making this event a success. Together with the Aviagen Anadolu team and our global experts, we were proud to deliver a truly valuable and memorable seminar experience.”