Leverage agri-tech for smallholder farmers. (image credit: African Agri Investment Indaba)

The G20’s Agriculture Working Group has highlighted the urgent need for food security through sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and regional trade-aligning with Africa’s push towards food self-sufficiency

With growing food crises, disrupted supply chains, and climate volatility, Africa must adapt its agricultural future, making local production and resilience top priorities.

The African Agri Investment Indaba 2025, scheduled for November 23-26 in Cape Town, will tackle this challenge under the theme "The New World Order: A Self-Sufficient Africa." The event will focus on how investment, innovation, and policy reforms can create sustainable food systems. Climate change, such as the recent El Niño that impacted Southern Africa's maize production, underscores the need for drought-resistant crops and improved water management. In response, many South African farms and others across the continent are investing in irrigation and adopting climate-smart strategies.

Susan Payne, Board Member of the African Agri Council, said, "Funding will become more challenging as most food production in Africa is undertaken by smallholder farmers, who are financially excluded by funders." Agri-tech innovations are transforming the sector, with platforms like Hello Tractor connecting smallholder farmers to mechanisation services via IoT, while South Africa leads in AI-driven precision agriculture.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is vital for intra-African trade, boosting food security by reducing imports and enhancing market connectivity. However, challenges persist, including livestock disease outbreaks, which necessitate stronger biosecurity measures. Governments and private sectors are investing in disease control and resilient systems.

“Collectives and co-operatives are key to attracting financing for smallholder farmers,” Payne added. The Agri Investment Indaba 2025 will explore how collaboration between investors, policymakers, and agribusinesses can shape a self-sufficient Africa, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and solutions needed to accelerate progress.

This significant event will focus on sustainable water use in agriculture.

The 6th International RISE SWC Conference, hosted by the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Irrigation (APNI), is set to take place in 2025

This significant event will focus on sustainable water use in agriculture, bringing together experts, researchers, and professionals from across the globe to discuss pressing issues around water scarcity and the adoption of efficient irrigation practices. The conference aims to explore and share innovative solutions that address these challenges in the agriculture sector.

The event will dive deep into topics such as water-efficient irrigation technologies, climate change impacts on water resources, smart irrigation systems, and the development of effective policies for sustainable water management. Attendees will be able to participate in technical workshops, attend panel discussions, and review real-world case studies that showcase successful water management practices from different regions. This will provide a platform for professionals from academia, government, NGOs, and the agriculture industry to connect, share knowledge, and exchange ideas.

A highlight of the conference will be its diverse set of speakers, offering insights on the latest trends and innovations in water management technologies and policy development. It also includes a Call for Papers, inviting researchers to contribute their findings and perspectives on sustainable water management and irrigation practices. The conference aims to foster collaboration, ensuring that key stakeholders from various sectors can engage with cutting-edge solutions to improve water efficiency and support sustainable agricultural practices.

In essence, the 6th International RISE SWC Conference offers an invaluable opportunity for participants to engage with experts, explore the latest technologies, and learn about practical solutions that promote sustainable water use in agriculture. It’s an essential gathering for anyone involved in water management, agriculture, and sustainability, as it tackles the pressing need for smarter, more efficient irrigation systems to cope with global water challenges.

The event takes place from 25-27 November 2025. (Image source: VIV MEA 2025)

Visitor registration is now open for VIV MEA 2025, the region’s leading trade exhibition for the animal husbandry and agribusiness sector

Taking place from 25-27 November 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event will bring together global industry professionals from across the animal protein supply chain.

Firmly established as the go-to platform for the Middle East and Africa’s animal farming sector, VIV MEA covers every link from feed to food.

This upcoming edition will feature more than 500 exhibitors and welcome over 10,000 visitors for three days of business networking, product launches, and expert-led discussions on topics including animal health, sustainable farming, biosecurity, and production efficiency.

VIV MEA 2025 will showcase a comprehensive range of animal sectors including poultry, dairy, cattle, fish, goats, camels, eggs, and calves. New for this edition is the Aquatic Pavilion, a dedicated space highlighting solutions for aquaculture.

Key sessions include the Aquatic Conference (taking place the day before the show), AgriBITs (focusing on agri-tech innovation), and the 4th Poultry Marketing Roundtable (PMRT) on 26 November.

A press statement from the organisers said that with its world-class infrastructure, Abu Dhabi serves as the ideal host city, offering a strategic gateway to regional markets and a vibrant destination for international visitors.

Early registration allows attendees to skip queues, access updates, and start connecting with exhibitors and speakers ahead of time. "With its strong regional focus and international reach, the show serves as a vital meeting point to forge partnerships, discover innovations, and shape the future of food production in the Middle East and Africa," the statement added. 

Last year, VIV Africa featured 40 specialised sessions, practical workshops and networking opportunities. The event underscored its growing significance as a key platform for advancing the future of African animal protein production, and brought together industry professionals, thought leaders, local youth and innovators to exchange knowledge, build partnerships, and showcase the latest trends and developments in animal husbandry and agricultural scene.  VIV Africa was hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre from 2-3 October. 

The 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria will take place in March 2026. (Image credit: Agrofood Nigeria)

The 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria 2026 will be held from 24th to 26th March at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.

This major event highlights the growing momentum of Nigeria's agrofood sector, offering a unique platform for industry leaders, suppliers, and professionals across the entire value chain to come together.

Organised by Fairtrade Messe in collaboration with Modion Communications, Agrofood Nigeria 2026 is set to be a key event, drawing thousands of participants from across Nigeria and West Africa. It will showcase innovation and provide opportunities for networking, business development, and knowledge sharing. This year’s event features focused partial fairs, offering specialised experiences in agriculture, food + bev tech, food ingredients, packaging, and food + hospitality. This allows professionals to explore specific sectors in depth.

A highlight of the 2026 edition is the Netherlands as the guest of honour, marking the strong partnership between Nigeria and the Netherlands in the agrofood sector. This special designation will promote Dutch expertise and create valuable opportunities for collaboration between the two nations' agricultural stakeholders.

Key features of Agrofood Nigeria 2026 include:
- Increased regional reach with attendees from across West and Central Africa.

- Government participation, including ministries from both federal and Lagos State governments, demonstrating strong support for the event.

- National pavilions from countries such as China, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and South Africa, highlighting international collaboration.

- Over 100 global exhibitors showcasing tailored products and solutions for the Nigerian market.

- Insightful conference sessions, building on the success of 2025 with more speakers and networking opportunities.

- Co-location with WACCSE, promoting advancements in West Africa’s cold chain sector, enhancing technology and cooperation.

With support from over 20 respected organisations, including government agencies, international chambers, and trade bodies, Agrofood Nigeria 2026 cements its position as West Africa’s leading platform for innovation in the agrofood and packaging sectors.

Nigeria’s growing agrofood sector is reflected in its significant investments in food and packaging technology, making it one of Africa’s largest importers in this field. The Nigerian food market is projected to reach US$233.53bn by end of 2025, with a steady annual growth rate of over 10%, further boosting the importance of this key event.