UAE launches expanded US$2mn Global FoodTech Challenge at Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting during the UN General Assembly. (Image source: FoodTech Challenge)

During the UN General Assembly (UNGA) this year, the latest installment of the FoodTech Challenge competition was launched at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting held in New York

In response to growing global food security challenges, the FoodTech Challenge identifies and supports leading early-stage, tech-driven solutions poised to transform food systems in harsh environments. Offering its biggest cash prize to date, FoodTech Challenge 3.0 is expanding its focus to three key areas: food and water, food and energy, and food loss and waste. 

Through a shared US$2mn cash prize, as well as go-to-market support and access to a robust network of partners, four winning start-ups will undertake new projects and partnerships to demonstrate, refine, and expand their leading tech solutions in the UAE. From this base, the teams can then scale their solutions to underserved markets in the Global South and contribute to a more food-secure future for all. Developing new ways to nourish a rapidly growing population with finite resources and such a challenging climate as that of the UAE, will provide solutions that are replicable across much of the world. 

In just two editions, the competition has garnered over 1,100 applications from start-ups across 98 countries. 

"After the historic COP28 Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, and the announcement of the partnership between the UAE and the Gates Foundation on agriculture innovation, the critical role of agriculture and food production in the wider climate crisis is increasingly coming into focus," said head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and co-chair of the FoodTech Challenge, Mariam Almheiri. "With the rising demands for food, water, and energy in the face of climate change, we need bold action, innovative thinking, and a transformative approach to our food systems."

VIV Africa 2024 will again prove to be the connecting bridge between the African and global players. (Image source: VIV Africa)

VIV Africa, the leading trade show for agriculture, dairy and poultry professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa, has announced its much-anticipated transformation from Poultry Africa

The fourth edition of the show is set to take place from 2-3 October at the prestigious Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), welcoming global stakeholders and industry leaders from across the value chain. Poultry Africa is now transitioning to VIV Africa in 2024 as it now offers a comprehensive showcase that covers the entire spectrum of animal protein production. With a focus on animal production and especially the production of Poultry layers and Poultry broilers, the event anticipates over 130 exhibitors demonstrating cutting-edge technologies and services. In a designated expansion, VIV Africa 2024 introduces two new sectors: Agriculture and Dairy, with the Horti Agri Next (HAN) Pavilion and the Dairy Pavilion respectively, bringing together an even more diverse range of industry players.

On 1 October, VIV Africa 2024 will feature the Leadership Conference, which will gather thought leaders, industry and knowledge experts, to engage in insightful discussions, exploring the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the agriculture, dairy, and poultry sectors. 

The main priority of VIV Africa 2024 is the development of a robust business platform that creates value for both visitors and exhibitors. That is naturally complemented by a knowledge-sharing content programme that encompasses the core sectors of poultry, agriculture and dairy, with a focus on technical best practices, market outlooks and pertinent themes such as water management. Break-out sessions will ensure that every sector receives dedicated attention, providing attendees with valuable insights and knowledge.

The show is supported by some of the most important bodies and organisations from within the industry – Ministry of Agriculture in Rwanda (MINAGRI), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Rwanda Poultry Industry Association, the Rwanda Development Board, Dutch Poultry Centre (DPC), Global Dairy Farmers, TRAIDE, Vetworks and World Poultry Science Association (WPSA) among others.

The 42nd international trade fair for the fruit and vegetable sector will be held from 6-8 May 2025 at the Rimini Expo Centre in Cairo. (Image source: Macfrut)

The presentation of the 42nd edition of Macfrut 2025 was held in Cairo and is expected to be even more innovative and spectacular

Held at the Rimini Expo Centre, Macfrut is the industry’s only international supply chain trade fair and is a unique event that combines three key elements for the sector’s growth: business, networking and knowledge. With Egypt as the international partner, Lazio as the Partner region and potatoes in the spotlight, the International Symposium on Biotechnological Tools in Horticulture, thematic focus sessions with a new addition, ‘The Healthy Food Show’, will be presented in an innovative and spectacular way. These are just some of the novelties of the 42nd edition of Macfrut, the international trade fair for the fruit and vegetable sector, which will be held from 6-8 May 2025.

Egypt is a strategically located Mediterranean country that has long chosen Macfrut as the world’s leading showcase for the growth of its fruit and vegetable sector. During the three-day trade fair, Egypt will play a central role with events, tastings, meetings and international presentations, supported by a large institutional and business delegation. With this international partnership, Macfrut continues to strengthen its ties with the Middle Eastern countries, which are an increasingly important market for the sector. 

The Lazio region, known for its certified quality products, will take centre stage at the 42nd edition of Macfrut, with various products such as PDO chestnut, PGI artichoke, PDO potato and PDO hazelnut, among others featured at the three-day event and presented in detail to an international audience as part of an extensive programme of initiatives. 

As one of the world’s most widely grown crops, with a global production area of around 18 million hectares, potatoes will be the star product of the 2025 edition. The trade fair will host the International Potato Symposium, a two-day event featuring in-depth discussions on technical, agronomic and market issues with international experts, global stakeholders and leading researchers in the sector. 

For the first time, Macfrut will host the Biotechnology Symposium, sponsored by the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS), which promotes research in all areas of horticultural science. It will be an opportunity for plant biotechnology researchers and the production chain to meet. The aim is to present the latest technical and scientific information on technologies used in plant in vitro cultures, plant propagation and the creation of new, resilient and high-quality varieties.  

A number of themed exhibitions such as the Healthy Food Show, the Biosolutions International Event, the Plant Nursery area, the Spices & Herbs Global Expo, the Agrisolar Systems & Technologies, the Red Planet, the water revolution and Macfrut Field Solutions will showcase innovations that address issues in modern fruit and vegetable production. 

The event will bring together over 200 delegates, featuring more than 35 expert speakers. (Image source: SACEH)

TheRockGroup (TRG) in South Africa, the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN), and Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya (SIB-K) have united to present the South Africa Circular Economy Hotspot 2024 (#SACEH24) which is scheduled to take place on 19 and 20 September 

Generously hosted at the vibrant Hasso Plattner d-School Afrika at the University of Cape Town, the event will bring together over 200 delegates, featuring more than 35 expert speakers, including: Professor Linda Godfrey – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Hélène Rekkers – Netherlands Consul-general in Cape Town, among others. 

The event will showcase 25 exhibitors presenting sustainable and circular solutions in South Africa, and participants will also have the opportunity to engage with panelists discussing critical topics around circular practices. Interactive field trips to regenerative destinations will immerse participants in on-the-ground experience of best practices in circular economy solutions.

#SACEH24 is a call to action for various stakeholders from diverse geographic regions to foster a more holistic, inclusive, and effective approach to advancing circular economy principles in Africa. Media partners are invited to engage with leading innovators, policymakers, and changemakers shaping the future of the circular economy in Southern Africa. This is an unmissable opportunity to be part of the conversation driving sustainable change.