Two Shows. One Value Chain. One Successful Start.
Nairobi, Kenya – The 4th Edition of Africa Food Show Kenya, co-located with The Hotel Expo Kenya, opened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to a strong trade visitor turnout, busy aisles and an energetic atmosphere from the moment the doors opened.
Registration remained active throughout the morning, complemented by vibrant Kenyan cultural performances. Exhibitors were fully prepared, with live demonstrations, product displays and sampling creating an immediate environment for business engagement and opportunities.
Organised by MIE Events FZCO and delivered locally by Global Exhibitions Inc., the exhibitions brought together government and diplomatic representatives, industry leaders, exhibitors, buyers, investors and trade professionals from Africa and international markets.
The opening day generated valuable opportunities for business connections, partnerships, knowledge exchange and trade, setting a strong tone for the three-day event.
Opening Ceremony
The official opening ceremony of the Africa Food Show Kenya 2026 and Hotel Expo Kenya 2026 commenced with the National Anthem of the Republic of Kenya and the East African Community Anthem, followed by an opening reflection that set the tone for a gathering centred on unity, regional cooperation, trade, investment and shared economic growth.
The occasion continued with the keynote address by the Chief Guest, Mrs. Mercy Wanjau, EGH, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya. Followed by followed by welcome remarks from a distinguished line-up of government representatives, industry leaders, development partners and international institutions, including
- Edwin Masivo – Country Director, Global Exhibitions Inc., Kenyan Subsidiary of MIE Events FZCO
- Dr. Daniel Mwendah M’Mailutha – President, World Farmers’ Organisation, and Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF)
- Ms. Agatha Thuo – Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET)
- Ms. Linet Luvai – Deputy Representative, UNIDO Kenya
- Mr. Matteo Marchisio – Country Director and Representative for Kenya, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
- Ms. Farayi Zimudzi – FAO Representative in Kenya, represented by Dr. Charles Bebay, FAO Regional Manager, Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Eastern and Southern Africa
- Dr. Ashraf El Far – Secretary General, Arab Federation of Dates, Egypt
- His Excellency Ruzaimi Mohamad – High Commissioner of Malaysia to the Republic of Kenya
- Hon. Jonathan Mueke, CBS – Principal Secretary, State Department for Livestock Development, represented by Ms. Joan Atieno Otiang
- Dr. Paul Ronoh, CBS – Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, represented by Dr. Patrick K. Ketiem, Director General, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
Speakers highlighted the strategic importance of the co-located exhibitions as platforms for trade, technology transfer, agro-processing investment and hospitality sector development, bringing government, development partners and the private sector together on one commercial platform.
The ceremony concluded with the High-Level Guided Tour of the Exhibitions and the Official Opening of the Africa Food Show Conference, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony formally launching the 4th Edition.
Exhibition Walkthrough
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mrs. Mercy Wanjau, EGH, accompanied by MIE Events officials and the visiting delegation, toured the exhibition floor, engaging with exhibitors across both shows.
The walkthrough showcased innovative products, technologies and solutions across the farm-to-market value chain, while providing an opportunity for direct engagement among exhibitors, buyers, investors and industry stakeholders.
At Africa Food Show Kenya, discussions highlighted the importance of local production, value addition, agro-processing, modern equipment, packaging, cold-chain solutions and logistics in strengthening food security, creating employment, increasing producer incomes and expanding African products into regional and international markets.
The strong activity continued throughout the day, with busy aisles, live demonstrations, product sampling and active business discussions. Strong cross-traffic between the two exhibitions connected food, agriculture and hospitality buyers, demonstrating the value of the co-located format in driving trade, investment, partnerships and industry growth across Africa.
“From farm to factory, and from local markets to global opportunity, Africa Food Show Kenya connects the value chain driving Africa’s economic growth.”
– David Wang, Chairman, MIE Events
Backed by Government and Global Institutions
The Republic of Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development anchors the 2026 edition within national priorities, supporting opportunities in investment, technology transfer, value addition and market access.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) brings a broader food-systems perspective, including sustainable production, food safety, post-harvest loss reduction and climate resilience.
Also supported by:
- Kenya Tourism Board
- FAMA – Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, Malaysia
- Arab Federation for Dates
- Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce
- Tea & Coffee Association
- International Trade Council
National Pavilions Strengthen Regional Trade
National pavilions were another key opening-day highlight, bringing companies and institutions together under coordinated country showcases and giving buyers a streamlined platform to discover suppliers and explore partnerships.
The South African pavilions featured SMEs and established businesses across food processing, packaging, agricultural inputs, fresh produce, beverages, agri-processing technology and cold-chain solutions.
The participation of the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) highlighted the importance of SME development, financing and export support, while the Western Cape Department of Agriculture showcased the province’s strong agricultural and agri-processing capabilities.
The pavilions reinforced the importance of market access, cross-border partnerships and intra-African trade in strengthening the continent’s food value chain.
Registration Remains Open
Entry is free for verified trade visitors. Pre-registration is recommended to secure access to both exhibitions and the B2B matchmaking programme.
- Africa Food Show Kenya: https://reg.meetby.net/afskenya2026-visitorregister?utm_source=website&utm_medium=forms
- The Hotel Expo Kenya: https://hotelexpo.africa/
International Enquiries
Noel Puno, Director – Exhibitions & Projects
+971 4 425 3337 Ext. 212 | +971 50 269 7037
noel.puno@mieevents.com
Project Manager (HQ)
Meloida Caridad, MIE Events FZCO
+971 4 425 3337 Ext. 291 | +971 58 960 5917
mel@mieevents.com
