Organised in the framework of the EU’s Research and Innovation (R&I) cooperation with Africa and the Mediterranean region, the event was a key milestone supporting the implementation of the AU–EU Innovation Agenda (2023–2033) and the New Pact for the Mediterranean, alongside the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) R&I Roadmaps.
With the theme of “Enabling that step forward”, the Innovation Fair showcased the vibrancy of cooperation among European, African and Mediterranean innovation ecosystems, while supporting the scale up and de-risking of their most promising innovative solutions. Building on the successful previous editions held in Nairobi (2022), Cape Town (2023) and Cairo (2024), the Fair featured innovative projects, start-ups, SMEs, business support organisations and ecosystems from across Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean.
The event brought together innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to highlight transformative solutions with real potential for market and societal impact, foster collaboration, leverage funding opportunities and contribute to socio-economic growth.
Extract of the programme
Setting the Scene
- Ms Nienke Buisman (Head of International Cooperation – Asia, Africa, Middle East & Pacific, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation), co-moderator – Opened the Fair by underlining the importance of inclusive and sustainable innovation partnerships between Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
- H.E. Amb. Joan Borrell (Deputy Secretary-General, Union for the Mediterranean), co-moderator – Highlighted regional cooperation as a cornerstone for translating innovation into tangible socio-economic impact.
The 10-Year AU–EU Innovation Agenda (2023–2033)
- Dr Vincenzo Lorusso (European Commission) – Presented the joint roadmap for implementing the AU–EU Innovation Agenda and its flagship initiatives for technology transfer and capacity building.
- Mr Lukovi Seke (AUDA-NEPAD) – Emphasised Africa’s innovation priorities and the mechanisms to align them with continental frameworks for sustainable development.
Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Scalability Action Plan
- Mr Alessandro Calabrò (European Commission) – Introduced the UfM’s approach to supporting the scalability of successful innovations through policy and financing synergies.
- Ms Heba Gaber (EU Delegation to Egypt) – Illustrated country-level experiences in enabling innovation ecosystems and partnerships under the UfM Action Plan.
Pitching Session: Food & Nutrition Security & Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)
- Reham Yehia (Baramouda Sustainable Solutions, Egypt) – Showcased circular biofertilizer solutions converting agricultural waste into high-value compost.
- Guadaluna Chaer (LUXEED Robotics, Netherlands) – Presented autonomous robotic systems enhancing precision farming and reducing environmental footprints.
- Joseph Simukoko (Green Giraffe Zambia Limited, Zambia) – Introduced affordable solar irrigation and water management solutions for smallholder farmers.
- Krystel Khalil (Berytech, Lebanon) – Highlighted innovation and entrepreneurship programmes accelerating agri-tech start-ups in Lebanon and the wider MENA region.
- Aïcha Dosso (Village des Technologies de l’Information et de la Biotechnologie, Côte d’Ivoire) – Presented digital platforms empowering youth and women entrepreneurs in agribusiness.
- Tom Lismonde (Ovation SRL, Belgium) – Showcased circular economy packaging innovations to reduce plastic waste in the food value chain.
- Luke Metelerkamp (AfriFOODlinks, South Africa) – Shared models of city-to-city collaboration to foster inclusive, sustainable urban food systems.
- Prof. Emily Poppenborg (UPSCALE, Germany) – Presented research on scaling agroecological push–pull farming technologies to strengthen climate resilience.
- Christoph Stahl (TECHONEY, Luxembourg) – Introduced digital monitoring and AI-based management tools for sustainable beekeeping and pollination services.
- Prof. Lotfi Baghli (MG-FARM, France) – Demonstrated AI-powered farm management solutions improving yields and resource efficiency in precision agriculture.
Highlights
Boot Foodbridge on GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods
The GFAiR (Global Forum on Agricultural Research & Innovation) Collective Action on Forgotten Foods focuses on revitalising “forgotten” or under-utilised crops (often called Neglected and Underutilised Species, NUS) and the foods derived from them. 
These crops are typically rich in nutrients, adapted to local and marginal environments, culturally embedded, and resilient to climate stresses, yet they have been marginalized in mainstream research, development, value-chains and markets. It builds on earlier work by GFAR and reflects a broader, longer-term transformation agenda. The action aims to:
- give farmers (especially women and youth) agency and recognition as custodians of these species and their related knowledge;
- transform research, innovation and policy systems to integrate neglected foods (including upstream seed/variety development, agronomy, processing, markets, value-chains);
- knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu
- stimulate demand, market opportunities and better incomes linked to these crops;
preserve and leverage agricultural biodiversity, cultural heritage and nutrition outcomes in a food system that is too heavily focused on just a few staple crops.
AfriFOODlinks
- Coordinated by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability Africa, it connects 65 partners—including 15 African and 5 European cities—to foster collaboration, policy innovation, and city-to-city learning. The project aims to enhance food governance, promote healthy and sustainable diets, strengthen local value chains, and scale up circular economy approaches to reduce food loss and waste.
- By linking science, policy, and practice, AfriFOODlinks supports the implementation of the AU–EU Innovation Agenda and the UN Food Systems Transformation Pathways, positioning African cities as key drivers of systemic food change.
- See the dedicated blogpost
Boot of the Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP)
The Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) is a venture-space incubator launched by CGIAR and its partner institutions, designed to bridge the gap between agri-food research and market deployment by supporting both incremental and transformational innovations in agriculture, environment and health. It brings together researchers, start-ups, investors and industry actors to refine and scale innovations, pivoting research outputs toward real-world impact in a fast-changing food system landscape.
Recent event: 15 October 2025 A4IP Flagship Event: Innovating Agri-Food Research & Development Models for a Changing Landscape.
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