Agro-industry at the Italy–Africa Business Week (IABW)

The 9th edition of the Italy–Africa Business Week (IABW) was an international forum held in Rome from 4–6 March 2026 that brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and civil-society representatives from Italy and various African countries. Organized with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other partners, the forum served as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between the two regions. Its aim was to strengthen economic and institutional partnerships by encouraging investment, business collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge between Italian and African stakeholders.

The 2026 edition focused on the theme “Africa–Italy: Partnership for Sustainable Development.” Discussions addressed strategic sectors such as renewable energy, agro-industry, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and green finance, while also highlighting entrepreneurship, skills development, and youth employment. The forum featured conferences, roundtables, workshops, and B2B networking sessions designed to connect companies and institutions, promote public-private partnerships, and support long-term cooperation for sustainable economic growth in both Italy and Africa.

06/03 Session: Italy–Africa. Energy, Innovation, and Agriculture at the Center of the Sustainable Transition

• Ester Stefanelli, Manager public affairs
  
  Africa subsahariana, Eni
• Oroh Roland Oletu, Director, Agribusiness EU-Nigeria Platform
• Mario Di Giulio, Lecturer in Law of Developing Countries, Università Campus Bio-Medico
  
  
  
• Rima Jreich, Senior Policy and Regulatory officer, Res4Africa See some resources 
• Valentina Gentile, Head of the Innovation for Public Administration Service, ENEA
• Madi Sakandé, General Manager, New Cold System
• Cristina Altomare, Climate Finance Lead, UNDP Rome Centre

06/03 The Role of the youth in the cooperation between Africa and Italy 

• Ange Rosine Ishimwe, President, Africa
  Connect Initiative.
  ACI, is a Rome-based platform. The initiative aims to bring together young students and scholars to foster intercultural communities of solidarity, share ideas, and build networks.
• Angelique Umutoni, Program Coordinator, Africa Connect Initiative

She referred to the AU-EU Youth Action Lab. This is a transformative initiative under the broader AU-EU Youth Lab programme, designed to address the lack of opportunities for youth in Africa and Europe to collaborate, innovate, and drive solutions to shared challenges. Implemented by a dynamic consortium including Oxfam, Restless Development, and the European Youth Forum, the Youth Action Lab empowers young changemakers across continents.

• Carlos Lougourou, Outreach Coordinator, Africa Connect Initiative
• Giuseppe Bennici, International business developer
• Roxani Roushas, Youth4Climate Coordinator, UNDP
• Moderator: Francis Kaduki, Project Assistant, Italia Africa Business Week

Botswana Agriculture Business and Investment Forum

26–27 February 2026. Gaborone. Botswana Agriculture Business and Investment Forum 

The Botswana Agriculture Business and Investment Forum brought together policymakers, investors, development partners, farmers, and agribusiness leaders to discuss investment opportunities and partnerships for transforming Botswana’s agri-food sector. The event focused on mobilizing finance, strengthening value chains, and positioning agriculture as a driver of economic diversification.

Theme: “Catalyzing Investments in Agri-Food Systems for Inclusive Growth and Food Sovereignty.”

For more information, contact: +267 77730480 and Kebabonye.Morewagae@fao.org or +26774459630 and boikobotubego@gmail.com

Download here the BETP Opportunities Compendium 67 p

Over 400 participants attended, including government officials, financial institutions, development partners, and private sector investors.

The forum aimed to translate national agricultural policy into investable opportunities.

26/02 Strategic Vision for Agriculture

Key speakers

• Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President and Minister of Finance of Botswana
• Edwin Dikoloti, Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture
• Carla Mucavi, FAO Representative in Botswana
• Keletsositse Olebile, CEO, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC)
  
  Mr. Olebile stated that the inaugural agribusiness and investment forum comes as BITC launches its 2025–2030 Strategy, aligned with national priorities and the Botswana
  Economic Transformation Programme (BETP). The Strategy positions agribusiness investment as central to economic diversification, food security, exports, and rural development. To strengthen Botswana’s competitiveness, BITC is leading a review of investment incentives, including those for agriculture, benchmarked to global best practices. The CEO cited ongoing major projects:
  
• Smallholder Producer Cooperatives (SPC) expansion into Robelela and Tshokwe (investment over BWP 500 million, 1000+ jobs)
• Dr. Henn Africa project in Mogobane (US$60 million investment, 3000+ jobs), covering poultry breeding, broilers, eggs, and processing
• progress in industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, where BITC has accredited two major projects worth US$125 million with over 2000 jobs expected, and is facilitating three more that will include primary production and value addition.

Main messages

• Agriculture must become a key pillar of economic diversification beyond Botswana’s traditional reliance on diamonds.
• Government aims to increase agriculture’s contribution to GDP from ~2% to about 6%.
• Stronger investment, value addition, and export-oriented production are needed.

Priority investment areas highlighted

• 
  Meat processing and livestock value chains
  
• Crop production and seed systems
• Food processing and feed manufacturing
• Fruit tree plantations and horticulture
• Controlled-environment agriculture
• Aquaculture and freshwater fisheries
• Safflower was not explicitly listed among the core commodities. However, it does appear as an emerging strategic crop in Botswana’s agriculture sector, which could make it a potential investment opportunity.
  
  

26/02 Agricultural Investment Opportunities in Botswana

Focus

• Presentation of Botswana’s agricultural investment pipeline
• Role of BITC in facilitating investment partnerships
• Opportunities across priority value chains

Key speaker

• Keletsositse Olebile, CEO, BITC

Key issues discussed

• Limited compliance with international standards restricting export access
• Need for technical capacity, certification systems, and market readiness for producers.

26/02 Financing and Risk Mitigation for Agribusiness

Speakers / organizations

• First National Bank Botswana
• Letsego Holdings (microfinance)
• Hollard Insurance
  
• Development finance institutions and national banks

Key topics

• Agricultural finance models
• Risk management instruments (insurance, guarantees)
• Access to credit for farmers and SMEs
• Blended finance for agri-food systems.
  
  

27/02 Building Competitive Value Chains

Focus

• Strengthening value chains for domestic and export markets
  
• Agro-processing and value addition
• Integration of smallholders into commercial supply chains

Speakers

• Ms. Naledi Madala BETP Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Finance: Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) agricultural projects (see video day 2 @ 2:00:00)
  The Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) includes a pipeline of 26 agriculture-related projects designed to transform Botswana’s agricultural sector from subsistence production to modern, export-oriented agro-industrial systems. The programme is part of a broader national strategy to diversify Botswana’s economy away from heavy dependence on diamonds and to increase agriculture’s contribution to GDP.
• Agribusiness leaders
• Development partners including FAO

Key outcomes

• Greater emphasis on value-added products such as processed meat and nutraceuticals for export markets.
  
  

27/02 Innovation, Climate Resilience, and Skills

Themes

• Climate-smart agriculture
• Digital agriculture tools
• Youth and women participation in agribusiness
• Innovation ecosystems for agri-food systems

Participants

• Technology providers
• Agricultural entrepreneurs
• development organizations and innovation hubs.

27/02 Investment Pitch & Partnership Platform

A dedicated segment allowed agribusinesses and investors to present projects and partnerships, focusing on:

• Bankable agribusiness projects
• Public-private partnerships
• Investment matchmaking.
  
  

27/02 Closing Session

Speaker

• Phenyo Mokete Segokgo, who delivered the vote of thanks in the closing session.

Key conclusions

• Botswana needs greater private sector investment in agriculture.
• Strengthened partnerships between government, financiers, and producers are essential.
• Agri-food systems transformation is central to food sovereignty and economic diversification.
• Botswana needs to facilitate prospective investors "to put money on the table and do things" (see second video of the first day). Find out what the frustrations are of the investors.

Day 1.

Day 2.

Harnessing Global Opportunities in Underutilized Legumes Value Chains

25 February 2026.  Harnessing Global Opportunities in Underutilized Legumes Value Chains

How to harness global marketing and product developments for underutilized legumes particularly Bambara groundnut, Winged Bean, Common bean etc.

• The overall goal was to gain a better understanding of how Bambara groundnut and others can be utilized globally to achieve the desired support for both human and animal health, while also considering their impacts for sustainable environments.
• With Joanna Kane-Potaka of the Global Forum for Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAIR)

Germany's Multilateral Engagement and Food Security

27 February 2026.  “Strengthening Multilateral Engagement and Food Security – Evaluation insights from Germany’s Development Cooperation”

The session featured presentations by colleagues from the German Institute for Development Cooperation (DEval) and explored: 

• Key findings from the evaluation of Germany’s multilateral engagement, including the effectiveness of core and earmarked financing modalities;
• Evidence on the effects of capacity strengthening interventions on food security and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Implications for strengthening multilateral portfolios and enhancing food systems resilience.

Speakers:

• Carlos Tarazona (OED) 
• Clair Null (OED) 
• Clemencia Cosentino (OED)

Related:

Römling, C., A. Sting, L. Kunert and C. Wicke (2025), The Effects of Capacity Strengthening Interventions on Food Security and Nutrition. Evidence Synthesis of Development Cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa, German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), Bonn, 8 pp

AI-powered advisory tool reaching farmers across Kenya

26 February 2026.  AI in Ag: What 450 Farmers Taught Us About Digital Advisory at Scale

60 Decibels and Digital Green organised a deep dive into the findings from a recent study on FarmerChat, an AI-powered advisory tool reaching farmers across Kenya. It explored what’s working, where there’s room to grow, and how farmer feedback is shaping the future of digital agtech.

• Tetyana Zelenska, Digital Green, Head of MEL 
• Ellie Turner, Head of Agriculture, 60 Decibels

Resource:

Digital Green (2025) FarmerChat Study PPT 47 pp

AI in Smallholder Agriculture: Hype or Game Changer?

26 February 2026. AI in Smallholder Agriculture: Hype or Game Changer? by the Agri-Food Innovation Centre (SAFIC) of Strathmore University.

Access the resources and join the Community of Practice here:

1. Webinar Recording: Link.
2. Webinar Feedback Form: Link.
3. CoP Joining Link
4. Kilimo AI
5. SAFIC Website

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries across the world  from healthcare and finance to education and logistics. Yet one important question remains: can AI meaningfully transform smallholder agriculture, or is it another wave of technological hype?

This question formed the foundation of the webinar, “AI in Smallholder Agriculture: Hype or Game Changer?”, convened by the Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center (SAFIC) Agri-Markets Data for Investment and Growth (AMDiG) Community of Practice. The discussion brought together experts in agricultural systems, digital finance, and responsible AI to explore whether emerging technologies can address the real constraints farmers face today.

• Dr. Denis Mujibi The Associate Center Director SAFIC opened the discussion by emphasizing that while AI has become part of everyday digital life, its relevance to farmers must be judged through practical outcomes. Smallholder farmers operate within complex ecosystems shaped by climate risks, fragmented markets, and limited access to advisory services. Many challenges, speakers noted, are not caused by lack of effort or knowledge but by broken information flows. Farmers often receive delayed, inconsistent, or inaccessible advice  limiting their ability to make profitable decisions. The discussion highlighted that improving how information moves across agricultural systems may be one of AI’s most important opportunities.
• SAFIC’s Principal Lead AI for Agricultural Transformation Mr. Joseph Gitonga, noted “Smallholder farmers operate under thin margins, climate uncertainty, fragmented value chains, and limited extension support. AI delivers the greatest value when it augments existing human systems rather than replacing them. Diagnostic and advisory AI tools are currently the most practical applications because they provide measurable and immediate outcomes.”

Rather than viewing AI as a universal solution, speakers agreed that its strongest value lies in augmenting existing human systems, particularly extension services. Diagnostic tools, localized advisory platforms, and decision-support systems were identified as early areas where AI can deliver tangible benefits. However, the panel cautioned that many digital agriculture initiatives fail because they provide information without enabling action. Technology must connect advice to inputs, markets, and financial services if farmers are to see real change.

• Dr. Elizabeth Wamicha an AI & Digital Innovation Researcher & Advisor – Qhala noted that “Trust in AI systems depends on transparency around how farmer data is collected, stored, and used. Farmer data literacy is critical so producers understand the value and risks associated with sharing their information. Farmers should be treated as knowledge contributors rather than passive data sources. AI development must shift from data extraction toward farmer empowerment and co-creation.”
• Digital finance specialist Jared Ochieng highlighted another critical challenge: despite increased access to financial services, many farmers remain financially vulnerable. Traditional credit systems rely on formal financial histories, leaving many smallholders “invisible” to lenders. AI offers an opportunity to incorporate alternative data  such as transaction patterns and behavioural indicators  to better understand farmer cash flows and risk profiles. Yet innovation must be approached responsibly. Without safeguards, AI-driven finance could deepen exclusion or expose farmers to new risks. Transparency, consumer protection, and ethical data use were identified as essential foundations.

A recurring theme throughout the webinar was trust. Experts emphasized that AI systems must be intentionally designed to include women, rural communities, and farmers with limited digital footprints. Poorly designed datasets risk reinforcing inequalities rather than solving them. 

Participants stressed the importance of treating farmers not merely as data sources but as collaborators in innovation. Building data literacy and ensuring transparency around how information is collected and used will be key to long-term adoption.

The webinar concluded with a clear consensus: AI has the potential to transform smallholder agriculture  but only if grounded in real farmer needs. Technology alone cannot solve systemic agricultural challenges. Success will depend on collaboration between researchers, innovators, financial institutions, policymakers, and farmers themselves. AI is neither pure hype nor an automatic game changer. Its impact will ultimately be defined by how responsibly, inclusively, and practically it is applied.

Webinars and events March

9 March 2026. 21:00–23:00: CFF AGROSCHOOLING PROJECT

12 March 2026. 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Consumers want nutritious, low-impact food: How can innovation deliver at scale?

12 March 2026. 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Consumers want nutritious, low-impact food: How can innovation deliver at scale?

16 - 19 March 2026 (GMT+8). Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026

Hybrid, ADB HQ, Manila, Philippines

15-20 March 2026. International symposium on Beverage crops South Africa

• Under the theme ‘Beverage Crops: Sustainability and Scientific Advancements in the 21st Century,’ this symposium will highlight the latest research, technological innovations, and industry trends shaping the future of beverage crop production and processing.
• This theme reflects the growing importance of beverage crops in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and global trade. Beverage crops encompass a vast diversity of fruits, nuts, vegetables, vine and berry fruits, and botanical plants used for fresh juices, extracts, fermentations, and infusions.
• From widely consumed beverages such as coffee, tea, beer, and wine to emerging plant-based alternatives like almond and soy beverages, as well as herbal infusions rich in bioactive compounds—including the proudly South African Rooibos tea—this symposium provides a platform for scientific exchange, innovation, and industry collaboration.
• This event builds on the success of previous symposia held in Cairns, Australia (2016), Xi’an, China (2018), and Murcia, Spain (2023)

18 March 2026. 10:00 AM US EDT | 2:00 PM GMT Interactive virtual information session Moonshots for Development Open Innovation Challenge Info Session

24 March 2026. New global opportunities for Belgian agri-food: how can BIO support you?

25-27 March 2026 – Lusaka, Zambia. Africa Food Manufacturing Zambia & Southern Africa

6-7 April 2026, Dubai, UAE. 5th International Conference on Plant Science & Agricultural Research (ICPAR 2026)

14 April 2026. Brussels. Forum for the Future of Agriculture (ForumforAg) Annual Conference

20 - 26 April 2026. Salon International de l'Agriculture au Maroc (SIAM 2026)

• The 18th edition will focus on "Durability of livestock production and food sovereignty" (Durabilité de la production animale et souveraineté alimentaire).

21 - 23 April 2026. Rimini. Macfrut 2026 fruit and veg professional show

6 - 7 May 2026. GLF Africa 2026: Rangelands

• 25-28 May 2026 at FAO Headquarters, Rome Nutrition Week
• 25 May: Nutrition Evidence and Innovation for Shaping Agrifood Systems Transformation (thematic lead: FAO)
• 26 May: Local Food Solutions for Global Impact (thematic lead: WFP)
• 27 May: Aligning Financing for Nutrition Integration (thematic lead: IFAD)
• 28 May: Delivering as One for Coherent Nutrition Action (thematic lead: UNN)
• Proposals can be submitted via this form by 13 March 2026 (COB).

9 - 11 June 2026. Stuttgart. Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Indigenous and Underutilised Crops: Rethinking Value Chains for Sustainable Food Futures

1-2 July 2026. Utrecht, the Netherlands. Land, Conflict, and Peace conference

15-17 July 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Food Manufacturing Kenya & Eastern Africa

16 July 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya. Africa Food Awards

27–31 July 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria. 9th Africa Agriculture and Science Week AASW9 and the 10th FARA General Assembly

25 - 26 August 2026. Leuven, KU Leuven. Plant-Based Fermented Foods for Healthier and More Sustainable Diets - HealthFerm Final Conference

8-10 September 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE. Agra Middle East 2026 (AgraME 2026)

September 2026. Africa Food Systems Forum 2026

16 to 18 September 2026 in Göttingen (Germany) and online. TROPENTAG under the theme 'Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient future'.

• The call for abstracts is now open. You can submit abstracts for either in-person or online presentations until 24 April 2026 via the Submission Portal
• The call for workshops is open until 3 May 2026. If you are interested in organizing a workshop, FILL IN THIS TEMPLATE and send it to info@tropentag.de no later than 3 May.

15-17 September 2026 – Lagos, Nigeria Africa Food Manufacturing Nigeria & Western Africa

22–25 September 2026. Nairobi (Kenya). Smart Agriculture: Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Trade for a Climate-Challenged Africa.

• The event invites papers and proposals on topics like climate-smart ag, agri-finance, digital tech, value chains, and gender/youth in agriculture, with submissions due by March 31, 2026 
• by African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).

October 2026. FAO’s World Food Forum (WFF) Youth Assembly 

• This is a year-round platform for youth engagement in agrifood systems. It includes ongoing virtual and thematic consultations throughout the year and typically culminates in activities around the flagship World Food Forum event in October.

19–23 October 2026. FAO HQ, Rome, Italy. CFS 54th Plenary Session

19-30 October 2026. Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

31 October 2026. International Conference on Agroforestry Systems for Climate Adaptation and Biodiversity (ICASCAAB-2026)

• Focuses on agroforestry systems, climate adaptation, and biodiversity — a platform for researchers and practitioners to share developments in the field.

25-27 November 2026. Santiago, Chile. XI CONGRESSO LATINOAMERICANO DE AGROECOLOGIA