The Africa Agri Expo (AAE) 2026 and Future Food Livestock and Poultry Expo (FLIP) 2026 opened today at the SabaSaba International Trade Fair Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, bringing together exhibitors, investors, government representatives and agricultural stakeholders from Tanzania, Africa and beyond.
Organised by TAB Group, part of Gazelle Business Media Pvt Ltd, the two-day event is positioning agriculture, livestock and poultry as key areas for investment, technology adoption, value addition and trade development across the continent.
According to Dr Malinda, Director General at Veterinary of Tanzania, the country’s agricultural and livestock potential while stressing that unlocking that potential will require investment, stronger value chains, improved standards, technology and closer cooperation between producers, government institutions and private-sector players.
“We call on local and international investors to explore opportunities in the livestock sector as we have put in place measures to improve animal health and facilitate investment,” said Malinda.
Recently, Tanzania launched a five-year mass vaccination programme covering cattle, goats, sheep and poultry, with an investment of 260 billion Tanzanian shillings, according to the speech.
The programme also includes identification and traceability of animals and livestock products, with the aim of improving compliance with international standards.
The government representative said the measures had already contributed to opening new export markets, underlining the potential for further investment in livestock and related industries.
Africa’s wider agricultural opportunity
The opening discussions also placed strong emphasis on Africa’s wider agricultural opportunity. Dr. Benazir Malik said the continent holds more than 60% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, while Tanzania has more than 44 million hectares of arable land, much of which remains available for greater commercial development.
She said the opportunity extends across cereals and pulses, spices, dairy, poultry and other agricultural activities, but warned that potential alone is not enough to feed a growing population.
“Potential itself cannot feed a nation,” she said, arguing that agricultural potential must be developed, standardised, financed and connected to buyers. She identified market access, standards, technology, logistics and value addition as critical elements in converting production potential into sustainable economic growth.
The expo, she added, provides an important platform for bringing together producers, distributors, technology companies and other players across the value chain. The objective is to improve productivity, encourage production according to market requirements and create stronger commercial connections.
Challenges including high logistics costs, post-harvest losses, non-tariff barriers and inconsistent adherence to standards were also highlighted. Better access to appropriate inputs, seeds, technology and collaboration with regional bodies, embassies and development partners were identified as part of the response.
Another major theme of the opening was value addition. Speakers called for increased investment in agro-processing, meat and dairy processing, animal feed, storage, cold-chain infrastructure, packaging and logistics.
Adding value to agricultural products, they said, can do more than increase the selling price. It can create employment, strengthen enterprises, develop skills, attract investment and expand export opportunities.
The message was reflected on the exhibition floor, where companies were showcasing technologies, equipment, veterinary products and agricultural solutions.
Exhibitor’ voices
For Biovety International, the event represents an opportunity to explore the African market for the first time. Dr Sherif Elsherifa, the company’s general manager, said the company specialises in poultry production products, veterinary medicines and feed additives. Among the products being displayed is Biosecure disinfectant.
The company is particularly interested in finding distributors and partners in Africa. While it already has agents and customers in Gulf markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, Tanzania is its first entry point for exploring the wider African market. The company said its products include options suitable for small farmers and that it provides guidance and catalogues on their use.
Visitor interest was already evident on the first day, according to Elsherifa, with farmers and representatives of smaller farms visiting the stand. His message was that the company competes primarily on quality and after-sales service rather than price.
Meanwhile, Tanzanian company Mainland Farmers Centre Co. Ltd is using the expo to showcase locally manufactured, imported and distributed agricultural and livestock equipment. Director Suleiman said the company supplies irrigation systems, sprayers and poultry equipment, including drip, rain-hose and blind-pipe irrigation systems.
The company also demonstrated poultry cages and automated water and feeding systems, alongside solutions for plant nurseries. Suleiman said local manufacturing has helped reduce costs, with more than half of equipment that was previously imported now being produced locally.
For the company, the opening day brought what Suleiman described as strong interest from potential customers, with some visitors already making purchases. He said the company’s broader objective is to support farmers—from small-scale producers to commercial operators—with equipment and knowledge that can improve production, profitability and access to export markets.
With exhibitors from more than 35 countries, AAE 2026 and FLIP 2026 are therefore beginning with a clear message: Africa’s agricultural potential is substantial, but unlocking it will depend on turning investment, innovation and technology into productive, connected and market-oriented value chains.
