KIGALI, Rwanda — VIV Africa 2026 officially opened in Kigali yesterday, bringing together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to explore investment, innovation and solutions for the development of the continent’s poultry and livestock value chains.
The two-day VIV Africa 2026 Expo and Conference is being held at the Kigali Convention Centre on October 7–8, with the official opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting led by Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), alongside Her Excellency Joan Wiegman, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Rwanda; Ms. Natasha Hall; and Ms. Natalie Taylor.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ndabamenye said the gathering comes at a time when challenges affecting food systems and distribution require greater collaboration and investment across the agricultural value chain.
He described VIV Africa 2026 as an opportunity for stakeholders to identify practical solutions that can strengthen production and value-chain development while addressing wider social and economic challenges.
“VIV Africa 2026 gathering is a unique opportunity to seek solutions for a productive value chain development and subsequently addresses key social challenges and intercontinental and global efforts,” Dr. Ndabamenye said.
He said Rwanda is seeking to expand its agricultural value chains as outlined in the country’s strategic plan for agricultural transformation, with particular attention to the poultry sector.
According to the minister, Rwanda is targeting significant growth in poultry production, including a 24 percent increase in poultry meat production by 2029 and a 25 percent increase in egg production over the same period.
“Rwanda has a mission to grow this value chain as it is described in the strategic plan for agriculture transformation in Rwanda,” he said.
Dr. Ndabamenye said the ambitions being pursued by Rwanda are also shared by several other African countries, creating opportunities for businesses, investors and other private-sector players involved in livestock and poultry production.
“Several African countries have those aspirations and so offer business opportunity for all of us here, especially the private sector players,” he said.
He urged participants attending the expo and conference to take advantage of investment opportunities available across Africa and to contribute to the development of agricultural value chains.
“I wanted to encourage all participants to take advantage of the favorable investment climate which is offered by the African countries to invest in this value chain,” Dr. Ndabamenye said.
He also highlighted the role of the Rwanda Development Board in supporting investment and addressing issues related to investment incentives.
The minister called on investors and industry players to work together to develop innovative solutions that can address social challenges while expanding businesses within Africa and international markets.
“I also encourage investors here present to collaborate and innovate to solve social issues, make money and expand business at the continent and the global level,” he said.
The minister further encouraged visitors attending VIV Africa for the first time to explore Rwanda beyond the conference by visiting the country’s tourism attractions.
The opening ceremony brought together industry players, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders with an interest in Africa’s animal protein and agricultural value chains.
VIV Africa 2026 provides a platform for participants to exchange ideas, showcase technologies and explore business opportunities in sectors including poultry and livestock production.
The event is expected to continue discussions on how investment, innovation and stronger value chains can contribute to food security, economic growth and the development of Africa’s agricultural sector.
“Once again, it is my great honour to declare the VIV 2026 Expo and Conference officially open,” said Dr. Ndabamenye.
