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Conference Agenda

Theme Building a Resilient Africa – The Youth, Agribusiness and Tech for Economic Transformation
Day 1: Empowering African Youth for Economic Transformation
Date Wednesday May 27 2026
Focus Unlocking  the Potential of African Youth as Catalysts for Innovation, Inclusive Growth, Entreprenurship and Impactful Leadership
Time Duration Session Details Synopsis Facilitattor
8:00 1:00 Registration, Networking  ( All day)
9:00 3:00 Pre-Conference Master Class
12:00 1:00 Lunch, Network Delegates network &  compare notes and collaboration opportunities
13:00 0:45 Opening Formalities
13:45 0:10  Welcome Address
13:55 0:40 Goodwil Messages
14:35 0:20 Introduction of IFTDO Board Members &  2026 theme; “Building a Resilient Africa – The Youth, Agribusiness and Tech for Economic Transformation”.
14:55 0:20 Main Screen Sponsor Showcases Screening of advertiser, exhibitor and sponsor marketing videos and brands
Alotted talk time by sponsors on main stage
15:15 0:30 1. Opening Ceremony Address                                                                       2. Opening & Tour of the Exhibition Arena The Exhibition area will be opened by the Special Guest of honor/IFTDO President
15:45 1:00 Keynote Address 1-                                                               “Building a Resilient Africa – The Youth, Agribusiness and Tech for Economic Transformation” Africa stands at a defining moment, endowed with youthful energy, vast agricultural resources, and growing technological adoption. The challenge is to transform this potential into prosperity by positioning youth as innovators, modernizing agriculture into agribusiness, and leveraging technology for inclusive growth.

This keynote highlights pathways to shift youth from job seekers to job creators, evolve agriculture from subsistence to a thriving agribusiness sector, and harness digital tools for global competitiveness. It will also showcase success stories, enabling policies, and collaborative frameworks that can build inclusive, resilient economies across Africa.
Learning Takeaways
– Understand how Africa’s demographic dividend can drive transformation through youth empowerment.
– Explore how youth-led agribusiness and modern technologies strengthen food security and job creation.
– Learn how digital tools, AI, and smart farming can scale agribusiness and improve global competitiveness.
– Identify policy and ecosystem enablers for youth innovation and agritech.
– Recognize the role of partnerships and cross-sector collaboration in building resilience.
– Gain insights into scaling successful pilot initiatives into continent-wide impact.

 TBA
16:45 0:10 Day 1 Closing Remarks
16:55 0:00 Day 1 Closes
6pm Welcome Cocktail/Dance All delegates expected to attend the Welcome dinner and network with other delegates and Board members of IFTDO
Day 2: Agribusiness Reinvented: Engine of Growth, Technology-Driven Food Security & Jobs
Date Thursday May 28, 2026
Focus Harnessing technology and innovation to reinvent agriculture for food security, economic growth, and resilient livelihoods.
Time Duration Session
8:00 0:45 Settling in, Networking
8:45 0:10 Opening Recap
8:55 0:40 Keynote Address 2                                                                                  “From remote farms to Global Market: Integrating African Agribusiness into Global Value Chains from Policy to tech enabled solutions” Integrating African agribusiness into global value chains (GVCs) is essential for unlocking economic potential and food security. This requires transforming subsistence farming into a globally competitive sector through supportive policies, public–private partnerships, and innovative, tech-enabled solutions.

Key enablers include regional integration, industrial policy, modern infrastructure, and access to finance. Equally, technology—ranging from precision agriculture and digital marketplaces to blockchain traceability and biotechnology—offers powerful tools to boost efficiency, enhance quality, and connect farmers directly with markets.
Learning Takeaways
– Understand challenges and opportunities in linking African agribusiness to global value chains.
– Explore policy solutions that foster competitiveness, investment, and regional integration.
– Learn how Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and industrial policies can drive large-scale transformation.
– Discover tech-enabled innovations that reduce losses, improve productivity, and build trust in African products.
– Identify practical strategies for positioning African agribusiness as a key global food security contributor.

 TBA
9:35 0:50 Tea Break, Networking Delegates network &  compare notes and collaboration opportunities
10:25 1:00 Conference Break-out Session (CBS) 1:                                              Topic 1 – “Building Resilient Youth-led SMEs in Agribusiness and Tech” Facilitator 1 – TBA Youth bring energy, innovation, and technology adoption that can transform agribusiness into a driver of prosperity. Agribusiness extends beyond farming into machinery, seed supply, processing plants, and value chain systems. By leveraging technology and mentorship, youth-led SMEs can overcome business challenges, increase profitability, and sustain growth while reducing unemployment.
Learning Takeaways
– Identify opportunities in agribusiness production, processing, and distribution.
– Explore value chain opportunities such as supply systems and processing plants.
– Apply research and technology to maximize productivity and profitability.
– Understand how youth-led SMEs can make agribusiness attractive and reduce unemployment.
 Conference Break-out Session (CBS) 2:                                                    Topic 2 – “Post-Harvest Loss Reduction: Innovations in Storage, Processing, and Distribution” Facilitator 2- TBA Post-harvest losses significantly undermine food security, farmer income, and sustainability in Africa. Innovations in storage, processing, and distribution—from smart silos and solar-powered cold storage to blockchain traceability and predictive analytics—offer scalable solutions. Building efficient markets and supply chains can further reduce waste, boost productivity, and ensure greater resilience.
Learning Takeaways
– Explore innovative storage, processing, and distribution solutions that reduce losses.
– Understand the benefits of improved packaging, traceability, and predictive analytics.
– Learn how structured markets and shorter supply chains improve food quality and pricing.
– Recognize the economic, environmental, and social gains of post-harvest loss reduction.
11:25 1:00 Panel Discussion 1:                                                                           “Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equality in Agribusiness Value Chain – A review of the role of women and Youth in the value chain” Despite being the backbone of Africa’s economy, agribusiness continues to underrepresent women and youth, who face barriers in finance, markets, technology, and decision-making. This session examines inclusive strategies, successful models, and policy frameworks that integrate women and youth into the value chain, boosting resilience, innovation, and productivity.
Learning Takeaways
– Identify systemic barriers limiting women and youth in agribusiness.
– Explore inclusive models, case studies, and policy solutions.
– Learn how digital tools and agritech can empower marginalized groups.
– Understand the economic and social benefits of inclusive value chains.
– Gain strategies for scaling equitable models across African contexts.
12:25 0:20 Main Screen Sponsor Showcases Advertisement slots for all major conference sponsors
12:45 2:00 Lunch, Network & Exhibition Visit Delegates network &  compare notes and collaboration opportunities
14:45 1:00 Actionable Insight 1 A case study that is practical and blends storytelling with takeaways
15:45 0:10 Day 2 Closing Remarks
15:55 2:00 Visit to a Farm Practical tour of a functional farm in Kigali for ontime/realtime Conference experience
Day 3: Building Resilient Tech-Empowered Ecosystem
Date Friday May 29, 2026
Focus Embedding technology at the core of Africa’s economic systems to unlock scalable growth, resilient infrastructure, and global competitiveness
Time Duration Session
8:00 0:45 Settling in, Networking
8:45 0:10 Opening Recap
8:55 1:00 Panel Discussion 2                                                                    “Cross-Border Agricultural Trade: Policies, Standards, and Market Access” Cross-border agricultural trade is central to food security and economic integration in Africa. However, challenges around policies, standards, and market access hinder efficiency and competitiveness. This session explores how harmonized policies, improved standards, and strategic interventions can unlock regional and global trade opportunities.
Learning Takeaways
– Examine the impact of trade policies on cross-border agricultural markets.
– Understand the role of standards and quality regulations in facilitating trade.
– Identify challenges and opportunities in regional and global market access.
– Learn strategies for harmonizing trade policies and reducing barriers.
– Explore interventions to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in cross-border trade.		 TBA
9:55 0:40 Panel 3:                                                                                      Building Resilient Tech-Empowered Ecosystem leveraging on rising demographics and the looming dangers ahead if ignored This Session e explores how demographic shifts and digital transformation intersect to shape future-ready business ecosystems. It highlights how Gen Z and millennials, urbanization, and global population dynamics demand new strategies for resilience, while digital technologies offer opportunities to create sustainable competitive advantages.

The session will examine organizational risks of inaction and provide frameworks for aligning strategy, talent, and technology to build resilient, inclusive, and innovative ecosystems.
Learning Takeaways
– Understand how demographic trends reshape workforce and business strategies.
– Learn approaches for integrating technology to build organizational resilience.
– Recognize risks of misalignment between demographic and technological shifts.
– Gain actionable strategies for future-proofing organizations.
– Identify methods to turn demographic and tech shifts into sources of competitive advantage.

 TBA
10:35 1:00 Tea Break, Networking Delegates network &  compare notes and collaboration opportunities
11:35 0:40 Actionable Insight 2
12:15 0:30 Main Screen Sponsor Showcases Screening of advertiser, exhibitor and sponsor marketing videos and brands
Alotted talk time by sponsors on main stage
12:45 0:50 Reflections And Actionable Insights. A case study that is practical and blends storytelling with takeaways
13:35 1:00 Lunch, Network & Exhibition Visit Delegates network &  compare notes and collaboration opportunities
14:35 2:00 Closing Formalities/Communique Appreciation to sponsors, exhibitors, delegates, and organizers, Information on IFTDO 2027 Delegates will obtain a Professional Certificate of HRD Professionals from IFTDO
16:35 0:00 Departure