By gathering policymakers, private
sector leaders, financial institutions,
development partners, and researchers, the
summit creates a dynamic environment
for knowledge exchange and forging
partnerships.
TIME
SESSION
Grain Spark business breakfast: Igniting scalable grain venturers’ capital- Where grain ideas meet growth
This exclusive, by-invitation-only breakfast session brings together start-up agribusinesses, investors, and ecosystem enablers for a focused dialogue on unlocking capital for scalable grain ventures. It provides a platform where innovative grain sector ideas meet growth-minded investors, creating space for partnership-building, visibility, and deal exploration.
Designed to spotlight investment-ready businesses and emerging financing models, the session aims to ignite conversations that translate into real capital flow across the grain value chain, right from production and processing to logistics and digital platforms. Participants can expect high-impact networking in a setting that blends business intelligence with investment opportunities.
Financing African Grain Markets: Driving Access to Affordable Capital and Enabling Local Currency Trade
Focus: Finance access, forex challenges, trade in local currencies, de-risking grain value chain investments
This session will address limited access to affordable and appropriate financing as one of the most critical barriers to grain sector growth. It will examine factors that restrict investment and operational efficiency across the grain value chain, such as the persistent challenges of high lending costs, foreign exchange volatility, and the limited use of local currencies in cross-border trade.
The session brings together banks, development finance institutions, fintech innovators, and policy actors to explore solutions to de-risk grain market investments, expand access to working capital, and promote financial instruments tailored to the unique needs of value chain actors. Participants will gain insight into emerging financing models and collaborative approaches that can unlock inclusive and sustainable capital for the sector.
Tea break & exhibitions
Smart & Seamless Logistics: Optimizing Grain Supply Chains from Farm to Regional and Global Markets
Focus: Efficient transport routes, storage infrastructure, ICT-driven logistics, real-time market data
This session will explore how smart and efficient logistics are central to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s grain trade, from farm-level aggregation to cross-border and global markets. It will highlight the role of infrastructure, technology, and coordination in reducing transaction costs, minimizing delays, and improving supply chain reliability.
Panelists will delve into innovative logistics models, ICT-driven tracking systems, optimized transport corridors, and the integration of real-time market data. The session aims to showcase actionable solutions that enhance the movement, storage, and traceability of grain, ultimately strengthening competitiveness and food system resilience across the continent.
Networking Lunch; exhibitions
From Research to Market: Aligning Academia, Policy, and Industry to Drive Innovation and Market Growth
This session will examine how stronger linkages between research institutions, academia, policymakers, and industry players can drive innovation, commercialization, and growth within Africa’s grain sector. It will explore how academic research can better inform policy and product development, and how education systems can align with market needs to build a skilled and responsive workforce.
Key themes will include curriculum reform, research and development uptake, public–private collaboration, and demand-driven initiatives such as school feeding programs. Participants will gain insight into how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate the transition from research outputs to real-world impact across the grain value chain.
Unlocking Trade Corridors – Removing Cross-Border Bottlenecks to Strengthen Intra-African Grain Trade
This closing session will bring together high-level voices from regional economic communities, trade institutions, and the private sector to address persistent bottlenecks hindering intra-African grain trade. The focus will be on removing non-tariff barriers, streamlining border procedures, and enhancing policy coordination across trade corridors.
By highlighting practical solutions and successful reforms, the session aims to generate strong political and private sector commitments toward freer movement of grain across borders. It will serve as a call to action to unlock the full potential of AfCFTA and other regional frameworks in driving structured and efficient grain trade across the continent.
