Africa Food Summit

Registration and refreshments

Welcome address by Chairperson

Miles KubhekaWakanda Food Accelerator

Opening Keynote Address

Ivan MeyerMinistry of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism

Navigating the tariff tantrum...

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Arabile Gumede, a leading international financial journalist, as he reveals how investor sentiments are shifting amid tariff uncertainties, looking through the lens of food basket pricing, supply chains, trade, and what you need to know to prepare your business.

Arabile GumedeArabileG Productions

Transforming Africa's food systems - Designing nutritious foods without a premium

Africa is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing populations, projected to reach 2.5 billion people by 2050. According to Africa Business, ‘The African food industry is set to reach $1 trillion by 2030’, driving the demand for sustainable innovation and improving an accessible, affordable, sustainable food system without a premium. Join this session and gain insights into how to navigate the future of Africa’s food systems, how innovation is reshaping food categories, transforming investment opportunities, and what technologies are working to solve supply chain challenges while balancing the food basket to monitor food affordability.

 Key takeaways:

• In what ways can innovation be harnessed to improve nutritional density and health impacts, while ensuring production is sustainable and cost-effective?
• Whether improving nutrition and health or creating new taste experiences, what are the latest advancements that will continue to shape and transform the food system?
• What role does the government play in building the necessary guidelines and industry standards around food and ingredients to deliver nutritional profiles and sustainability goals
• The right to food and nutrition in Africa – How are governments and food processors addressing these challenges? How do we develop rural economies of scale into the formalised supply chain in times of instability?
• While taste reigns king, nutrition is crucial for businesses and consumers alike, so what technologies will enhance product development to create nutritious products that improve health?
• With collaboration as important as ever, how can the sector encourage meaningful partnerships to ensure innovations reach price parity and the consumer shelves?

Miles KubhekaWakanda Food Accelerator

Melvi ToddMelvi Todd Consulting

Anne-Marie de BeerNestle South Africa

Tertius CilliersSynercore Food Holdings

Gloria KiondoUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Climate-centric innovations - Accelerating the shift to net zero

As sustainability progresses, consumers demand more traceability around the products they buy and the brands they support. This has led to more informative labelling, detailed information about food origins, curbing food waste, and circular packaging, leading to the rising demand for environmental transparency. Join this session and gain insights into what this means for your bottom line and how to prioritise climate solutions to accelerate your journey to net zero.

Key takeaways:

•  As Net Zero targets and sustainability goals get closer, how are companies across the value chain prioritising the reduction of food loss as one way to lessen climate impacts?
• From cold chain technologies to bio-preservatives, waste valorisation to upcycling, what innovations can reduce food waste, improve sustainability and make food fresher, safer and healthier?
• Where are the gaps needing greater attention to tackle the food waste burden, and what are the key challenges in doing so?
• What is needed in terms of policy and investment to ensure food loss is a high priority for companies

Jayne MammattDeloitte

Steffen BurrowsStillGood

Ozzy NelSA Harvest

Ridhwana ShaikFood Lover's Market

Eric Leong SonHeineken Beverages

Morning refreshments and networking

Unlocking opportunity through food safety

The food safety landscape is undergoing a radical shift, from a compliance obligation to a strategic growth lever. Recent outbreaks have exposed critical gaps in skills and systems, but they’ve also revealed untapped opportunities for SMMEs and innovators. In this session, FoodBev SETA CEO Nokuthula Selamolela explores how workforce development, technology adoption, and collaborative action can turn food safety into a market differentiator. Learn how businesses can leverage targeted training programs and innovation partnerships to build resilient operations, protect consumers, and unlock new markets.

Key takeaways:

• Linking policy, training, and enterprise - Breaking down silos by building stronger connections between government, industry, and training institutions to create a more resilient and responsive food safety ecosystem
• Bridging the skills gap - Exploring the critical food safety skills missing in today’s workforce and how SETAs, especially FoodBev, are enabling small businesses to access affordable, hands-on, and future-ready training
• Keeping pace with product trends and technology - How food businesses can embrace innovation responsibly, leveraging digital tools that fast-track learning and compliance
• Food Safety as a gateway to growth and export readiness - How food-safe practices are not just about avoiding risks, but about building brand trust, unlocking access to new markets, and scaling SMMEs sustainably

Nokuthula SelamolelaFoodBev SETA

What new ingredients and flavour trends are driving innovation

Manufacturers, retailers or brand owners are increasingly focused on ingredient provenance to highlight product differentiation through taste, quality, and sustainability of products to increase value. With the spotlight on shoppers' changing tastes, brands can anticipate shifts aligning with changing consumer desires, prioritising freshness, ingredient sourcing, wellness, nutrition-influencing functional ingredients, new flavour developments, and more sustainable assortment options. But what does this mean for your R&D business to stay competitive? Join this session and gain insights into shifting trends impacting what ingredients and flavours drive new creations.

Key takeaways:

• To what extent are brands and retailers rethinking their strategies to include new flavours and functional attributes such as gut, mental and immune health?
•  How are changing mindsets driving innovation to be more efficient and cost-effective?
• How is AI being used to map the sensory perceptions of new flavours and ingredients?
• Where is the gap in biotechnology in meeting agricultural challenges and consumer needs?
• If flavour had a seat at the table, what new ingredients would you see?

Brian LantonCape Food Ingredients

Nicki RussellThink Flavour

Alex ZabbiaSynercore Food Holdings

Grant MomplePlant Inc.

Justin GhersieBragan Ingredients

Heinrich VenterFlava Dot Global

Miles KubhekaWakanda Food Accelerator

How food accelerators are transforming the culinary landscape

The food system encompasses far more than the journey from farm to table—it includes the complex infrastructure, processes, and networks that sustain entire populations. In this session, we explore how innovative food accelerators are reshaping this landscape by introducing dynamic incubation models that drive sustainability, inclusivity, and economic growth.

Key takeaways:

• Gain insights into how diverse accelerator models are catalysing change across the food value chain
• Explore a new typology of business models that holistically considers the entire food ecosystem—from production and processing to distribution
• Understand the strategic role of food incubators in fostering resilient, future-ready food systems

Miles KubhekaWakanda Food Accelerator

Allister EsauV&A Waterfront

Luncheon and exhibition viewing

Value chain 360 - Visibility, AI and the bottom line

As businesses navigate increasing supply chain complexities, real-time visibility, accurate demand forecasting, and operational agility are critical to maintaining profitability and growth. While AI, predictive analytics, and digital solutions offer unprecedented capabilities, the challenge remains – How do we move from fragmented data to integrated, actionable insights that drive measurable results? This panel brings together AI, R&D, supply chain, and logistics industry leaders to discuss practical strategies for optimising the value chain from forecasting and SKU rationalisation to managing disruptions and unlocking new growth opportunities.

Key takeaways:

• Transforming supply chains from cost centres to growth enablers – Why leveraging data and automation creates value and competitive advantage
• Driving bottom-line growth through visibility – How end-to-end insights help control costs, improve margins, and boost efficiency across procurement, production, and distribution
• Smarter demand forecasting and inventory management – Using AI and predictive analytics to reduce waste, optimise stock levels, and prevent lost sales
•   Actionable: Innovation and iterative journey – Moving from ideas to implementing the technology, AI, and optimisation in your business

Michael DayValue Chain Solutions

Pierre le RouxSpatialedge

Jonas StrayStray Analytics

Mood management

In this digital age of constant online connection, multitudes of social media apps, Al assistants, influencers, and all the electronic buzz, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd (at least for more than one, quick, viral moment). In this Fireside Chat, Adele and Eric will explore some of the ways in which IFF creates real-world connections through food and beverage consumption. This chat will focus on how we can design products that impact our emotions, giving us meaningful moments in the modern hustle-and-bustle. Join us for some quick insights into the psychology of flavor, and inspiration for designing new and exciting consumer-centric products.

Key takeaways:

• Do we choose specific food or drink because of how we feel? Or do we feel a certain way because of what we eat and drink?
• Does the flavor of a food or beverage product specifically impact our moods and emotions?
• Why would we want to influence consumers' moods?

Adele AnkiewiczIFF

Eric van NiekerkIFF

Healthy snacking - Do you know what your customers crave?

According to NIQ’s ‘State of Snacking – What the Data Shows’ report, The $135 billion snacking industry market growth is driven by changing consumer lifestyles and preferences. The demand for healthy snacking options has skyrocketed, reflecting a shift in wellness-orientated lifestyles with an emphasis on plant-based snacks, protein-packed options, and products with clean labels free from artificial additives becoming one of the fastest growing categories for a nation of ‘on-the-go’ consumers. Join us and hear leading experts share their views on the latest trends, changing consumer appetites, and how millennial lifestyles influence new eating habits.

Key takeaways

• How are ‘on-the-go’ consumers' eating habits changing and developing, driving growth?
• Are there any significant nutritional trends we are seeing from Gen Z?
•  As consumers become more mindful about their food choices, where does healthier snacking fit into the ‘healthy for you’ space?
• What new products and functional ingredients are delivering on taste profiles and price?
•  Where does superfoods fit into snacking?
• How is the sector responding to trends including mental and gut health?

Arthur RamorokaTiger Brands

Johannes SchuelerLBB Foods

Masoud ParkerMaspark Sales & Marketing

Ntiti Happy HlabjagoKellanova

Noluthando NgcakaniMedia 24

Unlocking the nutritional power of Saudi dates - Innovation, sustainability and global impact

Join us for an insightful session exploring the remarkable journey of Saudi dates – from ancient tradition to modern innovation. This session will highlight the Kingdom’s integrated approach to building approach to building a sustainable and forward-thinking date industry.

Key takeaways:

• The nutritional and health benefits of Saudi dates
• Innovations in date-based products, from health foods to clean energy
• The role of quality certification and international marketing
• Empowering farmers through education and support
•  Cross-industry collaborations and investment opportunities

Mazzen J AlquaraishNational Palm and Dates Authority

Halaal Certification - The key to your share of the $3 trillion global Halaal market

Tap into one of the fastest-growing consumer segments worldwide. Join us for an insightful session on Halaal Certification and discover how your business can access and thrive in the booming $3 trillion global Halaal market. Whether you're in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or logistics, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to meet Halaal standards and expand your market reach.

Key takeaways:

• Learn what Halaal certification entails, who needs it, and how it can enhance your brand credibility and consumer trust.
• Discover practical steps to enter and scale in the global Halaal market, including compliance, partnerships, and distribution channels.
• Gain insights into emerging trends, consumer behavior, and high-growth regions within the Halaal economy.

Mufti Mohammed Yusuf SeedatSouth Africa National Halaal Association

Closing remarks by Chairperson