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
Early morning refreshments
Welcome address by Chairperson
Miles KubhekaWakanda Food Accelerator
Private brands - Why do these brands continue to transform innovation during disruption?
As consumers continue to feel the economic pinch, retailers are scrambling to innovate with new products and value for money. According to NIQ’s ‘Consumer Intelligence’, ‘retailers' Private Label sales are on track to exceed R100bn in the next six to twelve months as shoppers increasingly opt for value. As Private Labels continue to gain market share and outpace national brand performance, what does this mean for your business and how do you gain a piece of the pie? Join this discussion and hear key insights on why brands are transforming innovation in times of disruption.
Key takeaways:
- Latest global market shifts and trends, opportunities, and benefits to customers
- What is shaping private brands and how do you win
- Partnerships – Strategic supply linking to value chain collaboration
Mark FieldProf Consulting Group
Eating and drinking pulse
Around the world and across the African continent, consumers have faced a multitude of changes in the last five years, with 2025 shaping up to be a year bursting with even more for consumers, manufacturers, and retailers. Whilst many cash-strapped consumers are still grappling with affordability, other consumers are contemplating complete wellness on a larger, more comprehensive scale than ever before. Coupled with potential tariffs and resulting supply implications, our shopper environments are primed for innovation to help consumers weather their constraints or solve for new emerging needs and rising social consciousness.
Key takeaways:
- Hottest food and beverage trends and innovations
- Consumer sentiment
- Consumption changes
Ailsa WingfieldCircana
Investment reset - What's next
Over the past decade, we’ve seen incredible growth in venture capital for food and beverage, fuelled by innovative solutions and technologies. But recently, the market has been going through a reset, showing cautious optimism, cooling off and dropping deal counts back to 2015 levels. Fast forward to 2024, we are seeing early signs of several investment opportunities identified in precision fermentation, gut health and microbiome, sustainable packaging, better-for-you beverages products, and scalable tech-based models like cloud kitchens and delivery platforms. Join an engaging discussion with leading experts as they share their views on the barriers to growth and scaling solutions, what new consumer trends are disrupting the current market, and how we can ensure innovation continues and doesn’t get left behind.
Key takeaways:
- What areas of the food system is venture capital focused on?
- What predictions are there for food investment for 2025?
- Which innovations and technologies have investors feeling optimistic? What breakthroughs have they got their eye on?
- What does the investment landscape look like for early vs later stages? How should the early-stage innovators ensure they keep attracting investment?
Brendan MullenSecha Capital
Riel MallanEXEO Capital
Peter AllerstorferSilvertree Holdings
Raymond NdlovuNdlovu Ingredients
Morning refreshments and networking
Predicting the future of alternative proteins
It has been reported that the growth of alternative proteins continues to grow with consumers looking for environmental and health-conscious options, restaurants adopting menus, and retailers expanding product offerings to meet demand. Join this session and gain insights into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the alternative protein landscape.
Key takeaways:
- Market expansion and consumer trends – Understand the key drivers of alternative protein growth in Africa and beyond, including shifting consumer preferences, regulatory developments, and investment trends
- Supply chain and production challenges – Explore the biggest obstacles in scaling high-quality alternative protein, from ingredient sourcing to manufacturing in an uncertain economic climate
- AI and technology innovation in alternative proteins – Learn how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are revolutionising product development, efficiency, and market differentiation
- Sustainability and business strategy – Discover how protein diversification aligns with corporate sustainability goals, ESG reports, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Opportunities for partnerships and growth – Identify collaboration opportunities with retailers, foodservice, and investors to accelerate adoption and profitability in the alternative protein space
Donovan WillProVeg South Africa
Charles ReedMycoSure
Clare EwingLIVEKINDLY Collective Africa, RCL Foods
Leah BessaDe Novo Foodlabs
Gut brain axis - Innovation and insights to unlock cognitive health
According to Retail Africa’s ‘Consumers expect food and drink to promote wellness, prevent illness and taste delicious’, Euromonitor’s, revealed that social media is one of the fastest-growing factors behind the purchase of healthy food and drink, driving the growth of gut health. Biotics magnify digestive gut health as the top driver of functional food and beverage product purchases with consumers' interest in fiber, and prebiotics. On the ingredient side, manufacturers fine-tune product ingredients to support and optimise the gut microbiome. The food trend around gut support is spreading into more categories like snacks.
The explosion of interest in gut health reflects a growing consumer awareness around gut health from microbiome balance to gut-friendly ingredients as consumers adopt a more holistic view of wellness. Join this session and gain insights into the latest challenges and opportunities driving growth in cognitive health
Sian HemmingsUniversity of Stellenbosch
Exporting complexities of jumping geographies - What you need to know
Join this lively discussion and gain first-hand insights into the latest market trends, tips on how to navigate challenges, and how to operate in new markets.
Key takeaways:
- Export market landscape - Understanding challenges when selecting new export markets
- Categories growing
- Navigating the risk of supply chain challenges
- Packaging – Balancing innovation and threats in food exports
- Economic trends and their impact on trade
- Opportunities
Grant McGregorTaste Africa
Golden MahoveNdarama Works
Bernard ImmelmanResearch Potential
Yolande SchultzMcCormick Flavour Solutions
Samantha SkyringOryx Desert Salt
Luncheon and exhibition viewing
Drive into the future of AI-driven innovation
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Charl Immelman, Co-Founder of Research Potential. Dive into the future of food innovation and learn how leveraging AI-driven insights can streamline your innovation process, reduce costs, and increase the success rate of new product development. This session will explore how AI can transform data into actionable insights, providing a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.
Key takeaways:
- Demystifying AI - Understand what AI is (and isn’t) in the context of food innovation
- Discover how AI drives innovation and what consumers want before your competitors
Charl ImmelmanReseach Potential
Kasi economy - Tapping into the growing hidden retail economy and what you need to know
retail market is valued at R197 billion and growing faster than its formal counterpart. It continues to demonstrate resilience, achieving a 6.9% growth rate, and attracting the attention of some of the biggest retailers despite high pressure from high food inflation, continues to offer opportunities and plays a role in alleviating food insecurity from spaza and street vendors to QS restaurants and taverns playing a role in alleviating food insecurity. The township retail trade discussion will shine the spotlight on today’s retail trade sector, how you can tap into the thriving township economy value chain, and what this means for food security and accessibility, price, and the value of e-commerce.
Key takeaways:
- The power collaboration in the Kasi market
- The rise of township brands and what’s important for big brands
- Connectivity and its impact on customer experience
- Seamless digital customer experience
- Why effective targeting matters
Miles KubhekaWakanda Food Accelerator
Future Menu Report
Gain exclusive insights from Unilever Food Solutions' latest ‘Future Menus' report, highlighting culinary mega trends from concept to creation set to take over palettes and pantry shelves. This session will explore the findings from attracting Gen Z, driving personalisation, cultural storytelling, and the latest global flavours, turning insight into action
Yonela MotloungUnilever Food Solutions
Closing remarks by Chairperson
Miles KubhekaWakanda Food Accelerator
dmg & KAOUN, a joint venture company between KAOUN International, the international event organizing company of the Dubai World Trade Centre and dmg events to create a global portfolio of food, hotel and hospitality events.