Forget your sleepy Sunday mornings; Abidjan, the vibrant heart of Côte d’Ivoire, is gearing up for a feast of epic proportions. The prestigious Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire will once again play host to the Africa Food Show (AFS) Côte d’Ivoire, returning for its third mouth-watering edition from August 13th to 15th, 2025. This isn’t just another trade show; it’s a pivotal gathering that positions the Ivory Coast as a continental powerhouse in the ever-evolving world of food and agriculture.
Organised by MIE Events, AFS Côte d’Ivoire is a crucial cog in a pan-African network that also includes successful events in Kenya and Morocco. Each show acts as a vital regional hub, stirring the pot of collaboration and innovation across Africa’s diverse food and agriculture sectors.
This Abidjan edition promises to be a melting pot, drawing together the who’s who of the agrifood value chain. Expect government heavyweights rubbing shoulders with passionate producers, cutting-edge processors, visionary innovators, savvy investors, and influential distributors. With a bustling exhibition hall set to welcome over 150 exhibitors and thousands of eager attendees, the event offers a fertile ground for striking deals, attracting investment, sharing invaluable knowledge, and carving out new trade routes across West Africa and beyond.
Côte d’Ivoire isn’t just a pretty face on the African map; it’s a genuine leader in the continent’s agrifood revolution. Fuelled by astute government policies, strategic regional trade alliances, and a firm commitment to modernisation, the nation has blossomed into a key player. As the undisputed global champion in cocoa exports and a significant supplier of cashew nuts and luscious tropical fruits, the Ivory Coast underpins regional food security and drives significant economic growth. Recent strategic investments in state-of-the-art agro-industrial zones and the embrace of smart farming technologies are further boosting productivity and championing sustainability across the entire food chain.
But why Côte d’Ivoire, you might ask? The numbers speak for themselves. This West African titan boasts an agrifood sector that contributes a staggering 24% to its total agricultural GDP. It’s a major employer, providing livelihoods for over 250,000 people, and generates a colossal 12,000 billion FCFA in revenue, a testament to its thriving domestic processing capabilities and robust export activity.
Looking beyond its borders, Côte d’Ivoire’s export prowess is equally impressive, raking in 7,500 billion FCFA in 2023. While cocoa, cashew nuts, palm oil, and tropical fruits lead the charge, the country is also making significant strides in exporting high-value goods such as sought-after organic produce, sustainably sourced cocoa, and an ever-expanding range of processed foods to Europe, Asia, North America, and its ECOWAS neighbours.
The opportunities for investment and development are ripe for the picking. Strategic agro-industrial development zones, equipped with modern processing facilities, are cultivating a fiercely competitive agribusiness ecosystem. The enthusiastic adoption of agricultural technology, including the integration of AI, the Internet of Things, and automation, is injecting unprecedented levels of efficiency and innovation into farming practices. Furthermore, the burgeoning global appetite for export-ready processed goods and value-added products presents a tantalising prospect for investors.
So, what can attendees expect at this year’s AFS Côte d’Ivoire? Prepare to be immersed in a vibrant showcase of innovation. The Exhibition Hall will be a hive of activity, with over 150 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge solutions in everything from food manufacturing and smart farming to the latest in sustainable packaging and efficient logistics. The Knowledge Hub will host a series of insightful panels and workshops led by industry gurus and thought leaders, tackling critical issues such as food security, navigating complex export regulations, the transformative power of agritech, and the importance of regional integration.
Networking will be high on the agenda, with dedicated Networking Lounges & B2B Matchmaking services designed to forge meaningful connections between local producers and international buyers, eager investors, and influential policymakers. For a more sensory experience, the Live Demonstrations & Culinary Showcases will offer interactive pavilions featuring captivating chef-led presentations, showcasing the latest cooking innovations, offering tantalising product sampling, and demonstrating the practical applications of agritech in action.
AFS Ivory Coast 2025 will provide a comprehensive overview of the entire agrifood value chain, with a particular focus on innovation across a diverse range of sectors, including:
- Food Ingredients & Specialty Products: Discovering the building blocks of tomorrow’s culinary delights.
- Food Processing & Manufacturing: Exploring the latest technologies transforming raw ingredients into consumer-ready goods.
- Sustainable Food Packaging & Labeling: Addressing the critical need for environmentally conscious and informative packaging solutions.
- Food Safety & Quality Assurance: Ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of the food supply.
- Plant-Based & Alternative Proteins: Tapping into the growing demand for sustainable and ethical protein sources.
- Beverages & Functional Drinks: Quenching the thirst for innovative and health-conscious beverages.
- Hotels, Restaurants, and Catering (HoReCa): Connecting producers and suppliers with the hospitality industry.
- Smart Agriculture & Farming: Witnessing the future of farming through technological advancements.
- Food Supply Chain & Logistics: Optimising the food journey from farm to fork.
Mark your calendars. August 13th to 15th, 2025, in Abidjan, is where the future of African food will be tasted, discussed, and ultimately, shaped. This is more than just a food show; it’s a crucial ingredient in the continent’s recipe for sustainable growth and prosperity.
