Africa’s meals and beverage sector is coming into a defining development part. Valued at roughly $346 billion in 2024, the continent’s F&B market is projected to achieve roughly $567 billion (R9 trillion) by 2032, with longer-term projections putting the broader alternative at practically $1 trillion (R16 trillion) by 2030.[1]
Pushed by speedy urbanization, inhabitants growth, retail modernization and shifting client demand, Africa’s meals financial system is evolving at tempo. Rising incomes, a rising center class and a younger, globally related client base are reshaping buying habits and accelerating demand for premium, health-focused, comfort and value-added merchandise.
On the identical time, structural pressures stay important. Starvation is rising in Africa, the place a couple of in 5 individuals are affected. If present traits proceed, as many as 512 million individuals might face starvation by 2030, practically 60 p.c of them in Africa.[2] These realities spotlight the urgency of innovation in meals processing, pricing, logistics and distribution.
Towards this context of each alternative and structural stress, Africa Meals Present 2026 returns to the Cape City Worldwide Conference Centre (CTICC) from the tenth – 12th of June 2026, strategically positioned as Africa’s main meals and beverage sourcing platform the place development meets options.
The three-day exhibition connects retail-ready meals and beverage suppliers, producers, distributors and know-how suppliers with senior consumers, wholesalers, importers, exporters, hospitality teams and procurement leaders from throughout Africa and past.
By bringing collectively greater than 350 native and worldwide exhibitors and over 8,000 business professionals from 60+ nations, the present offers a structured platform for sourcing, deal-making, partnership growth and growth into African markets.
“Africa’s F&B sector is brimming with alternative amid speedy urbanization, retail transformation and rising client demand,” says Margaret Peters, Occasion Director at dmg occasions. “However sustained development is dependent upon stronger connections throughout the worth chain. Africa Meals Present 2026 is the place suppliers, consumers and business leaders come collectively to unlock new partnerships, strengthen route-to-market methods and drive measurable enterprise development.”
Following a 21-year legacy as Africa’s Huge 7, the occasion was rebranded in 2025 as Africa Meals Present, marking a strategic evolution aligned with the altering wants of the market. The inaugural version beneath its new id welcomed practically 350 international exhibitors and greater than 9,000 business professionals from over 60 nations.
The 2026 version will as soon as once more be co-located with Lodge & Hospitality Expo Africa, reflecting the structural hyperlink between hospitality development and meals procurement. Africa’s resort growth pipeline presently stands at 577 accommodations and resorts totalling greater than 104,000 rooms, up 13.3% year-on-year[3], signalling sustained demand for foodservice, substances, beverage innovation and operational provide options throughout the continent.
The 2026 version is supported by main business companions Synercore, Cape Meals Components and Crown Meals Group.
“As Platinum Sponsors of Africa Meals Present, we see first-hand how crucial this platform is for connecting producers with severe consumers throughout Africa,” says Alex Zabbia, Government-Dairy, Synercore. “The present creates actual business momentum – from new product growth to distribution partnerships – and displays the collaborative development mindset wanted to strengthen Africa’s meals ecosystem.”
Africa Meals Present 2026 combines structured networking with high-impact content material designed to draw certified consumers and elevate business dialogue. Headline options will embrace: Africa Culinary Cup 2026, hosted in partnership with the South African Cooks Affiliation, bringing junior culinary groups from throughout Africa and the Center East to compete on a world stage; Sport of Cooks, a stay culinary innovation competitors; Nationwide Pizza Problem and Nationwide Burger Problem, showcasing craftsmanship and product innovation; and on-floor workshops targeted on innovation, sustainability, meals security and development technique.
As African governments and personal sector leaders deal with strengthening native worth addition, enhancing provide chain resilience, and increasing intra-African commerce, platforms that facilitate credible enterprise connections have gotten more and more essential.
Africa Meals Present 2026 serves as that market – a spot the place producers set up distribution partnerships, manufacturers enter new territories, retailers uncover innovation and suppliers safe long-term consumers.
Registration will open on 18 March 2026 for business professionals trying to supply new merchandise, discover partnerships and acquire perception into Africa’s evolving meals financial system.
For extra data, go to www.theafricafoodshow.com
Sources
[1] World Financial Discussion board. Unlocking Africa’s $1 trillion meals financial system. World Financial Discussion board, 24 April 2024. Obtainable at: https://www.weforum.org/tales/2024/04/unlocking-africas-1-trillion-food-economy/
[2] UNICEF. The State of Meals Safety and Diet within the World (SOFI) 2025. Obtainable at: https://information.unicef.org/assets/sofi-2025/
[3] W Hospitality Group. Lodge Chain Growth Pipelines in Africa 2025. Obtainable at: https://w-hospitalitygroup.com/hotel-chain-development-pipelines-in-africa-2025/
Picture credit score: dmg occasions.
