Frank Ntarindwa
More than 150 exhibitors, over 1,000 delegates, 100 international buyers and representatives from at least 25 countries are expected in Kigali next month for the Africa Coffee and Tea Expo (ACT Expo) 2026, a gathering set to unlock new trade deals and advance the value chains.
This is a growing continental platform that organisers say is helping position Rwanda as a gateway for coffee and tea trade, innovation and investment.
The three-day expo, scheduled for July 8–10, at Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), is expected to bring together players from across the coffee and tea value chain, from farmers and processors to exporters, financiers, policymakers, technology providers and international buyers.
Organisers describe the event as more than just an exhibition because it is designed as a strategic business hub where industry stakeholders can establish trade partnerships, access financing opportunities, exchange knowledge and unlock new export markets both within Africa and globally.
The expo comes at a time when African coffee and tea producers are increasingly seeking greater value addition, stronger regional trade links and direct access to international markets.
Global buyers, trade opportunities in focus
According to the organisers, one of the event’s major attractions will be a hosted buyers’ programme featuring carefully selected buyers from around the world who have demonstrated interest in sourcing African coffee and tea products.
The buyers are expected to arrive with concrete procurement interests and endorsed contracts, creating immediate opportunities for exhibitors.
Participants will also benefit from a dedicated business matchmaking system that allows exhibitors and buyers to schedule meetings before the event begins, ensuring targeted engagements and maximising commercial outcomes.
Speaking during an Industry Soirée held at Pedro’s Coffee in Kigali’s Kiyovu suburb on June 17, Rachel Mwaniki, Project Lead for ACT Expo, said the gathering served as a pre-launch event aimed at showcasing the creativity and innovation within the tea and coffee sector.
Pedro’s Coffee is expected to be among exhibitors at the event.
Mwaniki noted that the organisers intentionally designed experiences around coffee and tea products to demonstrate that the industry extends far beyond production and export markets.
“What we are trying to promote in ACT is not just about the markets, but also some of the things that we can do with tea and coffee,” she said.
Mwaniki stated that preparations for the July event are well advanced, with exhibitors, buyers and participating countries already confirming attendance.
“We have the floor space ready. We have the booths ready. We have the countries ready. We have the products ready. We have the buyers ready,” she said.
She added that registered exhibitors have already begun pre-booking meetings with buyers from Africa, Europe and Asia through the event’s matchmaking platform, allowing commercial discussions to start weeks before the expo officially opens.
Showcasing Rwanda’s coffee, tea and business tourism strengths
Beyond networking and trade deals, organisers view the expo as an opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s strengths as both a premium producer of coffee and tea and a leading destination for business tourism.
“The reason we are hosting it in Rwanda is because Rwanda is known for its best quality tea and coffee, and beyond that it is also known for its business tourism,” Mwaniki explained.
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Mwaniki noted that Rwanda’s modern infrastructure, reputation for hosting international conferences and strategic location continue to attract major continental events.
For Rwanda, the expo presents a valuable opportunity to market locally produced coffee and tea brands to international audiences while strengthening the country’s position within the global specialty beverage industry.
The event is co-organised by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) and Rwanda Events Group.
NAEB plays a central role in promoting Rwanda’s agricultural exports, particularly coffee and tea, which remain among the country’s most important foreign exchange earners.
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Meanwhile, RCB continues to support Rwanda’s ambitions of becoming a leading Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in Africa.
Organisers expect participation from government officials, export promotion agencies, producer cooperatives, coffee estates, tea processors, international importers, wholesalers, specialty retailers, researchers, certification bodies, equipment manufacturers, development finance institutions and hospitality industry representatives.
The discussions will cover the entire tea and coffee value chain, from soil health and production practices to processing, packaging, sustainability, value addition and market access including intra-African trade.
Exhibitors eye visibility and new markets
The growing scale of the expo reflects increasing momentum within the industry. Last year’s edition attracted about 500 delegates, 50 exhibitors and buyers from 11 countries. This year, organisers are targeting double the attendance and significantly broader international participation.
For exhibitors, the expo offers direct access to buyers and opportunities to increase brand visibility for sector growth.
Emmanuel Cyuzuzo, Managing Director of Bloomin Investment Company, a Rwandan coffee enterprise, said participation in the previous edition – his first time attending the expo – generated valuable business connections and international exposure.
“I met buyers from different countries. I got buyers from there and my company became known worldwide.”
This year, he expects even greater opportunities as the event expands.
“I am expecting more visibility, more buyers and more connections,” he said.
His company plans to showcase specialty coffee products and a “farm-to-cup” experience that allows visitors to understand the journey of coffee from cultivation and harvesting to roasting and consumption.
Cyuzuzo believes the expo will help promote not only individual businesses but also Rwanda’s coffee identity on the global stage.
“Come and taste Rwanda in every cup,” he said. “We are excited to sell the country and also sell the beans.”
Organisers are encouraging stakeholders across the industry to register as exhibitors, delegates or buyers through the official expo website https://africacoffeeteaexpo.com. They say the event is open to everyone involved in coffee and tea production, processing, trade, technology, finance and hospitality.
newtimes.co.rw
