Rwanda is set to host two international trade exhibitions: Rwanda Agrofood, focusing on agriculture and food, and Project Africa–Rwanda, featuring cutting-edge construction materials and equipment.
Both events, comprising an exhibition and a conference, are tailored for Rwanda and its neighbouring countries. They are scheduled to be held at the Kigali Convention Center from August 20 to 22.
Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) in collaboration with International Fairs and Promotions (IFP), a global exhibition and event organiser, and Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), the events will bring together government decision-makers, traders, distributors, industry professionals, and international stakeholders to support Rwanda's vision of becoming a regional trade and logistics hub.
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During a press conference on Wednesday, March 20, Jean Claude Ndorimana, the Director General for Animal Resources Development at MINAGRI, said the collaborative endeavors of Agrofood exhibition are geared towards sparking transformative advancements in Rwanda’s agricultural sector.
He noted that with IFP, the event will bring together over 100 prominent companies to Rwanda to exhibit various equipment and technologies used in promoting agriculture and animal resources.
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"The exhibition presents a chance for local farmers and livestock breeders to connect and establish networks,” he added. "Instead of travelling abroad to import equipment, you’ll have a contact person there who can provide what you need, saving you the hassle of flights and unnecessary expenses.
"Rwandan farmers and agribusiness professionals will also showcase their products, which might attract interest from international markets,” Ndorimana continued. "Our coffee, tea, and other crops could find new avenues across borders."
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Ndorimana further highlighted the potential for international exhibitors to establish local shops to cater to the regional market, thereby minimising the necessity for individuals to seek agricultural equipment overseas – an approach he said aims to enhance local accessibility and stimulate growth within the agriculture sector.
The Rwanda AgroFood 2024 Exhibition and Conference seeks to serve as a platform showcasing innovations and technologies spanning food production, animal farming and health, crop farming, agro-tech, packaging and food processing, landscaping, horticulture, storage and logistics, refrigeration equipment, harvest production, among others.
For a successful exhibition, IFP seeks to leverage its expertise and network to attract major companies to Rwanda.
According to Margrete Jibril, Managing Director of IFP Rwanda, the benefits of meeting exhibitors during the event and the opportunity for mutual learning are invaluable.
She said attendees could gain expertise from exhibitors, which, coupled with the convenience of food availability at the event, enhances the overall experience.
Jibril suggested that instead of companies going abroad for packaging solutions, they could find them locally, adding that there are opportunities for learning from Rwandans in food refrigeration techniques, among other areas.
"At each company, there are strengths and weaknesses,” she said. "For example, packaging is very important for farmers...and we need to tackle it. They [international exhibitors] will come here, and I know there are also different ways they can learn from Rwandans about refrigerating foods."
"Rwanda's strategic location as the agricultural hub of East Africa underscores its importance in the region's agronomic and food sectors. Agriculture is a key focus of Rwanda's Vision 2050 national development strategy, highlighting the sector's significant potential.”
Jibril also expanded on the significance of Project Africa-Rwanda, highlighting that it will feature a wide range of infrastructure-related products and services to support Rwanda's development goals on essential infrastructure projects aimed at improving the country's connectivity, particularly in transportation, energy, and communication networks.
Project Africa–Rwanda showcase is also expected to spotlight an eclectic mix of building materials and equipment, state-of-the-art machinery, cutting-edge construction technologies, innovative lighting solutions, power generation equipment, renewable energy solutions, wastewater management systems, and a myriad of other profiles in the infrastructure domain.
Frank Murangwa, Director of Destination Marketing at RCB, highlighted the significance of the events in promoting tourism focused on Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), which he said plays a role in generating revenue for the country.
He explained that revenue comes from venue fees for conferences and exhibitions, as well as expenditures on hotels and transportation, all of which contribute to the country's economy.
"By hosting an exhibition like this, which draws participants from around the world, there's always an element of innovation that contributes to enhancing the value of our products. Additionally, the knowledge we acquire serves to benefit businesspeople throughout the value chain," he added.