Kigali is preparing to host one of Africa’s most significant coffee and tea industry events as the Africa Coffee and Tea Expo (ACT Expo) 2026 takes place from July 8 to 10 at the Kigali Convention Centre.
The event is expected to bring together more than 150 exhibitors, over 1,000 delegates, 100 international buyers and representatives from at least 25 countries, further cementing Rwanda’s growing role as a gateway for trade, innovation and investment in the continent’s coffee and tea sectors.
Positioned as more than a traditional exhibition, ACT Expo has evolved into a strategic business platform aimed at accelerating trade partnerships, promoting investment opportunities and advancing value addition across Africa’s coffee and tea industries.
The event will gather stakeholders from the entire value chain, including farmers, processors, exporters, policymakers, financial institutions, technology providers, researchers, hospitality professionals and international buyers.
The expo comes at a time when African coffee and tea producers are increasingly seeking stronger regional integration, greater value addition and direct access to global markets.
Organisers believe the event will help unlock new commercial opportunities while strengthening Africa’s position within the international specialty beverage industry.
One of the event’s key attractions will be a hosted buyers programme that will bring carefully selected buyers from Africa, Europe and Asia to Kigali.
Many are expected to arrive with clear procurement plans and approved contracts, creating immediate business opportunities for exhibitors and producers.
Participants will also benefit from a dedicated business matchmaking platform that enables buyers and exhibitors to schedule meetings before the event officially begins.
The system is designed to facilitate targeted engagements and maximise commercial outcomes, allowing negotiations and partnerships to start weeks ahead of the expo.
Speaking during an Industry Soirée held at Pedro’s Coffee in Kigali on June 17, ACT Expo Project Lead Rachel Mwaniki said the event seeks to demonstrate that the coffee and tea industries extend far beyond cultivation and exports.
She explained that the expo is also intended to showcase innovation, creativity and the diverse possibilities surrounding coffee and tea products.
“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,” Mwaniki said.
She noted that preparations for the July event are already at an advanced stage, with exhibitors, participating countries, buyers and products all confirmed.
“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.
Organisers say Rwanda was chosen to host the event because of its international reputation for producing high-quality coffee and tea, as well as its growing status as a leading destination for business tourism.
Rwanda’s modern infrastructure, strategic location and proven ability to host international conferences continue to attract major continental events.
For Rwanda, the expo presents an opportunity to showcase locally produced brands to international audiences while strengthening its position within the global coffee and tea industry.
The event is jointly organised by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) and Rwanda Events Group.
The discussions during the expo will cover the entire coffee and tea value chain, including soil health, production practices, processing, packaging, sustainability, value addition and market access, with a particular focus on expanding intra-African trade.
The event has experienced remarkable growth over the past year. The previous edition attracted around 500 delegates, 50 exhibitors and buyers from 11 countries.
This year, organisers are targeting significantly higher participation, reflecting growing international interest in African coffee and tea products.
Among the returning exhibitors is Bloomin Investment Company, a Rwandan coffee enterprise whose Managing Director, Emmanuel Cyuzuzo, said last year’s event generated valuable international exposure and business connections.
“I met buyers from different countries. I got buyers from there and my company became known worldwide,” he said.
This year, the company plans to showcase specialty coffee products alongside a “farm-to-cup” experience that allows visitors to understand coffee’s journey from cultivation and harvesting to roasting and consumption.
Cyuzuzo believes the expo will not only benefit individual businesses but also elevate Rwanda’s coffee identity globally.
“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, including producers, exporters, traders, technology providers, financiers and hospitality businesses, to register and participate.
As Africa’s coffee and tea industries continue to evolve, ACT Expo 2026 is expected to become a catalyst for stronger partnerships, increased investment and expanded market opportunities for African products worldwide.
By Andrew Shyaka
