NAIROBI, Kenya— Nairobi is this week staging the 9th AgroFood PlastPack Exhibition, with regional integration, technological progress, and cross-border collaboration dominating discussions.
The showcase, which is continuing until August 23, is bringing together 200 exhibitors from 20 countries and drawing more than 10,000 industry participants, ranging from farmers and processors to investors, distributors, and policymakers.
The event is emerging as a meeting point for firms and governments looking to strengthen Africa’s role in global agriculture, food processing, and packaging supply chains.
It is being positioned as more than a commercial display, instead serving as a platform where long-term partnerships and knowledge transfer are taking shape.
Raj Kumar, Vice President of Projects at Parason Machinery, underlined the need for stronger collaboration to drive the continent’s industrial growth.
“This event is about more than showcasing products, it is about building connections that will shape industries across Africa for years to come,” he said.
Intra-African trade is also being placed firmly on the agenda.
The Namibia-Kenya Chamber of Commerce announced that upcoming editions will expand to Windhoek, using the Port of Walvis Bay to connect African producers with global markets.
Chamber president Elvis Mboya said the move is meant to solidify integration across the region.
“Our partnerships are not conveniences, they are commitments to a shared future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the presence of a UAE Pavilion, featuring 10 small businesses supported by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, is underscoring the role of South-South cooperation in opening new trade routes.
Christine Mwende, Chief Executive of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nairobi Chapter), urged Kenyan entrepreneurs to pursue value addition in agriculture while embracing competition as a spur for innovation.
Packaging issues are also dominating the debate.
Joseph Nyongesa, head of the Institute of Packaging Professionals Kenya, argued that poor standards are limiting Kenya’s ability to compete globally.
“Packaging today is not just about wrapping a product; it is about value creation, competitiveness, and sustainability,” he said.
The exhibition is continuing through August 23, with delegates exchanging ideas, negotiating partnerships, and shaping strategies aimed at positioning Africa more competitively in global value chains.
