ACT 2026 – Africa Coffee Tea Expo

Agenda

Day 1

Badge collection and Expo Floor activation

Wednesday, 8 July 2026

Objective: Networking, matchmaking, technical engagement, and exhibition activation ahead of the high-level opening ceremony.

1:00 PM– 5:00 PM

Badge Pick-Up

Registration

KCC — near MH1

Who

All delegates
1:00 PM– 5:00 PM

Expo Floor Activation

Placement

Who

Exhibitors

Day 2

Official Opening, Trade, Policy & Economic Impact Day

Thursday, 9 July 2026

Objective: High-level government engagement, official opening, media visibility, trade dialogue, and strategic partnerships. Panels in the morning; afternoon dedicated to B2B engagement.

8:00 AM– 9:00 AM

VIP Arrival, Registration & Media Reception

Protocol & Media

Who

MinistersVIPsMediaSponsors
9:00 AM– 11:00 AM

Opening Ceremony

Official Opening Ceremony & Opening Plenary — Unlocking Trade, Logistics & Market Access

Ceremony & Plenary

Opening Ceremony Speeches

  • Opening Remark — ACT Rep
  • Roger Nkubito — Cluster MD, AGL Rwanda & Burundi (Platinum Sponsor)
  • H.E. Belen Calvo Uyarra — EU Ambassador
  • RDB / RCB CEO
  • Hon. Telesphore Ndabamenye — Minister of Agriculture

Opening Plenary

  • George Omuga — EATTA MD (regional tea trade trends)
  • Nomalanga Gule — AfCFTA (regional trade outlook)
  • Rita Wahiti — Rwanda Country Representative, KPA
  • Martin Mwangi — MD, AGL Kenya (Platinum Sponsor)
  • JJ Ndayisenga — CEPAR
  • Mr Giovanni — President, EBCR
  • Moderator: Dr. Martin Mawo — RMT
11:00 AM– 11:30 AM

Ministerial & VIP Expo Walkabout

Guided Walkabout + Break

Who

MinistersGovt OfficialsSponsorsHosted Buyers
11:30 AM– 12:00 PM

Media Interviews

Media
12:30 PM– 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch & VIP Engagement

Networking

Who

BuyersSponsorsVIP Delegates
2:00 PM– 4:00 PM

Cupping & Barista Semi-Finals

Live Competition

Who

CompetitorsJudgesBuyers
4:00 PM– 5:00 PM

Exhibition Floor & Reception Set-Up

Open Floor

Who

All delegates
5:00 PM– 9:00 PM

Welcome Reception

Networking

Who

BuyersExhibitorsHigh-level Delegates

Day 3

Market Access, Consumer Activation & Industry Recognition Day

Friday, 10 July 2026

Objective: Drive buyer engagement, showcase excellence, celebrate industry achievements, and close strategic conversations. Panels in the morning; afternoon dedicated to B2B engagement.

9:00 AM– 10:00 AM

High-Level Panel: Sustainability, Climate Resilience & Future-Proofing African Coffee & Tea

Panel Discussion

Panellists

  • Presentation: Yonas Yohannes — Ethiolatin
  • Agapeters Kubasu — Head of Region, East & Central Africa, Fairtrade
  • Samuel Nzieki — CEO, Silverback
  • Jean Appia — Fair Labor Association
10:15 AM– 10:45 AM

Tourism & Consumer Market Growth

Spotlight

Featuring

Meti Ethiopia — Showcase of Ethiopia coffee culture
11:00 AM– 12:00 PM

Youth & Women in Coffee & Tea Value Chains

Panel Discussion

Marking the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026

Panellists

  • FAO Representative — Year of the Woman Farmer 2026
  • Victoria — Uganda Tea Association
  • Dr. Susan Limisi — Gender Coordinator, Fairtrade
  • Madam Sandrine — COO, NAEB
  • Flora Msirikale — Export Client Ops Manager, AGL Tanzania
  • Moderator: Meti
12:00 PM– 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch & VIP Engagement

Networking

Who

BuyersSponsorsVIP Delegates
2:00 PM– 3:00 PM

ACT 2026 Barista & Cupping Competition Finals

Live Showcase

Competition-stage activation, parallel

Who

FinalistsJudgesBuyersMediaSponsors
3:15 PM– 4:00 PM

Closing Ceremony

Official Expo Closing Ceremony & Award of Winning Coffees & Teas

Closing Ceremony

On stage

  • Mr. Claude Bizimana — NAEB CEO
  • ACT Leadership
  • Government Representatives
  • AGL — Platinum Sponsor

Programme is provisional and subject to change. All times shown are local Kigali time (CAT, GMT+2).

Ceremony & Panels Networking Live Competition Logistics
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