27 Apr 2026 Africa Food Show 2026 coming to Cape Town again
Africa Food Show 2026: Leading brands bet big on $88B global market & Africa’s $1T food sector.….
With over 350 exhibitors, including more than 25 ingredient companies, the Africa Food Show, which takes place from 10–12 June 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, will again likely draw high-calibre buyers and influencers among the anticipated crowd of over 8,000 food and hospitality professionals.
Organisers, dmg events, report that attendance at last year’s event was evenly split, with 50% international participation, drawing delegations from Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana, all seeking South African partnerships and innovative ingredients to bolster their supply chains.
“Top suppliers view it as a strategic hub, not mere visibility, for building partnerships, expanding networks, and locking in long-term routes-to-market amid Africa’s growing $1-trillion food sector,” notes dmg events PR.
“Their increased 2026 commitments reflect 2025’s tangible ROI, spotlighting the show as prime for decision-maker access, product development, and pan-African market entry.”
Local ingredient players like Synercore and Cape Food Ingredients have upped their stakes in Africa Food Show 2026 for its proven commercial edge.
“In 2025, the Africa Food Show wasn’t just an exhibit for us; it created the space for real commercial momentum, from new product development to distribution partnerships,” says Alex Zabbia, Executive: Dairy at Synercore.
“We’re elevating to Platinum and Registration Sponsor for 2026 because we’ve found this event drives connections with serious African buyers — turning them into lasting contracts as we scale across East and Southern Africa,” states Zabbia.
“At Synercore, we don’t just develop products, we develop possibilities. With Africa’s population set to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the food industry has never been more critical to our continent’s future,” explains Dr Tertius Cilliers, CEO at Synercore.
“The Africa Food Show is the ideal stage where innovation thrives through collaboration, integrity, and excellence, especially meaningful as we celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2026,” he says.
Cape Food Ingredients Regional Director, Brian Lanton, echoes this focus on practical partnerships. “The Africa Food Show provides an invaluable platform for fostering meaningful partnerships and showcasing innovation tailored to African markets.
“As a Silver Sponsor for 2026, we’re looking forward to engaging with manufacturers to present our expertise in sugar reduction, flavour systems and functional ingredient solutions. Come taste samples with us!
“Our focus is on supporting customer new product development and delivering cost-effective innovations that meet the evolving needs of the African food industry.”
Cape Food Ingredients offers innovation expertise across beverages, dairy, bakery, sauces and confectionery, offering advanced sugar‑reduction technologies, flavour systems, stabiliser solutions and cost‑saving product development designed for African markets.
Background to the expo
“Africa’s F&B sector is brimming with opportunity amid rapid urbanisation, retail transformation and growing consumer demand,” says Margaret Peters, Event Director at dmg events.
“But sustained growth depends on stronger connections across the value chain. Africa Food Show 2026 is where suppliers, buyers and industry leaders come together to unlock new partnerships, strengthen route-to-market strategies and drive measurable business growth.”
Following a 21-year legacy as Africa’s Big 7, the event was rebranded in 2025 as Africa Food Show, marking a strategic evolution aligned with the changing needs of the market.
The inaugural edition under its new identity welcomed nearly 350 global exhibitors and more than 9,000 industry professionals from over 60 countries.
The 2026 edition will once again be co-located with Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa, reflecting the structural link between hospitality growth and food procurement.
For more information about the Africa Food Show, visit: www.theafricafoodshow.com.