The 5th International Africa Avocado Congress, widely known as Avocado Africa 2025, took place from 27 to 30 May at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Held under the theme “A Convergence of Technology and Business for Increased Competitiveness and Trade,” the congress brought together key players in Africa’s avocado industry. It explored how innovation can drive long-term trade growth and profitability.
Key Takeaways
- Technology and trade go hand-in-hand: Innovation in farming practices, logistics, and marketing is key to remaining competitive globally.
- Africa is a rising avocado powerhouse: The continent is gaining ground in international markets, especially in Europe and Asia.
- Smallholder farmers need better access to finance and training: These are major barriers to scale and quality.
- Cross-border collaboration is essential: Regional partnerships can help harmonise standards and strengthen value chains.
A hub of innovation and partnerships
The event was organised by the Avocado Society of Kenya (ASK) and supported by both regional and international partners. It attracted over 100,000 participants from more than 20 countries. Some of the attendees included avocado farmers, exporters, agri-tech firms, government officials, development agencies, and researchers.
The four-day congress featured a diverse programme, including panel discussions, live demonstrations, exhibitions, and B2B matchmaking sessions. Key topics covered included:
- Genetic resources
- Quality and safety standards
- Culinary applications
- Supply chain management
- Health and nutrition
- Phytosanitary measures
- Production efficiency
Regional and international participation
Kenyan participants included PJ Dave Fruits Ltd, Fresh Products (EPZ) Ltd, Korongo 3 Exporters, Kickstart, and Osho Chemicals. International representation came from organisations including Agripowa Consulting Ltd (UK), TAHA (Tanzania), Fruit Farm Group (South Africa), and companies from Italy, China, Tunisia, and the Netherlands.
During the event, Ernest Muthomi, CEO of the Avocado Society of Kenya, underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation, stating:
Avocado Africa 2025 serves as a pivotal platform for stakeholders across the avocado industry to converge, share knowledge and explore new business opportunities. With its strategic location in Nairobi, the congress underscores Kenya’s central role in the global avocado market and its commitment to advancing the sector through innovation and collaboration.
Addressing key challenges
While the continent’s avocado industry has seen impressive growth, especially in exports to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, challenges persist. These include:
- Inconsistent adherence to export standards
- High post-harvest losses
- Limited access to value addition facilities
- Difficulty accessing finance for smallholders
Avocado Africa 2025 tackled these concerns by promoting digital farming solutions, climate-smart agriculture, and stronger public-private partnerships.
Building on past success
The congress builds on momentum from previous editions in 2021 and 2023, which contributed to improvements in pest management, regional standardisation, and export policy development.
This year’s congress saw increased participation from technology providers, showcasing innovations in traceability, drone surveillance, cold chain logistics, and AI-powered farm management.
In her remarks, Muthomi also shared Kenya’s long-term ambition:
We hope to see avocado farming bring in KSh30 billion annually over the next five years, up from the current KSh15 billion.
The road ahead
The impact of Avocado Africa 2025 is expected to extend well beyond the congress halls. From fostering new market linkages to accelerating tech adoption on farms, the event reaffirmed that innovation and business are central to the future of Africa’s avocado industry.
By equipping farmers and exporters with the tools and networks they need, the congress has laid a strong foundation for sustainable growth, improved competitiveness, and a thriving regional avocado trade.
