Africa's industrial transformation depends on strong partnerships, innovative technologies and access to global markets. As the continent advances its vision under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union's Agenda 2063, collaboration with international manufacturing leaders has become increasingly important.
The Africa Manufacturing & Agro-Processing Trade Missions 2026 have been developed to create exactly these opportunities. Through two strategic international business missions to the Republic of Türkiye and the Russian Federation, the programme will connect African governments, manufacturers, investors, SMEs, cooperatives, development institutions and the African diaspora with some of the world's leading industrial partners.
Rather than serving as traditional business trips, the trade missions are designed to deliver practical commercial outcomes through investment, technology transfer, industrial partnerships and market access that contribute to Africa's long-term economic development.
Two Strategic Missions. One Continental Vision.
The programme consists of two international trade missions hosted alongside globally recognised business platforms. The first mission will take place in Istanbul and Sakarya, Türkiye, from 21–26 September 2026, alongside MÜSİAD EXPO, one of Türkiye's premier international trade exhibitions. Delegates will engage with manufacturers, machinery suppliers, exporters and technology providers while participating in business matchmaking, investment forums, factory visits and industrial exhibitions.
The second mission will be held in Moscow, Russian Federation, from 26–30 October 2026, alongside the Africa–Russia Summit. This mission provides access to high-level government engagements, business forums, industrial exhibitions and investment platforms that strengthen commercial cooperation between African countries and Russia.
Together, the two missions provide participants with access to two of the world's most important industrial and manufacturing ecosystems.
A Focus on Industrial Growth
The trade missions are centred around industries that have the greatest potential to accelerate Africa's industrialisation and value addition.
Priority sectors include manufacturing, agro-processing, industrial machinery, factory automation, food processing technologies, packaging, construction materials, agricultural equipment, mining technologies, renewable energy, logistics, ICT and infrastructure development.
By connecting African organisations with international manufacturers and technology providers, the missions aim to strengthen local production capacity while encouraging regional manufacturing and cross-border trade throughout the continent.
More Than Business Meetings
Every activity within the programme has been designed to encourage meaningful collaboration and long-term partnerships. Participants will take part in structured Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Government (B2G) and Government-to-Government (G2G) engagements, business matchmaking sessions, investment forums, industrial site visits, factory tours, supplier meetings, networking events and sector-focused discussions.
These engagements provide opportunities to identify suppliers, explore investment opportunities, establish joint ventures, source industrial machinery and exchange knowledge with global industry leaders.
Supporting Africa's Industrial Future
The Africa Manufacturing & Agro-Processing Trade Missions are expected to generate tangible outcomes that extend beyond the duration of the programme. Investment commitments, machinery procurement agreements, technology transfer partnerships, manufacturing collaborations, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), distribution agreements and expanded trade networks are among the anticipated results.
Equally important, the initiative strengthens collaboration between African countries themselves, encouraging regional partnerships that reinforce value chains and support the objectives of AfCFTA.
Creating Opportunities Through Global Collaboration
Industrialisation is one of the key drivers of sustainable economic growth, employment creation and competitiveness. By creating direct links between African stakeholders and leading industrial partners in Türkiye and Russia, the Africa Manufacturing & Agro-Processing Trade Missions 2026 provide a platform for collaboration that supports innovation, investment and long-term development.
As governments, businesses and development institutions continue to work towards a more integrated African economy, these trade missions represent an important step in building international partnerships that contribute to a stronger, more industrialised and globally competitive Africa.