TAHA rolls out Africa’s horticulture expo

ARUSHA: TANZANIA has formally unveiled Africa’s premier fresh fruit, vegetable and flower trade show edition to be held in Arusha annually in its latest efforts to unlock the horticultural industry potential.

Dubbed ‘Horti Logistica Africa’, the brainchild of Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) in partnership with the government, the event promises to be international edition to be held every November in Arusha.

Horti-Logistica Africa is envisioned as the premier annual event for the agricultural and food sectors in Africa, uniting an array of different stakeholders from across the continent and globally.

It is a Pan African professional trade fair that shall become the point of reference for the entire continental horticultural sub-sector particularly the fresh fruits and vegetables supply chain.

This event planned to debut in June 2026 is modeled after successful international trade fairs such as Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Macfrut in Rimini, Italy, and Fruit Attraction in Spain.

This trade fair aims to foster business connections, showcase cutting-edge innovations, and promote sustainable development in Africa’s fruit and vegetable industry.

Welcoming the Permanent Secretary – Prime Minister’s Office – Policy, Parliament, and Coordination, Dr Jim Yonazi to launch the initiative in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Gerald Mweli said Tanzania would be the pioneer country to host such a grand trade fair on horticulture.

“Tanzania would be the first country in Africa to host this kind of event. And the government is fully committed to support TAHA to realize this great idea” Mr Mweli pledged.

The launch was part of the Horticulture Business and Investment Summit 2025 (HoBIS-2025) held in Hyatt Regency Hotel that brought together partners, investors, development agencies, private sector leaders, researchers, policymakers, and members of the horticulture value chain.

“We are going to bring the World to Arusha, Tanzania through the Horti Logistica Africa” TAHA CEO, Dr Jacqueline Mkindi said shortly after the initiative inauguration.

For her, the show creates a perfect business avenue for horticultural growers, exporters and other entrepreneurs as it provides the opportunity for exhibitors to present their fresh crops to the global buyers, tech innovators and other stakeholders.

Dr, Mkindi, who is a mastermind behind the show, adds that the event will bring together global horticultural farmers, industry service providers such as agricultural technology suppliers, financial institutions, breeders, buyers, innovators and consumers such as hotel and tour operators, under one roof.

“With an understanding that not all African farmers and exporters attend international exhibitions, due to not only logistics challenges but also visa and immigration policies in developed countries, Horti-Logistica Africa will serve as the platform of bringing international buyers and retail chain to the source of the supply chain and critical foster mutual collaboration for a streamline market access” she explained.

Billed as the continental premier horticultural show, Horti-Logistica Africa would be a dedicated platform, seeking to unlock the continent’s vast horticultural potential, address logistical challenges, and facilitate global trade opportunities.

The event covers the entire fresh produce industry value chain and its service support companies, as well as the latest, innovative products and ideas, would attract thousands of exhibitors, buyers, spectators and horticultural stakeholders from across the world.

The primary objectives of Horti-Logistica Africa 2026 are to facilitate business-to-business (B2B) meetings between African horticultural stakeholders and international buyers, showcase the latest technologies, products, and services in the fruit and vegetable supply chain

Others are to provide a forum for knowledge sharing through mini-conferences, and workshops, promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices to reduce post-harvest losses, attract investment and partnerships to support Africa’s horticultural sub-sector.