The Canada-Africa Agribusiness Summit (CAAS) 2026 will return to Saskatoon, Canada on July 15–16, 2026 with an expanded continental agenda designed to deepen trade, investment and commercial links between African and Canadian agribusinesses. Organisers expect more than 500 agribusiness leaders, investors, policymakers and innovators to gather for two days of high-impact engagement on market access, value-chain partnerships and sustainable agriculture collaboration.

Building on the success of the inaugural Canada-Ghana Agribusiness Summit in 2025, the 2026 edition broadens its reach to include stakeholders from across Africa’s agrifood ecosystem. The expanded format reflects growing interest in structured commercial cooperation, trade diversification and practical investment outcomes between the two regions.

Strategic Role of Agribusiness in Canada-Africa Trade

Positioned within the framework of Canada’s Africa Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda, the summit aims to help narrow persistent trade gaps by forging practical partnerships, matching investors with African agribusiness opportunities, and moving beyond discussion to concrete deal-making. Canada-Africa merchandise trade reached US $16.3 billion in 2023, and agribusiness cooperation is widely seen as a high-growth segment that can scale both export flows and investment deals over the next decade.

The summit’s theme, “Building a Trade-Driven Future for Canada and Africa,” signals a shift toward results-oriented platforms that support export readiness, investment pipelines and technology transfer. Organisers say CAAS 2026 will include:

• Business matchmaking sessions to connect African agribusinesses with Canadian buyers and capital partners.
• Investment roundtables featuring private equity, agrifood funds and institutional investors.
• Export readiness and market development workshops tailored for African SMEs, cooperatives and exporters.
• Agritech showcases spotlighting innovations in precision agriculture, climate-smart farming and digital value chains.

Driving Africa’s Participation and Value Capture

Dr Mary M Buhr, Chair of the Canada-Africa Agribusiness Summit, said the event was designed to create “real opportunities for agribusinesses on both continents.” Summit host and Voazok Agritours Canada CEO Derrick Owusu Kodua emphasised Africa’s rising role in global agricultural trade and the need for equal, mutually beneficial partnerships that help African firms move up value chains and improve competitiveness. Stephen Gyasi Kwaw, CEO of Eventus Nation Ghana, described the summit as a catalyst for transforming partnership potential into shared prosperity and sustainable commercial outcomes.

Recognising the diversity of Africa’s agricultural sectors, CAAS 2026 will address key value-chain themes such as:

• Market access and export development for staples, horticulture and processed foods.
• Investment partnerships in production, processing and logistics infrastructure.
• Technology transfer in areas like mechanisation, irrigation and agritech solutions.
• Climate-smart agriculture and sustainability to support resilient African food systems.
• Value-chain integration across production, transformation and distribution.

A Platform for African Agribusiness Growth

Organisers have launched a Country Delegation Programme to mobilise national and regional participation from across Africa, encouraging governments, private sector actors and agribusiness networks to lead delegations and position their markets within emerging Canada-Africa trade corridors.

CAAS 2026 is open to SMEs, cooperatives, startups, exporters, investors, technology providers, development organisations and government agencies seeking to strengthen agricultural trade links, attract capital and explore joint ventures. Registration is currently open via the summit’s official website.

Why CAAS Matters to African Agriculture

• Trade diversification: Helps African agribusinesses access stable Canadian markets and diversify away from traditional export partners.
• Value addition: Encourages investment in processing and quality upgrades that capture more value regionally and globally.
• Technology and skills: Spurs the adoption of innovations that boost productivity, climate resilience and competitiveness.
• Networking and capital: Connects African agripreneurs with global investors focused on sustainable food systems.

As African agricultural economies seek to scale exports and embed themselves in global value chains, platforms like the Canada-Africa Agribusiness Summit could prove pivotal in translating policy ambition into measurable trade and investment outcomes — making CAAS 2026 a key highlight on the continent’s agribusiness calendar.