Africa Coffee & Tea Expo 2026: The Complete Guide to Attending in Kigali

2026 Quick Facts

📅 Dates: July 8-10, 2026

📍 Venue: Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda

🎯 Theme: "Blending Africa's Finesse with Global Business"

👥 Expected Attendance: 1,000+

🏢 Expected Exhibitors: 150+

🤝 VVIP Hosted Buyers: 100+

🌍 Countries Represented: 25+

📋 Anticipated Trade Agreements: 50+

🎫 Registration: act.events.rw

🏨 Recommended Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali. Standard rooms from $250/night. Booking code: ACT25 (valid until June 20, 2026)

✈️ Airport: Kigali International Airport (KGL), 5 km from venue, approximately 10 minutes by taxi

Africa Coffee & Tea Expo 2026, Kigali, July 8-10, 2026

What ACT Expo Is, and Why It Matters

The Africa Coffee & Tea Expo (ACT Expo) is a B2B trade event connecting African coffee and tea producers with international buyers, investors, and industry stakeholders. According to the organizers, it is the first pan-African gathering of its kind focused specifically on both the coffee and tea industries combined. The inaugural edition ran July 7-8, 2025 at the Kigali Convention Centre. The 2026 edition expands to three full days under the theme "Blending Africa's Finesse with Global Business."

Three institutions co-organize it. The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) handles Rwanda's regulatory oversight of agricultural exports, including coffee and tea. The Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) brings MICE expertise and ensures Rwanda's position as a regional events hub. And Rwanda Events Group, established in 2009, handles production and logistics. That combination of regulatory authority and event management experience gives the expo institutional backing beyond a standard private trade fair.

According to the organizers, Africa produces over 23 million 60-kg bags of coffee and 750,000 metric tons of tea annually, supporting millions of smallholder farmers across the continent. The expo's purpose is structural: reducing the layers of intermediaries between African producers and international buyers, and enabling direct trade relationships that keep more of the value on the continent.

How to Register: Three Different Paths

Hosted Buyers are the most valuable category for the organizers to attract, and the program reflects that. Qualified buyers receive 2 nights of complimentary hotel accommodation plus airport transfers and local transportation, a minimum of 8 pre-scheduled B2B meetings with matched suppliers, a dedicated concierge, exclusive market intelligence reports, and 30 days of post-event follow-up support. The program is complimentary for approved buyers. Eligible profiles include wholesale distributors, retail chains, hospitality groups, specialty importers, e-commerce retailers, and corporate procurement decision-makers. Apply at act.events.rw/forms/buyer-form.php.

Exhibitors take floor space to present products to the buyers and delegates in attendance. The pricing from the official exhibitors page, all excluding Rwanda's 18% VAT, breaks down as follows: floor space only at $65 per sqm (you provide your own stand builder, design must be approved by May 15, 2026); a shell scheme stand at $960 for 9 sqm, which includes branded panels, a reception counter, furniture, and power supply; a custom executive package at $2,700 for 9 sqm with bespoke design, TV screen, and full meeting furniture; or a country pavilion at $320 per sqm with a minimum of 54 sqm, including full branding for national delegations. The exhibitor registration deadline listed under Key Deadlines on the site is May 31, 2026, though the page's CTA section also references June 30, 2026. Confirm the current deadline directly with the organizers before acting on either. Book at act.events.rw/forms/exhibitor-form.php.

Delegates attend for the conference programme, expert-led discussions, the Coffee Barista and Tea Sommelier Championships, networking events, and general floor access. Register at act.events.rw/forms/delegate-form.php.

Getting to Kigali

The Kigali Convention Centre is 5 km from Kigali International Airport (KGL), approximately a 10-minute taxi ride. The airport is served by RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, and other carriers. Taxis are available at the arrivals exit around the clock. Agree on the fare before you get in, and expect to pay roughly $10-20 depending on the operator.

Accommodation

The expo's recommended hotel is the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali, which sits directly adjacent to the Kigali Convention Centre. The hotel has 291 rooms and suites, all with private balconies and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Standard rooms are available from $250 per night using booking code ACT25, valid until June 20, 2026. Being next to the venue eliminates any commute to sessions, puts you in natural proximity to other attendees between programme slots, and keeps you close to evening networking.

Visas

Rwanda's visa policy is among the most accessible on the continent. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member states enter free of charge, with the visa issued on arrival. All other nationalities can obtain a single-entry conference or tourist visa on arrival or online for $50 USD, valid for 30 days. You can apply online in advance at irembo.gov.rw. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

Practical Notes

Currency. The Rwandan Franc (RWF) is the official currency. USD is widely accepted at the convention centre, hotels, and most restaurants. Keep some RWF for taxis and smaller purchases.

Language. Kinyarwanda, French, and English are all official. English is standard in business settings at the KCC.

Safety. Kigali is consistently cited as one of Africa's safest and cleanest cities. Rwanda enforces a strict plastic bag ban at entry points, so leave single-use plastics at home.

Key dates to track. Stand design approval deadline: May 15, 2026. Exhibitor registration deadline: May 31, 2026 per the Key Deadlines section (though confirm with organizers, as the site also references June 30). Hotel discount code ACT25 expires June 20, 2026.

Why Rwanda, Why Now

Rwanda is not a neutral host. It is an active participant in both industries. The country's coffee sector has built a strong specialty reputation, and its tea estates produce orthodox varieties with distinct cup profiles. The NAEB, one of the expo's co-organizers, is directly responsible for improving the quality and volume of Rwanda's agricultural exports. Hosting the expo here is not just logistical. It puts the country's own producers at the centre of a platform designed to connect them with buyers who have come specifically to source.

The structure of ACT Expo, with vetted hosted buyers, guaranteed pre-scheduled meetings, a business matchmaking system, and post-event follow-up support, is built to generate real trade outcomes rather than general industry networking. For producers across the continent, that's the distinction that makes three days in Kigali in July worth the trip.