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TAAT Showcases Agricultural Innovations at the Kilimo Biashara Expo 2026
The Kilimo Biashara Expo 2026 is a major regional agribusiness event bringing together more than 5,000 stakeholders across the agricultural value chain. It was an opportunity that the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme could not miss to showcase its agricultural innovations.
The event, organised by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) in partnership with Poise Business Development Consulting, is taking place on 12–13 March 2026 at the KALRO Seeds headquarters in Thika, Kenya.
Held under the theme “Advancing Agribusiness through Improved Technologies, Partnerships & Market Linkages,” the expo was officially opened by Paul Rono, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Agriculture of Kenya.
Since its launch in 2018, the TAAT programme (a flagship initiative of the African Development Bank) has been working to disseminate proven agricultural technologies, strengthen seed systems, and promote the harmonisation of agricultural policies across Africa.
To date, TAAT has integrated 71 technologies into 14 large-scale projects and provided technical assistance to 21 projects across 24 countries, influencing investments estimated at $857 million. In addition, 136 additional technologies have been integrated into 18 large-scale projects across 21 countries, representing $1.7 billion in agricultural investments.
In this context, TAAT’s participation in the expo reflects the strengthening of its collaboration with the Kenyan government, particularly through the development of seed roadmaps for nine priority agricultural value chains.
According to Rachel Zozo, Acting Coordinator of the TAAT Programme Management Unit, “The Kilimo Biashara Expo provides an important platform for connecting farmers, researchers, and agribusiness actors with technologies capable of significantly improving productivity and resilience. TAAT is committed to ensuring that proven agricultural innovations reach farmers at scale across Africa.”
Several TAAT compacts are participating in the event, including those focusing on maize, soybean, high-iron beans, orange-fleshed sweet potato, sorghum, and millet, as well as ENABLE-TAAT, which promotes youth entrepreneurship in agriculture.
During the exhibition, TAAT, through its compacts, is showcasing several improved and climate-resilient crop varieties. These innovations are presented in a central pavilion as well as through guided tours of demonstration plots hosted by KALRO.
Visitors can also explore opportunities in agribusiness development and value addition, demonstrating how improved technologies can support the creation of profitable enterprises along agricultural value chains.
According to Solomon Gizaw, Head of the TAAT Clearinghouse, “Our goal is to accelerate the adoption of high-impact agricultural technologies by strengthening seed systems, supporting agribusiness development, and building partnerships that link innovation to markets.”
This participation also aligns with Kenya’s national campaign to increase sunflower and soybean production, aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imported edible oils.
According to David Ojo, TAAT Soybean Compact Leader, “Kenya is a strategic partner for TAAT. Through collaboration with national research institutions and seed companies, we are supporting initiatives that increase domestic production of key crops such as soybean and sunflower while strengthening national seed systems.”
By supporting the development of efficient seed systems and the dissemination of improved technologies, TAAT contributes to strengthening national agricultural production.
Through its participation in the Kilimo Biashara Expo 2026, TAAT aims to further scale agricultural technologies across Africa, expand market opportunities, and sustainably improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the continent.
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