The 12^th Africa Sugar and Ethanol Conference organized annually by Informa Connect, held at the Movenpick Hotel and Residences in Nairobi Kenya from April 15 to 16 2025, drawing delegates from more than 17 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Focused on driving innovation, policy and sustainability in the sector, the 2025 Africa Sugar Conference saw business leaders, policy makers, technology providers, investors and other critical stakeholders converge in Nairobi. Thematic areas covered by subject matter experts over the two-day conference included “Market: Present and Potential Growth”, “Role of Regulation and Government Policy”, “Climate Impact on Production and Sustainability” and “Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Landscape”.

Picture above: Jessica Edinger, Sugar Analyst, S&P Global

Chaired by AJSD’s Maurice Ekpong, speakers at the 12th Africa Sugar Conference included Jessica Edinger of S&P Global, Pal Martin Ladsten (Regional Director IFF), Jude Chesire (CEO Kenya Sugar Board), Julian Price (Executive Director ACP/LDC Sugar Industries Group), Linda Davis (Founder and CEO Giraffe Energy), Mike Ogg (Regional Manager Bonsucro), Devesh Dukhira (CEO Mauritius Sugar Syndicate), Oswald Magwenzi (Managing Director Illovo Sugar Zambia), Dr. Sandeep Chichbankar (Chairman and Managing Director Covalent Projects India), Sophie Odupoy (Director Public Affairs Koko Networks) and Trent Devenney (Global Analytics Lead Marquis Energy Global). Other speakers included Grace Bwengye (Planner Agriculture, National Planning Authority Uganda), Bryson Mkhomaanthu (CEO Presscane Limited), David Kafuko (Technical Manager Uganda Farmers Crop Industries), Simbarashe Garaba (Zambia Sugar) and Chitrali Bhosale (Saisidha).

Speaking on “Sugar Market and Trade Dynamics”, Jessica Edinger, Sugar Analyst, S&P Global reported that after two years of surplus, the global sugar supply and demand balance will see a “deficit for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 review period”. Furthermore, she reported that while “Africa represents 12.6% of total global sugar consumption, the growth rate of its consumption is second only to Asia with a current supply deficit for the continent estimated at 30 million metric tons” and growing into the foreseeable future.

There were two high-level panel discussion sessions moderated by Maurice Ekpong. The first session which held on April 15 had Grace Bwengye, Dr. Sandeep Chichbanker and David Kafuko discussing “Policy Perspectives: The Role of Governments in Shaping Sugar Industry Growth”. The second panel discussion focused on the “Future of Ethanol and Sugar – Balancing Regional growth and Global Standards”; with Devesh Dukhira, Linda Davis, Pal Martin Ladsten and Sophie Odupoy providing insightful perspectives, highlighting the huge opportunities across the continent, and the need for Africa to focus on building strategic partnerships. Speakers also touched on the ongoing tariff war, proposing that Africa is best served by strategic partnerships rather than retaliatory tariffs.

Informa is a global leader in business intelligence, events and exhibitions with offices in 30 countries and about 12,000 employees. The 2025 Africa Sugar Conference was sponsored by Saisidha, Top Gear, Shrijee, Three Star, Zambia Sugar, Interis, IFF, Illovo Sugar, Galaxy Sivtek, Covalent, Chart, Faizan and numerous media partners including the African Journal for Sustainable Development.

Above picture from left to right: Grace Bwengye, Planner Agriculture, National Planning Authority; David Kafuko, Technical Manager, Uganda Farmers Crop Industries; Dr. Sandeep Chichbanker, Chairman and Managing Director, Covalent Projects & Engineering Pvt. Limited and Maurice Ekpong, Executive Director and Editor in Chief, African Journal for Sustainable Development (AJSD)