IITA–CGIAR‘s innovations continue to generate growing interest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Requests for partnerships, technical support, and scaling of its technologies are multiplying around its innovative solutions, which contribute to the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems and food security in the DRC.
Based on this development, from July 16 to 18, 2026, in Kolwezi, in the province of Lualaba, IITA took part in the 5th edition of the Grand Salon of Agribusiness and Digital in Africa, a major event bringing together public decision-makers, private sector, technical and financial partners, researchers, and entrepreneurs around the agricultural transformation of the DRC. Held under the theme “Agriculture, Mines and Technologies (AgriTech)”, this event highlighted synergies among these sectors to promote innovation, stimulate job creation, enhance local resources, and contribute to a sustainable future in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
IITA’s participation is fully in line with its mission to promote sustainable food systems, accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations, and strengthen strategic partnerships to support agricultural transformation.
Through its stand, IITA showcased a wide range of innovative technologies and solutions to address challenges in food security, agricultural productivity, agrifood processing, and job creation.
Visitors discovered, among other things, Aflasafe™, a biological technology for combating aflatoxins in maize, peanuts, and sorghum; NoduMax®, a biofertilizer that promotes soil fertility and biological nitrogen fixation in soybeans; improved seeds and high-quality seed systems; and improved cassava varieties and quality planting materials.
IITA also showcased the Black Soldier Fly technology, which transforms organic waste into larvae, a locally produced, sustainable, and protein-rich source of animal feed, while also producing an organic fertilizer (frass) from the residual organic matter processed by the larvae, thereby contributing to the sustainable improvement of soil fertility.
The booth also showcased innovations developed within the framework of the Cassava Value Chain Development (CVCD), including semi-autotrophic hydroponic (SAH) technology, several improved, high-yielding, disease- and pest-resistant cassava varieties (Obama, Ilona, Lumono, and Liyayi), as well as high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) and its derivative products including bread made from 10% HQCF and 90% wheat flour, waffles and doughnuts made from 50% HQCF, and starch flakes made from 100% cassava starch, illustrating the numerous opportunities for adding value to this crop.
Equipment for good agricultural practices and cassava processing, including a weeder, a grater, a press, and a hammer mill, was also on display. Finally, digital agriculture, traceability, and decision-support solutions, such as SeedTracker, were presented.
Over the three days of the trade fair, the IITA booth welcomed several hundred visitors, including national and provincial authorities, representatives of mining companies, technical and financial partners, universities, farmers’ organizations, and numerous young entrepreneurs. Several opportunities for collaboration were identified in seed systems, mechanization, cassava processing, digital agriculture, and bio-inputs.
During the high-level panels, IITA experts highlighted the Institute’s contributions to the sustainable transformation of agriculture in the DRC. Dr Joseph Atehnkeng presented IITA’s experience in developing agricultural value chains, seed systems, agrifood processing, and public-private partnerships; Dr Christopher Suh outlined IITA’s innovative solutions, including biofertilizers and sustainable soil management technologies to reduce dependence on imported inputs; while Dr Adebowale Abdul-Rasaq and Ir. Simon Lukombo presented IITA’s innovations in the cassava value chain, processing technologies, and business models that promote youth entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
Through these interventions, IITA experts demonstrated how agricultural research, technological innovation, and public-private partnerships can contribute to the industrialization of value chains, the development of local solutions to global challenges, and the creation of sustainable jobs.
Alongside the conferences and the exhibition, the IITA team held several bilateral meetings with the authorities of the Lualaba Provincial Government, the technical services of the Ministry of Agriculture, financial institutions, universities, farmers’ organizations, and development partners to explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Through its participation in GSAD 2026, IITA reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo in modernizing its agriculture through research, innovation, and strategic partnerships. By bringing together producers, investors, public authorities, and the private sector around proven solutions, the Institute helps build more resilient, competitive, and job-creating food systems for the benefit of rural communities.
Contributed by
Ritha Bumwe and Nazareth Ambua
Facts Only
* Event: 5th edition of the Grand Salon of Agribusiness and Digital in Africa.
* Date: July 16 to 18, 2026.
* Location: Kolwezi, Lualaba province.
* Theme: Agriculture, Mines and Technologies (AgriTech).
* IITA showcased Aflasafe™ for aflatoxin control in maize, peanuts, and sorghum.
* IITA showcased NoduMax®, a biofertilizer for soybean soil fertility.
* IITA displayed improved seeds and high-quality seed systems.
* IITA exhibited improved cassava varieties and quality planting materials.
* IITA presented Black Soldier Fly technology for transforming organic waste into animal feed and fertilizer.
* Innovations in the Cassava Value Chain Development (CVCD) included semi-autotrophic hydroponic (SAH) technology.
* Cassava innovations included improved, high-yielding, disease- and pest-resistant varieties (Obama, Ilona, Lumono, Liyayi).
* Cassava processing products displayed were high-quality cassava flour (HQCF), derived bread, waffles, doughnuts, and starch flakes.
* Equipment displayed included a weeder, grater, press, and hammer mill.
* Digital solutions presented included SeedTracker for agriculture traceability.
* IITA experts presented on developing agricultural value chains, seed systems, agrifood processing, and public-private partnerships.
* Bilateral meetings were held with Lualaba Provincial Government authorities and partners.
Executive Summary
Full Take
The narrative positions IITA as a central catalyst for the sustainable transformation of the DRC's agrifood systems by bridging cutting-edge technology with local economic realities. The presentation structure moves from specific, tangible biological innovations (aflatoxin control, biofertilizers) to large-scale value chain development (cassava processing, entrepreneurship models), culminating in high-level discussions about institutional partnership and industrialization. This flow suggests a strategic attempt to frame agricultural problems not merely as technical deficits but as opportunities for structured, public-private intervention.
The juxtaposition of deep biological science with market-facing applications—such as patenting specific cassava varieties alongside scalable waste management solutions like the Black Soldier Fly technology—creates an impression of comprehensive, holistic innovation. The pattern here is the establishment of a dependency on external technological support (IITA) to achieve internal systemic modernization. This can subtly frame local actors as recipients rather than primary drivers of change, even when the outcome involves job creation and empowering youth entrepreneurs through models like those in the cassava value chain.
The underlying implication rests on the premise that innovation alone is insufficient; it requires an institutional framework—the public-private partnerships discussed—to translate technical solutions into resilient food systems. The potential vulnerability lies in whether the focus on showcasing specific technologies successfully shifts the locus of power to implementers, or if the emphasis remains on IITA's role as the knowledge source, potentially leading to a dynamic where external partners dictate the terms of local agricultural development rather than fostering autonomous Congolese-led strategic direction. What mechanisms are in place to ensure that the commercialization and sustained benefit flows equitably to rural communities beyond the immediate scope of the trade fair visibility?
Sentinel — Human
This text reads like a factual report detailing the participation, exhibits, and outcomes of an academic institution at a specific trade event, structured with appropriate professional detail.