Africa Sugar 2026: Main Conference Day 1
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate
- Exploring innovative practices and technologies to enhance efficiency, environmental sustainability, and resilience in sugar production across the region.
- Examining the role of strategic policymaking and international collaboration
- Insights from the International Sugar Organisation in shaping the future of the sugar sector.
- Jude Chesire - CEO, Chairman, Kenya Sugar Board, International Sugar Organization
Addressing continental sugar supply and the current deficit that exists, in the context of the AfCFTA.
Exploring value addition and diversification to drive industry expansion and resilience.
Structural challenges in African sugar value chains that require strengthening collaboration among sugar producers to overcome these and foster growth.
Identifying future strategic opportunities for sustainable and competitive sugar industries in Africa.
- Nontobeko Mabuza - Head of Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement, Eswatini Sugar
- Oswald Magwenzi - Country Managing Director - Zambia, Zambia Sugar
- José Orive - Executive Director, International Sugar Organization
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate
How to reduce cane transport costs (currently 25–45% of production cost)
Modern, cost-effective fleet management and digital scheduling options
Appropriate clustered harvesting and shared logistics models
Opportunities for climate-smart transportation (fuel efficiency and low-emission systems)
Strengthening farmer–miller transport contracts to weed out middlemen and deliver value
Pathways to reduce post-harvest losses and standby times which erodes sucrose content
- Paul Orengoh - Chairman, Sugar Sector Transporters Association of Kenya (SSTAK)
Tying sugar and ethanol policy to broader industrial development goals.
Learning from Brazil and Pakistan to unlock local innovation hubs and attract capital.
- Maurice Ekpong - Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief, African Journal for Sustainable Development (AJSD)
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate
Addressing gaps in African sugar industry regulation.
The role of AfCFTA in enabling cross-border trade and industrial linkages.
- Grace Bwengye - Senior Planner Agriculture, National Planning Authority
Explore the role of governments in shaping sugar and ethanol industries.
The relevance of compliance and sustainability as key considerations in policy development and industry growth.
- Maurice Ekpong - Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief, African Journal for Sustainable Development (AJSD)
- Grace Bwengye - Senior Planner Agriculture, National Planning Authority
- Mahlon Walo - Chairman, Carbon Market Association of Kenya (CAMAK)
- Mwine Jim Kabeho - Chairman, Uganda Sugar Manufacturers Association
- Ahmet Yenisehirli - Business Manager Middle East & Africa, CNH Industrial – New Holland Agriculture
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate
Integrating ethical frameworks and ESG principles into industry practices
Promoting sustainable innovation and circular economy approaches
Aligning policy, leadership, and technological adoption for responsible growth
- Lamwaka Proscovia - Post-Doctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate, Theology, Northwestern Christian University, USA
- Mahlon Walo - Chairman, Carbon Market Association of Kenya (CAMAK)
- Devesh Dukhira - Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Sugar Syndicate