Africa Sugar 2026: Main Conference Day 2
Regulatory threats and market access premiums.
Evaluating policy toolkits for sustainability.
- Nestor Msowoya - Export Manager, Illovo Sugar Malawi
- Oswald Magwenzi - Country Managing Director - Zambia, Zambia Sugar
The role of sugar in health and nutrition, addressing misconceptions and providing evidence-based insights.
Public health policy in Africa, particularly around sugar taxes and labelling, where the region lags behind global trends.
Lessons from other regions, such as Latin America, where labelling reforms have driven significant changes (e.g., reformulation of products).
The disconnect between sugar intake trends (declining) and obesity rates (rising), with supporting videos to illustrate this dynamic.
The importance of evidence-based research in shaping public health policy and addressing global commitments, such as those discussed at UN health meetings.
- Annie Denny - Director General, World Sugar Research Organisation
Exploring the role of sugar as a developmental crop in Africa, driving economic growth, job creation, and rural development.
Understanding the expectations placed on the sugar industry to deliver sustainable development outcomes for communities and national agendas.
Examining industry capabilities and strategies to actualise development goals effectively and sustainably.
Differentiating Africa’s sugar industry from global historical narratives to shape a unique and impactful policy environment.
- Megan Harrington - Managing Director, Kamili Development
Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening energy security.
Leveraging crops like sugarcane, maize, and cassava for ethanol production.
Environmental benefits and economic empowerment through ethanol production.
Emphasise the importance of processing crops grown in Africa for added value.
Discuss crop protection, certification for export, and downstream product processing.
Discuss India’s model of millers not owning farms and involving communities in feedstock production.
Exploring transferable lessons for Africa.
- Binu Panickar - Vice President Marketing, Raj Process Equipments and Systems Pvt Ltd
- Outlining design options for bioethanol plants and process optimisation.
Explore how remote sensing technology can support growers and field operations.
Showcase actionable advice generated from complex realities of remote sensing.
- Daniel Levelt - Director, SmartCane
How digital tools streamline farmer coordination, input distribution, and yield monitoring.
Case studies from East Africa on improving farmer productivity and securing reliable cane supply.