About the Event
The Africa Trade Development Forum (ATDF) 2026 is a high-level continental platform that brings together governments, regional institutions, standards bodies, development partners and the private sector to agree on practical trade reforms for Africa.
ATDF will examine how to build the trust that will allow companies in Africa to trade more within the continent and with the rest of the world. It will explore the quality required to do so, and the support needed from Governments and regional and international bodies to set and meet clear, harmonised standards for easier market access.
The Forum is targeted and high level, bringing together 300 delegates, by invitation or accreditation. This year’s forum is co-hosted by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and TradeMark Africa, under the theme Building Africa’s Exports Through Quality.
For more details check the Concept Note:
(https://atdf.trademarkafrica.com/sites/default/files/2026-09/ATDF-26-Concept%20Note-English.pdf)
Registration Links
- Request Accreditation – Join Us (https://atdf.trademarkafrica.com/register)
- Plan Your Visit – Travel and Accommodation (https://atdf.trademarkafrica.com/travel)
Why It Matters for Exporters and Buyers
- Understand how standards, certification and SPS requirements increasingly decide market access as tariffs fall under the AfCFTA.
- Learn how mutual recognition agreements and regulatory harmonization can reduce repeated testing and lower compliance costs.
- Hear concrete results from digital phytosanitary certification and decentralized testing services in Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda.
- Connect with decision makers shaping the 2030 continental priorities for quality infrastructure and trade.
- Gain insight into what buyers in demanding markets expect in terms of traceability and verified compliance.
Who Will Attend
- Political leadership: Heads of Government, the African Union Commission, trade ministers, and Regional Economic Communities (EAC, COMESA, ECOWAS, SADC, IGAD, AfCFTA)
- Private sector: CEOs and industrialists from leading African and international exporting firms
- Standards system: ARSO, ISO, Codex Alimentarius, IPPC, WOAH and national bureaux of standards
- Funding partners: donors, development partners and think tanks
- Young entrepreneurs building Africa’s export businesses
Key Highlights
- Launch of the flagship report Trust is Trade: Standards as Strategic Infrastructure, developed with UNIDO.
- High-level fireside chats, ministerial roundtables and closed-door private-sector dialogues.
- A dedicated session on Financing Africa, by Africa for Africa and an investment summit with Trade Catalyst Africa.
- Sessions on food corridors, digitalization, and science and innovation for exports.
- A youth roundtable featuring young entrepreneurs building Africa’s export firms.
- Proposed commitments to raise the quality and value of goods traded within and from Africa.
Dates & Format
📅 November 23–24, 2026 | Format: In-Person
Venue
📍 Ethiopian Skylight Hotel
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
More Information Contact
- Official Website: atdf.trademarkafrica.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Full Programme: https://atdf.trademarkafrica.com/agenda