Your Guide to Sessions, Activities, and Key Highlights
The AFRICA CONNECT: MSIs Growth Summit – Tanzania 2026 (AFRICON 2026) offers a packed three-day program from May 5-7, 2026, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Designed to foster collaboration and growth in micro and small industries (MSIs), the event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, B2B meetings, exhibitions, and the prestigious Africa Luminary Honorary Awards Ceremony. Below is the detailed schedule to help you plan your participation.
Provisional Event Program
The summit spans three days with a rich agenda of activities. Below is the provisional schedule:
AFRICON 2026 PROVISIONAL EVENT PROGRAMME
May 4th, 2026
| Time | Title | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| - | Registration/ collection of name badges/Welcome reception (TBC) |
Day 1: May 5th, 2026
| Time | Title | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-9:00 | Registration/ Welcome Reception/ Entertainment | All/Protocol / Artists/Brass Band |
| 9:00-10:00 | Exhibition visit/ Networking / Refreshment | |
| 10:00-10:30 | Introduction & Welcoming Remarks | Africon Chair: Madelein Mkunu, TASSIM Chairman: Mr Ally Masoud Nyomwa |
| 10:30-11:00 | Keynote remarks from TCCIA, ZNCC, CTI & TWCC. Opening Ceremony: A vibrant opening ceremony featuring cultural performances and welcomes the attendees. | CTI ED: Dr Leodgar Tenga, TWCC ED: Ms Mwajuma Hamza, TCCIA ED: Mr Oscar Kissanga |
| 11:00-11:05 | Keynote remarks from Tanzania Private Sector Federation | TPSF Chairperson: Ms Angelina Ngalula |
| 11:05-11:10 | Keynote remarks from the Tanzania National Business Council | TNBC Executive Secretary: Dr Goodwill Wanga |
| 11:10-11:25 | Keynote remarks from Ministry of Trade & Industry Agencies | CEOs, DGs, EDs, MDs from BRELA, TBS, TIRDO, FCC, WMA, TEMDO, SIDO, NDC, WRRB, CBE, FCT, TanTrade |
| 11:25-11:35 | Keynote remarks from Tanzania Investment Centre, and Tanzania Revenue Authority | TIC ED: Mr Gilead Teri, TRA Commissioner: Mr Yusufu Mwenda |
| 11:35-11:40 | Keynote remarks from the Minister of State – President’s Office, Planning & Investment | Prof. Kitila Mkumbo |
| 11:40-11:45 | Keynote remarks from Sponsors & Partners | Representative from CRDB, NMB, TradeMark, MEDA |
| 11:45-11:55 | Keynote Speech | Prof. Emma Nyerere |
| 11:55-12:05 | Keynote Speech 6: Outlines the summit's objectives and expected outcomes. | |
| 12:05-12:15 | Keynote Speech 4: Provides the perspective and status of Tanzanian Micro and small-scale industries. | TASSIM Chairman: Mr Ally Masoud |
| 12:15-12:20 | Welcoming Remarks from the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner | Hon. Mr Albert Chalamila |
| 12:20-12:30 | Keynote Speech 1 from Ministry of Trade & Industrial Development from Zanzibar: Investment & Business Opportunities for Zanzibar MSIs | Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr Said Seif |
| 12:30-12:40 | Keynote Speech 1: Sets the stage with a vision for the future of MSIs in Tanzania. | H.E Selemani Jafo, Former Minister of Industry and Trade |
| 12:40-12:50 | Keynote Speech 2: Discusses the government's commitment to supporting MSI growth. | Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania |
| 12:50-13:05 | Special Address from the President of United Republic of Tanzania | Dr. Hon. Samia Suluhu Hassan |
| 13:05-13:15 | Group Photo with the Guest of Honor | All |
| 13:15-14:15 | Lunch Break & Networking | All |
| 14:15-15:00 | Panel Discussion 1: Agriculture & Agribusiness – Strengthening value chains and food security through innovation and sustainable partnerships. This panel will identify bankable opportunities across agricultural production, agro-processing, logistics, and food security, with a focus on value addition, regional trade, and climate resilience. Participants will explore partnerships linking farmers, processors, investors, and markets under AfCFTA, resulting in actionable pathways to strengthen food systems, expand exports, and scale inclusive agribusiness models—particularly those integrating women and youth. |
Panelists |
| 15:00-15:45 | Panel Discussion 2: ICT & Digital Innovation – Powering Africa’s Next Growth Frontier. The panel will examine renewable energy and infrastructure solutions critical to Africa’s industrialisation and economic resilience. Outcomes include identifying priority projects, financing models, and public–private partnerships in solar, wind, clean energy, transport, and industrial infrastructure, with emphasis on local value creation, skills development, and community impact. |
Panelists |
| 15:45-16:30 | Panel Discussion 3: Renewable Energy & Infrastructure – Driving inclusive energy solutions and resilient infrastructure development. The panel will focus on renewable energy solutions addressing Africa’s energy access gap while supporting industrialisation and climate goals. Expected outcomes include identifying priority projects, financing models, and public–private partnerships in solar, wind, and clean energy, as well as opportunities for local manufacturing, skills development, and community-level impact. |
Panelists |
| 16:30-16:45 | Afternoon tea break | |
| 17:00-19:00 | Exclusive High-Level Business & Government Leaders Dinner (By Invitation Only). A closed-door networking engagement for international business leaders and senior Tanzanian public and private sector decision-makers. | By invitation |
Day 2: May 6th, 2026
| Time | Title | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00-8:30 | Registration & Morning Coffee | All |
| 8:30-9:15 | Exhibition visits | |
| 9:15-10:00 | Panel Discussion 4: Tourism & Hospitality – Celebrating Africa’s cultural richness and elevating sustainable tourism as a driver for economic transformation. This panel will explore strategies to reposition Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector as a driver of sustainable economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange. Outcomes include identifying investment opportunities in eco-tourism, heritage tourism, and hospitality infrastructure, and strengthening linkages between tourism, creative industries, and local communities, particularly women-led enterprises. |
All |
| 10:00-10:15 | Morning tea break | |
| 10:15-11:00 | Panel Discussion 5: Women-Led Enterprises – Scaling Inclusive Growth and Investment. The panel will spotlight women-led enterprises as engines of inclusive economic growth and innovation. Participants will identify barriers and solutions related to access to finance, markets, and procurement, and develop practical recommendations to scale women-owned businesses through policy support, investment, and strategic partnerships at national and regional levels. |
Panelists |
| 11:00-11:45 | Panel Discussion 6: Education & Human Capital – Investing in skills, leadership, and the future workforce. The panel will focus on aligning education, skills development, and leadership training with Africa’s industrial and digital transformation. Outcomes include identifying partnerships between governments, academia, industry, and investors to strengthen technical skills, workforce readiness, and leadership pipelines, especially for women and youth. |
Panelists |
| 11:45-12:30 | Panel Discussion 7: Creative Industries – Monetising Africa’s Culture and Talent. This panel will examine how Africa’s creative industries—film, music, media, design, and cultural production—can be monetised and integrated into formal value chains. Outcomes include identifying investment and distribution opportunities, strengthening intellectual property frameworks, and building partnerships that elevate African creative talent in regional and global markets. |
Panelists |
| 12:30-14:00 | B2B Lunch | All |
| 14:00-14:45 | Panel Discussion 8: Financing Africa’s Growth – Investment, Trade Finance & Grant Opportunities from Global Capital Markets. This panel will focus on trade facilitation, regional integration, and investment flows supporting MSMEs and global players. Participants will explore AfCFTA-driven opportunities, export readiness, trade finance, and policy reforms needed to unlock cross-border trade and scale African enterprises. The panel will connect African enterprises and policymakers with international financiers and development partners from around the world. Participants will gain practical insights into accessing equity, debt, blended finance, trade finance, and grants, structuring bankable projects, and mitigating risk to accelerate inclusive growth across priority sectors. |
|
| 14:45-16:30 | Organized B2B / Afternoon tea break | Panelist |
Day 3: May 7th, 2026
| Time | Title | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00-15:00 |
a. Site Visit to Kwala Special Economic Zone (SEZ): An in-depth look at the benefits and opportunities presented by Tanzania's strategic economic zone. b. B2B Site Visit to Reputed Manufacturing Industries: A practical exploration of five key manufacturing sectors including Food Processing, Wooden Furniture Manufacturing, Soap & Detergent Manufacturing, Paper Napkin & Tissue Paper Manufacturing, and Metal Fabrication. c. Mikumi National Park Excursion via the Tanzania SGR Railway: A chance to experience Tanzania's stunning wildlife and scenic landscapes, utilizing the newly launched Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) – a modern transportation marvel. (Cost: $150) |
|
| 19:00-late | Awards Gala dinner |
Additional Information
The Day 3 site visits are optional and provide a unique opportunity to explore Tanzania’s industrial and natural landscapes. The cost for the Mikumi National Park Excursion, which includes a ride on the Tanzania SGR Railway, is $250 per person. To book your spot, please indicate your interest during registration or contact the organizing team at info@tassim.or.tz.