Global potato sector is gearing up for World Potato Congress 2026

April 20, 2026

Held at the scenic Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, the 2026 edition marks a significant moment for Africa’s rapidly developing potato sector. The congress is expected to attract growers, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the globe, offering a platform where science, business, and development intersect.

Spotlight on global leadership and grassroots innovation

Among the first confirmed speakers are two highly influential voices representing both ends of the agricultural innovation spectrum. From Rwanda, Christella Uwase brings a powerful entrepreneurial perspective to the stage. As CEO and Founder of Bountiful Farmers Ltd, Uwase is pioneering the multiplication and commercialization of high-quality seed potato minitubers using the Sandponic system. Rooted in a family farming background, she has built her company around a clear belief: quality seed is the foundation of food security and farmer prosperity. Her work goes beyond production. By offering internships to students from various universities, Uwase actively invests in the next generation of agricultural innovators. At WPC 2026, she will present “Driving Inclusivity in Seed Potato Production: Insights from a Youthful Agripreneur in Rwanda”, aligning closely with the International Year of the Woman Farmer and highlighting the role of youth and gender inclusivity in shaping future food systems.

Global scientific leadership

Complementing this entrepreneurial voice is global scientific leadership from Simon Heck, Director General of the International Potato Center. Based in Lima, Peru, CIP is a key research institute within the CGIAR network, delivering science-driven solutions for root and tuber crops across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Dr. Heck brings extensive expertise in agri-food systems, environmental management, and policy development. His career spans leading roles at organizations such as International Union for Conservation of Nature, Department for International Development, and WorldFish Center. His plenary presentation, “Potatoes for the Globe”, will explore the strategic role of potatoes in addressing global challenges such as food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural systems.

A congress with growing global relevance

The World Potato Congress has evolved into more than just a conference. It is a strategic meeting point where international collaboration takes shape, new technologies are introduced, and sector-wide challenges are addressed collectively. With Africa emerging as a key growth region for potato production and consumption, the 2026 edition in Kenya reflects a deliberate shift toward inclusivity and global balance. For industry professionals, the congress offers unparalleled opportunities: high-level plenary sessions, technical discussions, field visits, and direct engagement with stakeholders from across the entire potato value chain.

With registration now open, the countdown has begun for what promises to be a defining event for the global potato sector.

You may also be interested in:

International Day of Potato puts Africa centre stage

The International Day of Potato continues to grow into a global platform promoting the potato as a strategic crop for food security, climate resilience and economic development. On 30 May, the third edition of the United Nations-recognized International Day of Potato (IDP) will take place, coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United…

UNECE Seed Potato Standard at the center of World Potato Congress webinar

Reliable access to high quality seed potatoes is fundamental to the productivity and resilience of the global potato sector. To highlight recent developments in this area, the World Potato Congress (WPC) hosted an international webinar on March 16 focusing on the revised UNECE Seed Potato Standard (S-1). The online panel discussion brought together experts from…

Crop rotation key to control wireworms

On Wednesday December 10-th 2025, the World Potato Congress will once again organise an online session for potato professionals. This time, the focus is on a persistent and globally growing challenge: wireworms and the impact these larvae have on potato cultivation.

World Potato Congress 2026 officially launched in Kenya: a historic first for Sub-Saharan Africa

For the first time in its over thirty-year history, the World Potato Congress (WPC) will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, marking a major milestone for the global potato sector and the African continent. The 13th edition of the Congress is set to take place from October 26 to 30, 2026, in the scenic town of…