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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 Naivasha, Kenya, at the Sawela Lodges and Convention Centre, located on the shores of Lake Naivasha in the iconic Great Rift Valley.
This landmark event was officially launched during a recent high-level visit to Kenya by WPC President Dr. Peter VanderZaag, who praised the local organizers for their commitment and readiness. The Congress is being hosted by the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) and FreshCrop Limited, with strong support from leading agricultural institutions in Kenya and abroad. “The Kenya hosts and respective committees continue to unfold what will be a world-class, global networking opportunity for the potato industry in 2026,” said Dr. VanderZaag during the launch event at NPCK headquarters in Nairobi.
The 2026 Congress, themed “Global Potato Partnership for Enhanced Food Systems, Nutrition Security and Trade”, is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates from 60+ countries, including top voices in agriculture, science, policy, trade, and development. The event promises five days of intensive learning, networking, and collaboration, with a rich program featuring:
The Congress will spotlight key issues in the potato sector, Global Potato Production to Trade, Policy and Regulation. Potato Variety Development and Seed Production Systems. Disease and Pest Management, Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition. Potato Technologies, Innovations, Mechanization, Climate-Smart Approaches. and Big Data Utilization. Potato Contribution to Food and Nutrition Security: Inclusive Models for Women, Yout and MSMEs. Potato Partnership and Private Sector Investments
As part of the official launch of the 2026 Congress, Dr. Peter VanderZaag travelled to Kenya in mid-July to meet with the full WPC Kenya Planning Committee, co-led by NPCK CEO Wachira Kaguongo and FreshCrop CEO Chris Gasperi.
Held at NPCK headquarters, the meeting brought together heads of all major organizing workstreams—finance, programs, marketing, social events, and technical tours—to present progress updates and next steps. In his keynote address, Dr. VanderZaag expressed strong confidence in Kenya’s ability to deliver a world-class Congress and emphasized the historic significance of bringing the event to Africa for the first time.
A symbolic group photo was taken to commemorate the occasion, with Dr. VanderZaag joined by senior representatives from NPCK, FreshCrop, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Corteva Agriscience, and other strategic partners. The WPC President was also honored with traditional welcome gifts, a gesture of Kenyan hospitality and commitment. Following the committee meeting, the group conducted a site visit to Sawela Lodges and Convention Centre—the future home of WPC 2026—to inspect the venue and its facilities.
“This visit marks a turning point on the road to 2026,” said Chris Gasperi, Vice-Chair of the WPC Kenya Planning Committee. “With Dr. VanderZaag’s presence and the strength of our local and international partnerships, we are ready to deliver an impactful and inclusive Congress.” The visist received also local media coverage from Citizen TV, The Standard, Seeds of Gold, Hortinews, Kilimo News, and others.
The Congress enjoys strong backing from technical partners including:
At CIP’s regional office in Nairobi, Dr. VanderZaag met with CIP staff and key organizing partners to discuss collaborative contributions to the Congress. Stakeholders reaffirmed their shared vision for partnership and highlighted the importance of showcasing Africa’s innovations in seed systems, regenerative agriculture, and food systems transformation.
With preparations well underway and momentum building, the 13th World Potato Congress is shaping up to be a transformative moment for Kenya, Africa, and the global potato community. “We are honored to co-host this prestigious Congress and look forward to welcoming the world to Kenya,” said NPCK’s Wachira Kaguongo. “It’s time for Africa to take its rightful place in global food discussions.” Karibu Kenya – Welcome to WPC 2026!
For more information and updates, visit the official Congress website.
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