By Business Insider Reporter
Chalinze is poised to become the epicentre of Africa’s aa this June as industry leaders, investors, farmers, and policymakers converge for the Tri-Nations Livestock Expo 2026 – an ambitious platform designed to deepen regional trade, accelerate innovation, and elevate livestock quality across the continent.
Announcing the event last month, a Director and Expo Committee Chairman Naweed Mulla framed this year’s gathering not as a routine exhibition but as “a regional movement” aimed at connecting African markets through livestock, including a premier livestock auction that will showcase top-quality animals to buyers across the continent.
Scheduled for June 19–21 at Mbogo Ranches in Chalinze, Coast Region, the Expo builds on the momentum of the 2025 edition, returning with a sharpened focus on cross-border commerce, improved genetics, and strategic collaboration among sectoral stakeholders from Tanzania, Kenya, and Namibia.
“Following the great success of 2025, Mbogo, together with our co-founders of this Expo – Real Time Agri from Namibia and Woragus Boran Stud from Kenya – returns this year with a clearer and stronger vision: Strengthening Regional Livestock Quality through Trade, Innovation and Strategic Collaboration,” Mr Mulla said.
He made those remarks mid this month when signing a three-year sponsorship with NMB Bank to finance the expo starting this year. Due to the new NMB Bank backing, the expo is expected to attract more foreign participants.
“Next year we will also have participants from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia.,” Mr Mulla revealed.
Major private-sector backing
Backing the Expo is a robust sponsorship lineup led by NMB Bank, which has committed TSh 300 million over the next three years to support the event. The sponsorship underscores the bank’s strategic focus on growing Tanzania’s livestock economy through financing, value addition, and partnerships.
Speaking at the sponsorship signing, NMB Head of Agri Retail Nsolo Mlozi highlighted the bank’s role in modernising the sector.
“By 2025, NMB Bank had extended over TSh 100 billion in livestock-related loans to support production, infrastructure development, and access to improved breeds,” he said. “This sponsorship agreement with Mbogo Ranches underscores our commitment to modernising the livestock sector and uplifting the livelihoods of Tanzanians who rely on its value chain.”
Dr. Fabian Madele, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, praised the collaboration, noting that it aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to accelerate reforms and transformation in the livestock sector.
“This partnership demonstrates how strategic collaborations can unlock the livestock sector’s untapped commercial potential,” he said.
The Ministry also welcomed NMB Bank’s increased commitment – from TSh 30 million in previous years to ThS 300 million – as a clear signal of rising private-sector confidence in livestock as a viable commercial frontier.
From showcase to serious trade platform
At the heart of the 2026 vision is the creation of a robust cross-border livestock trade ecosystem.
Organisers aim for Tanzanian breeders to transact directly with regional buyers while positioning Kenya and Namibia as key partners in genetics, technology transfer, and international auctions.
Mr. Mulla said the Expo is expected to convene superior genetics producers, commercial and smallholder farmers, financial institutions, technology developers, policymakers, and local and international investors – a mix designed to turn exhibition interest into real business deals.
Poultry sector gets major boost
In a notable expansion, the 2026 edition will fully integrate the poultry value chain, reflecting the subsector’s rapid growth across the region. Organisers plan to bring together broiler and layer farmers, day-old chick producers, feed manufacturers, animal health providers, processors, and distributors.
“By embedding poultry alongside cattle, sheep, and goats, the Expo positions itself as a comprehensive commercial livestock platform rather than a traditional cattle show,” Mr. Mulla said.
According to him, the expo will be driven by three core priorities:
Innovation and technology
Focus on superior genetics, modern production systems, and productivity-enhancing solutions to improve herd quality and farm profitability.
Regional trade
Through live auctions and cross-border business platforms, organisers aim to unlock new livestock markets across East and Southern Africa, enhancing price discovery and market access for Tanzanian breeders.
Strategic collaboration
The event deliberately brings together government, private sector players, financiers, and farmers to accelerate the build-out of a sustainable livestock ecosystem.
Organisers are keen to position the Expo as more than an exhibition. The three-day programme will feature technical seminars, international livestock auctions, investment forums, product showcases, and community-focused activities.
Spotlight on women in livestock
A major new highlight will be the Tri Nations Agriculture Woman of The Year Awards, recognising women driving change across the livestock value chain – from farming and trade to processing, technology, and cooperative leadership.
The competition is exclusively open to women residing in Kenya, Namibia, and Tanzania. The submission window will run from 15 April 2026 to 15 May 2026, and all entries must be received within this period to be considered.
Sector analysts view the initiative as timely, given the growing policy emphasis on gender inclusion in agricultural commercialisation.
High expectations for June
With preparations gathering pace, expectations are high that the Tri-Nations Livestock Expo 2026 could mark an inflection point in the region’s push to commercialise livestock. For Tanzania’s producers, the message is clear: the future of livestock is regional, technology-driven, and commercially focused. As Mr. Mulla put it; “We are building a modern, market-driven livestock industry that supports farmers, traders, processors, and financiers across the value chain, while positioning Tanzania as a hub for innovation, trade, and agribusiness growth in Africa.”
