News

Old plans made new…

Kenya to host the 13th World Potato Congress – October/November 2026

It is with great excitement, and much anticipation that the World Potato Congress Inc. announces Kenya will be hosting the 2026 World Potato Congress! This location change comes following an agreement reached between the Polish Potato Federation (PPF) and WPC to cancel the event scheduled for Gdansk, Poland in June of 2026.

In late March, the WPC Board of Directors reviewed the formal request led by the National Potato Council (NPCK) of Kenya to have their initial bid reconsidered for a future Congress. “Initially, the 2026 Congress had been awarded to Kenya.” says President VanderZaag “And it had been with great regret to announce in May of 2024 that the WPC would need to step away to allow for Kenya to further develop contractual relationships in country”, says President Peter VanderZaag.

“Hosting a World Potato Congress comes with many important factors to be considered. We are excited that the Kenya host committee was immediate and proactive in addressing the key areas to ensure a global success story for their country.” The World Potato Congress aims to contribute to ending extreme poverty and improving food security around the globe. By hosting this event in Kenya, we will spotlight the importance of potatoes as a vital food crop and its potential to drive inclusive economic growth, particularly for youth and women in the sector.”

Developing Global Potato Partnerships for Enhanced Food Systems, Food Security and International Trade.

The key organizers of this event will include National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) representing the potato industry, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) representing government, FreshCrop Limited representing the private sector with technical and organizational support from the International Potato Center (CIP). 

“With the engagement of global potato industry and local potato organizations, backed by corporate sponsors, we have been able to obtain the logistical resources needed to pull off the event at the caliber expected by the WPC and its partners.” says Wachira Kaguongo, WPC International Advisor and CEO of the National Potato Council of Kenya.

 

National Potato Council of Kenya

The National Potato Council of Kenya, (https://npck.org/) is a Public-Private partnership organization formed by multi-stakeholders in the potato industry. The Council’s main mandate is to help organize and coordinate all stakeholders’ activities along the potato value chain with the aim of transforming the subsector into a robust, competitive, and self-regulated industry. The Potato Council’s organizational structure enables it to draw synergies from a wide membership representing institutions, organizations and associations from public and private sectors that include seed potato producers, ware potato farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives and unions, traders, processors and other market outlets, extension, research, academia, input providers, financial institutions, insurance companies, development partners, national and county governments and Affiliates organizations.

 

Agriculture and Food Authority

Kenya’s hosting of the 2026 World Potato Congress marks a historic first for Sub-Saharan Africa, a proud moment for our nation and a testament to our growing leadership in agricultural innovation, says Dr. Bruno Linyiru, the Director General, Agricultural and Food Authority (AFA).
Backed by the Government through Agriculture and Food Authority, this milestone reflects years of dedicated progress-launch of the National Potato Policy (2019), Crops (Irish Potato) Regulations, 2019 and National Potato Strategy (2021–2025). From improved seed systems to farmer empowerment and value addition, Kenya is positioning itself as a global leader in potato production and food security.

More than just a crop, potato is a second staple crop in Kenya, a pillar of resilience, and a symbol of innovation and global connection. As the world turns its eyes to Kenya in 2026, the Congress promises to be a celebration of progress, a hub of partnerships, and a catalyst for innovation in sustainable agriculture.

“Get ready to grow ideas, plant partnerships, and harvest a better future — in Kenya! Welcome, and let the event begin!” Dr. Linyiryu concluded.

Agriculture and Food Authority is a State Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Its mandate is to develop, promote and regulate scheduled crops (Potato included) as per the Crops Act, 2013. (https://www.afa.go.ke)

 

FreshCrop Ltd.

Chris Gasperi, Founder & Managing Director of FreshCrop Ltd. and members of his company have attended past World Potato Congress events and are excited to bring the event to Kenya. In 2023, FreshCrop was awarded the Presidential National Farmers Award for a fully commercialized large-scale farm in Kenya. FreshCrop continues to impact the lives of as many as 15,000 Smallholder Farms in Kenya through their hubsite delivery model for farmers allowing access to certified seeds, the agrochemical and fertilizer inputs, mechanization services, links to financing, and links to markets. They also provide a training model to support their network (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwS0p07LibQ).

“Inspired by the WPC’s successful post-Congress field days, we have developed a similar model for producers to attend our field days.” says Chris. In 2024, we hosted our 3rd Annual Farmers Field Day with attendance from 8,000 farmers, over the course of two days, in a potato field day unlike any other event of its kind representing 50 industry players in the potato value chain and farmers from 9 counties in Kenya and Tanzania. At the event, 26 demo plots were unveiled that compared various fertilizer and agrochemical programs. Mechanization companies also demonstrated their equipment while financial institutions, processors, and regulatory bodies provided training stations at their tents. We look forward to inviting the world to attend a similar event as part of the post-Congress tours in November 2026.”

 

International Potato Centre (CIP):

Over the past 50 years, CIP has been a research hub for developing, testing and deploying technologies and tools that have improved yields, farm incomes and enhanced health benefits for millions of farmers and beneficiaries, processors, traders and communities engaged along the potato value chain in Africa.

“For CIP, the Congress represents a vital opportunity not only to show case the science-based solutions but also engage with the global and local industry leaders as we strengthen collaboration. This will mark our second participation in hosting WPC- having hosted the 10th WPC in Cusco, Peru in May 2018, which was the first WPC to be held in Latin America and now the first WPC to be held in Africa”, said Dr Joyce Maru, the Regional Director for CIP Africa.

The target dates for the 2026 Congress are currently between late October to mid-November 2026. “By holding this event during this time period, we are not conflicting with peak tourism in Kenya, providing an opportunity for reduced hotel room rates and tour packages for delegates.” says Wachira Kaguongo. “While it can be a challenge to find a date that serves all regions of the globe, these proposed dates for the Congress sit outside the key potato cropping windows in North America and Europe.”

The Congress will be supported by Keynote Professional Conference Organizers (Keynote PCO), who successfully managed the Congress in Dublin in 2022. With their proven track record in delivering large-scale international events, Keynote PCO will play a key role in ensuring the 2026 Congress in Kenya is a memorable, high-impact global gathering.

“Congress dates, venue, sponsorship prospectus, registration details, etc. are expected to become available by August of 2025 ”, says representatives from Keynote. Kenya will be the first Sub-Saharan Africa country to host the World Potato Congress, marking a historic moment for the global potato community.

 

What to Expect at the 2026 World Potato Congress:

The Congress is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates from around the world, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking and collaboration among industry experts, researchers, and stakeholders. Attendees can look forward to pre-conference thematic workshops, networking receptions, and post-Congress technical tours to potato production and processing operations. The Congress will feature plenary sessions and workshops focused on sustainable agriculture, food security, and innovative practices to enhance the potato value chain.

Kenya is a leader in potato research and development in East Africa and is known for its vibrant potato industry, which plays a critical role in food security, economic development, and poverty alleviation. Kenya’s renowned hospitality and rich cultural diversity will provide a warm welcome to all delegates, ensuring meaningful connections and lasting friendships.

 

Stay tuned for further details on registration and program specifics!