News

The World Potato Congress Inc. and the official hosts for the 2026 World Potato Congress – the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) and FreshCrop Limited – are excited to officially launch the logistics around the 13th World Potato Congress (WPC 2026).

Set to take place from the 26th to 30th October 2026 in Naivasha, Kenya, it will be the first time in its over thirty year history that the World Potato Congress will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, marking a milestone moment for the continent and the global potato community.
Scenic Venues:

Venue: The venue for WPC 2026 will be the scenic Sawela Lodges and Convention Centre, located on the shores of Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s iconic Great Rift Valley. This landmark edition is expected to bring together over 1,000 delegates from more than 60 countries, including leading voices in agriculture, science, policy, investment, and development.

Congress Theme:

Global Potato Partnership for Enhanced Food Systems, Nutrition Security and Trade

The Kenya Congress will focus on advancing the role of potatoes in global food systems, climate-smart agriculture, and inclusive economic growth. Delegates can look forward to five days of learning, networking, and collaboration, with a rich program featuring plenary sessions, technical talks, exhibitions, field visits, and innovation showcases.

Main Topics to Include:

• Global Potato Production and 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, Youth and MSMEs.
• Potato Partnership and Private Sector Investments

 

Congress Highlights:

WPC Kenya 2026: A Landmark Edition

• Participation from 60+ countries
• Over 1,000 delegates expected
• A spotlight on Africa’s emerging potato potential
• 5 days of high-impact engagement and learning

Additional activities to include partner-program activities and Post-Congress events with industry field tours, and local scenic and safari tour options.

2026 World Potato Congress Hosts:

National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) is a multi-stakeholder, non-governmental and public-private partnership organization aiming towards transforming the industry into a more competitive, self-regulating, and sustainable industry. The council draws its membership from different actors including farmers, researchers, seed producers, processors, traders, input suppliers, financial and insurance providers, regulatory agencies, government institutions, and development partners.

FreshCrop Ltd. is a producer of certified potato seed and ware potatoes in Kenya, producing over 4,000 tons of certified seed & 4,000 tons of ware annually, with a network of 15,000+ SHFs spread across 9 potato growing zones. FreshCrop also hosts 8,000 farmers in their annual farmer field day which displays the latest technologies in the potato industry, linkages to 50+ industry stakeholders, and training on best potato production practices through demo sites that compare available products in Kenya planted with Fresh Crop certified potato seeds. In 2023, FreshCrop was awarded the Presidential National Farmers Award for a fully commercialized large-scale farm in Kenya. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwS0p07LibQ).

Information on NPCK and FreshCrop can be found here.

 

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Technical and Logistical Supporting Organizations

The official hosts of the 2026 Congress are grateful for the technical and logistical support in organizing this prestigious event. This includes:

 

Kenya Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA):

The Kenya 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). “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).

 

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.

 

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO):

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization has officially joined the organizing team for the upcoming 13th World Potato Congress. KALRO is an anchor state corporation in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development with a significant role in the potato sector as principal advisor of the government through the Cabinet Secretary on potato crop improvement. KALRO will provide expertise to support the Congress and the technical agenda, including contributions to knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and evidence-based policy dialogue. The organization’s vast experience in potato research and development will help shape discussions around productivity, resilience, and market systems for the potato sector in Africa and beyond.

“We are thrilled to welcome KALRO, our long-time partner in the industry, to the organizing team of WPC Kenya 2026,” said Wachira Kaguongo, WPC International Advisor and CEO of the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK). “Their participation brings strong research leadership and a deep understanding of the potato sector, especially in areas of seed systems, pest and disease management, and climate-smart technologies.”

“As a national organization with the sole mandate for agricultural research in Kenya, KALRO has endeavored to maximize uptake of its innovations for impact on national agricultural production and food security efforts” says Dr. Eliud K. Kireger, KALRO Director General. He further adds “as leader in the potato sector through our variety development and seed systems we are delighted to work alongside NPCK, Freshcrop, AFA and CIP in bringing the first World Potato Congress to Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa”

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Karibu Kenya!
A Warm Welcome to the World Potato Congress 2026

 

“We are pleased to be launching these logistics for the Congress”, says WPC President, Peter VanderZaag. “The Kenya hosts and respective committees continue to unfold what will be a world class, global networking opportunity for the potato industry in Kenya for 2026”.

For more information, visit the official Congress website: www.wpc2026kenya.com