VNU Europe (Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs), organizer of VIV Worldwide, will launch VIV Africa in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, creating an annual, alternating hub for the continent’s animal protein industry: Kigali, Rwanda in 2026 (East Africa) and Abidjan in 2027 (West Africa). The West Africa debut will take place 6–7 October 2027 at the Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan / Abidjan Exhibition Centre, preceded by a Leadership Conference on 5 October.
Why Abidjan—and why now
The new format responds to rising demand for a consistent meeting point that covers the full value chain from feed to food, with a strong spotlight on poultry, as well as aquaculture, swine, and dairy. West Africa’s rapid population growth, expanding cold-chain and feed capacity, and increasing private investment make Abidjan a strategic gateway. As Jeroen van Hooff, CEO & President of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, put it, bringing VIV to Côte d’Ivoire is a “natural step,” improving access to decision-makers and markets on both sides of the continent.
Local sectors line up behind the show
Key Ivorian and regional associations have endorsed the move. IPRAVI (poultry) calls Abidjan an ideal launchpad for West Africa’s dynamic broiler and layer segments, committing to close collaboration with organizers. INTERPORCI (pig) sees the event as a lever to connect producers, processors, researchers, and institutions—showcasing local expertise and scalable, sustainable solutions. INTERAQUA (aquaculture) highlights the show’s value for regional knowledge exchange and technology transfer across warm-water species.
A venue built for scale and connectivity
Abidjan’s Exhibition Centre offers modern halls, logistics capacity linked to Port of Abidjan, robust hotel inventory, and flight connections into ECOWAS markets—practical advantages for exhibitors moving equipment, day-old chicks, genetics, or lab and vaccination technologies. These strengths position the event to serve both regional integrators and international suppliers targeting West African growth.
What poultry professionals can expect
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Targeted exhibition & seminars: Practical content on feed costs and formulations, breeder and hatchery efficiency, health and vaccination strategies, cold-chain expansion, processing yields, and trade compliance.
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Leadership Conference (5 October): One day focused on market outlooks, biosecurity and surveillance, live-bird market modernization, and financing for capacity upgrades.
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Networking & matchmaking: Structured meetings connecting producers, processors, equipment makers, feed manufacturers, vets, researchers, and regulators to accelerate project pipelines.
Organizers’ outlook
Project Manager Natalie Taylor underscores VIV’s aim to “bring shows to where stakeholders want to grow,” noting strong interest from companies planning West African expansions. The alternating Kigali–Abidjan cadence is designed to lower market-entry friction, support knowledge transfer, and help align sustainability and food-security goals with bankable investment.
Key dates and details
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Leadership Conference: 5 October 2027
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VIV Africa – Abidjan: 6–7 October 2027
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Venue: Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan / Abidjan Exhibition Centre
For participation and program updates, contact the organizers at natalie@vnueurope.com or visit www.vivafrica.nl.
