The city of Omaha, Nebraska, hosted the International Agribusiness and Manufacturing Fair 2026 (IAM-Fair) on September 3-4, 2026. This event, now in its second edition, convened diplomats, public officials, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and agricultural professionals. The fair was organized by Burkinabè entrepreneurs Julien Koala, John Ouédraogo, and Dr. Moussa Guira. The theme for this year's event was "Food Security and Global Challenges: Building Resilient Partnerships Through Trade and Innovation."
The IAM-Fair brought together high-profile attendees, including Burkina Faso's ambassador to the United States, Kassoum Coulibaly, Togo's ambassador to the United States, Frédéric Hegbe, Omaha's mayor, John J. Ewing Jr., and Nebraska's Secretary of State, Robert Evnen. Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Timbuktu and the African Chamber of Commerce of Nebraska also participated. The event featured panel discussions, experience-sharing sessions, and presentations showcasing the agricultural potential of Burkina Faso, Togo, and Africa.
Two panels took place on the first day, focusing on optimizing agricultural value chains and bridging the gap between research, public policies, and industry. The panels examined ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in the agricultural sector. The discussions highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing climate resilience, labor needs, and agricultural productivity. These sessions aimed to foster collaboration between governments, businesses, researchers, and investors.
The Burkinabè delegation, led by Dr. Tiobaté Bérenger Somé, presented the country's economic and agricultural potential, priorities in food security, and investment opportunities in agriculture, pastoralism, fisheries, and agro-industry. The presentation emphasized the potential for intensive agriculture, modernization of production means, and development of agricultural and agro-industrial hubs. The delegation also highlighted opportunities for processing and exporting high-potential products like cashews, sesame, cotton, and mangoes.
The second day of the event involved a site visit to the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, allowing delegations to explore the local agricultural ecosystem and engage with actors in the sector. This practical immersion complemented the previous day's discussions on production, innovation, commercialization, and cooperation opportunities. The visit demonstrated the potential for knowledge sharing and collaboration between African and American stakeholders.
The 2026 IAM-Fair underscored the complementarity of African agricultural potential, American scientific and technological capacities, and investment opportunities between the two continents. The event aimed to move beyond experience sharing and facilitate concrete partnerships between governments, businesses, researchers, universities, producers, and investors. The fair's outcomes are expected to contribute to more productive, resilient, and value-creating agriculture.
The IAM-Fair initiative has demonstrated its relevance in just two editions, and its impact is expected to grow in the coming years. By fostering partnerships and knowledge sharing, the event aims to address pressing challenges in food security, innovation, and manufacturing. The collaboration between Burkinabè entrepreneurs and American stakeholders serves as a model for future initiatives.
Key points
- The IAM-Fair 2026 event successfully brought together African and American stakeholders to discuss food security, innovation, and manufacturing, highlighting the potential for partnerships and knowledge sharing.
- The event featured panel discussions, experience-sharing sessions, and presentations showcasing the agricultural potential of Burkina Faso, Togo, and Africa.
- The 2026 IAM-Fair underscored the complementarity of African agricultural potential, American scientific and technological capacities, and investment opportunities between the two continents.
