Global exhibition organizer Informa Markets, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has announced the launch of the first-ever FoodGuard Summit in Egypt. The summit will run from June 2 to 4, 2026, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, as part of the 14th edition of Fi Africa and ProPak MENA, the region’s main event for food manufacturing, ingredients, and packaging.
Quick Facts
- What: Inaugural FoodGuard Summit
- Where: Cairo, Egypt
- When: June 2-4, 2026
- Goal: To strengthen the regional food security ecosystem
Strong Government Backing Signals National Priority
The initiative has secured significant government support, with patronage from four Egyptian ministries: the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. This backing highlights a national commitment to developing the food manufacturing sector and improving supply chain efficiency.
Further underscoring this support, Dr. Sharif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, and H.E Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, are scheduled to deliver keynote addresses at the summit. Their participation brings high-level government focus to the event, which aims to position Egypt as a central hub for food manufacturing and exports.
Turning Challenges into Investment Opportunities
The FoodGuard Summit is designed to serve as a strategic platform connecting decision-makers, manufacturers, investors, and government bodies. The core objective is to reframe food security challenges as viable investment opportunities and foster partnerships that can deliver tangible results.
The summit will bring together over 250 leaders and experts to discuss key issues including the reduction of food waste, innovation in supply chains, and the private sector’s role in financing the food industry. Building regional partnerships to bolster food security across Egypt and participating nations is also a central theme.
Mostafa Khalil, Group Director at Informa Markets, commented, “We are committed to organizing international and regional events that contribute to the exchange of expertise and knowledge among specialists across different sectors, while providing an effective platform to foster productive partnerships between the public and private sectors and international organizations.”
He added, “Fi Africa and ProPak MENA 2026, together with the inaugural FoodGuard Summit, represent a unique opportunity to bring together government institutions and private sector companies concerned with the food industries and food security sectors.”
A Regional Hub for Food Sector Development
The summit is part of the larger Fi Africa and ProPak MENA 2026 exhibitions, which are expected to gather more than 400 exhibitors and over 16,000 industry specialists. This makes it one of the largest specialized events in the Middle East and Africa for the food and beverage sector.
Key international and regional partners include the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), the International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU), the Food Safety System Certification Foundation (FSSC), and the Arab Federation for Food Industries (AFFI), among others.
“Cooperation among countries is a fundamental pillar for developing the food industries sector,” stated Gunther Beger, Managing Director at the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation. “Equally important is the integration of efforts among relevant stakeholders to reduce food waste and work collectively to strengthen food security for a larger number of people by developing efficient, sustainable food systems.”
About Informa Markets
Informa Markets connects people and markets through digital solutions, specialized content, trade exhibitions, hybrid events, and market intelligence, helping businesses discover opportunities, innovate, and grow. As a global leader in events and B2B services, Informa Markets operates in more than 30 countries, bringing together industries and enabling meaningful connections across sectors including healthcare, food, manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure.
Source: Zawya
