Kenya is set to host the 13th World Potato Congress(WPC) scheduled to take place from the 26th to 30th October 2026 at Sawela Lodges and Convention Centre in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

This is the first time that the World Potato Congress will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, a momentus milestone for the continent and the global potato community, that reflects the growing international recognition of Kenya’s role in agricultural innovation and food security.

Nakuru County Chief Officer for Agriculture Ms. Joyce Ncece indicated that the event is expected to bring together over 1,000 delegates from more than 60 countries, including leading voices in agriculture, science, policy, investment and development.

Ms Ncece noted that hosting the congress carries immense national and regional significance, positioning Kenya as the primary hub for tropicalized seed innovation, processing technologies and climate-resilient root-crop research across Africa.

She outlined that for local growers in Nakuru County and across the country, the congress serves as a direct bridge to advanced agronomic solutions, creating direct access to certified clean seed networks, mechanized planting and harvesting technologies and structured off-take markets.

The Chief Officer said that the congress will focus on advancing the role of potatoes in global food systems, climate-smart agriculture, and inclusive economic growth.

Speaking at the county headquarters in Nakuru when she met a delegation from the World Potato Congress (WPC) and officials of the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) to review preparedness for the event, the chief officer observed that the congress positions Nakuru at the forefront of global agricultural diplomacy, underscoring its strategic importance as a leading producer and seed multiplication center in East Africa.

Ms Ncece said that the County Government, in collaboration with the national government, NPCK, and international research institutions, is leveraging the congress to champion strategic investments in climate-smart production, soil health restoration, certified potato seed systems and local value addition.

She affirmed the devolved unit’s commitment to the event, emphasizing Nakuru’s position as a premier agricultural hub and the leading potato producer in the country with a 15 percent share of the national production.

She added that the event will offer a platform to showcase Nakuru’s agribusiness innovations and secure international investment for the local economy as well as benefiting local farmers with knowledge transfer.

The Chief Officer said Governor Susan Kihika’s administration is committed to strengthening access to certified seed, promoting climate-resilient varieties, improving extension services and supporting farmers to access structured markets, cooperatives and processing opportunities.

Prolonged dry spells and erratic weather patterns continue to affect agricultural output across Nakuru’s major growing zones, underscoring the urgent need for expanded irrigation, rainwater harvesting, timely weather intelligence and climate-smart agronomy.

The event will feature plenary sessions, technical talks, exhibitions, field visits and innovation showcases.

Main topics to be discussed include Global potato production and trade, policy and regulation, potato variety development and seed production systems.

Other topics that will be addressed are disease and pest management, post-harvest management and value addition, potato technologies, innovations, mechanization, climate-smart approaches and big data utilization.

Additionally, potato contribution to food and nutrition security: inclusive models for women, youth and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as potato partnership and private sector investments will be discussed.

The event had previously been scheduled to take place in Gdansk, Poland in June of 2026.

“Hosting a World Potato Congress comes with many important factors to be considered,” stated Ms Ncece “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 Chief Officer pointed out that empowering local farmers’ organizations, enhancing post-harvest handling infrastructure, and expanding processing capacity will significantly reduce post-harvest losses, generate rural employment and maximize income for smallholders.

Stakeholders attending the Kenya Potato Industry Pre-World Potato Congress Workshop held in Nakuru noted that the Congress is expected to result in actionable commitments and a coordinated roadmap under the Kenya Potato Industry Declaration and Investment Plan 2026–2030 to secure long-term growth for the sector.

The upcoming Kenya Potato Industry Declaration and Investment Plan 2026–2030 will provide a policy framework to align public and private investments towards a more productive, competitive and sustainable potato industry.

The World Potato Congress aims to contribute to ending extreme poverty and improving food security around the globe. By hosting this event in Kenya, the Congress 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.

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

“With the engagement of the 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,” noted Wachira Kaguongo, WPC international advisor and CEO of the National Potato Council of Kenya.

Potato farming remains a vital driver of food security, income and employment in Kenya, supporting smallholder families, traders, transporters and corporate processors across the agricultural landscape.

Nakuru stands out as one of Kenya’s leading potato-producing counties and plays a strategic national role in seed multiplication.

Development partners, including the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) through its Innovating Horticulture in Eastern Africa (IHEA) Initiative, continue to support horticultural value chains by driving sustainable production, private sector participation and market integration.

Research institutions are equally generating evidence-based solutions, developing high-yielding varieties and advancing integrated pest management strategies to guide farmers and policymakers.

The World Potato Congress in Naivasha will feature expert panel discussions, global trade exhibitions and practical field demonstrations designed to foster knowledge exchange and unlock new trade pathways.

The Nakuru County administration reaffirmed that hosting the international assembly marks a major milestone for Nakuru, underscoring its commitment to working with global and local actors to build a resilient, commercialized potato value chain.

by Jane Ngugi and Caroline Nyakio