Oct 12–18, 2026

GTF 2026 full PROGRAMME

7 days · 84 hours · 9 venues · 50+ sessions. The official minute-by-minute schedule for all seven days.

Click image below for GTF FULL PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

GTF EVENT FLOW / FULL PROGRAMME

Venue & Stage Key

Event Venues

Main Plenary Hall

Primary stage for keynotes, opening/closing ceremonies, and high-level speeches. Seats 2,000+.

Innovation Stage

Open performance stage on the exhibition floor for product launches, demos, and startup pitches.

Pitch Arena

Dedicated stage for investment pitch sessions. Panels of investors seated at front.

Exhibition Floor

Main trade floor — 2,500+ stands across all Country Pavilions and Sector Zones. Open daily 08:00–18:00.

Policy Summit Room

Ministerial and government-level closed-door sessions. Access by credential only.

Media Command Centre

Broadcast and press hub. All major announcements livestreamed from here.

Deal Room Suite

Private, appointment-only business meeting rooms. Operated by GTF Matchmaking Team.

Investor Pavilion

Dedicated space for VCs, DFIs, and sovereign wealth funds — the capital markets hub.

VIP Reception Hall

Exclusive space for Heads of State, Ministers, and Platinum Sponsors.

Daily Schedule

7-Day Programme

01

Monday, October 12, 2026

Opening Ceremony & High-Level Forum

Kigali, Rwanda

Day 1 sets the tone for the entire event — the most ceremonial day designed to signal to Africa and the world that a new era of trade has begun. Global leaders, Heads of State, and senior ministers formally open the exhibition floor.

▶ Exhibition Floor OPEN 08:00 ▶ Deal Room Suite OPEN ▶ Media Command Centre LIVE ▶ Networking Lounge OPEN

02

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Agriculture & Food Systems Summit

Kigali, Rwanda

Day 2 focuses entirely on Africa’s agricultural wealth. Commodity traders, food retailers, agri-tech firms, processors, and farmers converge. Goal: supply contracts signed, investment in farm infrastructure secured, and new food trade routes opened.

▶ Agriculture & Food Zone ACTIVE ▶ Deal Room Suite 08:30–17:30 ▶ Live Product Demo Corner ▶ Media Command Centre LIVE

03

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit

Kigali, Rwanda

Day 3 centres on Africa’s manufacturing potential — the engine of job creation and export growth. African factories meet global retailers, distributors, and industrial investors.

▶ Manufacturing Zone ACTIVE ▶ Deal Room Suite 08:30–17:30 ▶ Live Production Demos ▶ Media Command Centre LIVE

04

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Technology & Digital Economy Forum

Kigali, Rwanda

Day 4 is the most fast-paced day of GTF 2026. Africa’s tech ecosystem — fintech, e-commerce, agri-tech, healthtech, AI startups — gets their biggest stage yet. Includes the OFFICIAL LIVE LAUNCH of the Eki Place Digital Marketplace.

▶ Technology Zone ACTIVE ▶ Eki Place Digital Marketplace LAUNCH ▶ Pitch Arena 09:30–17:00 (12 startups) ▶ Deal Room Suite ALL DAY

05

Friday, October 16, 2026

Finance & Investment Summit (Diaspora Focus) Day

Kigali, Rwanda

Day 5 is the financial engine of GTF 2026. With a special focus on the African Diaspora — who send over $100 billion home annually — this day channels that energy into structured investment. $5B+ in MoUs targeted.

▶ Investor Pavilion OPEN ▶ Deal Room Suite ALL DAY ▶ Diaspora Investor Corner ▶ Capital Markets Showcase

06

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Services & Creative Industries Day

Kigali, Rwanda

Day 6 is the most vibrant and culturally rich day of GTF 2026. Africa’s creative economy — film, fashion, music, arts, tourism, and professional services — showcases Africa’s soft power alongside its economic power.

▶ Creative Economy Zone ACTIVE ▶ Tourism Pavilion OPEN ▶ Live Entertainment Stage from 12:00 ▶ Services Zone ACTIVE

07

Sunday, October 13, 2026

Services & Closing Summit & Kigali Policy Declaration

Kigali, Rwanda

Day 7 is the most consequential day of GTF 2026. All negotiations are formalised. The Kigali Declaration on Trade Facilitation is formally adopted by participating governments. Total economic value created across the week is announced to the world. GTF 2027 host city announced.

▶ Exhibition Floor OPEN until 15:00 ▶ Deal Room Suite 08:30–13:00 ▶ Media Command Centre ELEVATED PRESENCE ▶ VIP Private Signing from 09:00

Standing Operations

Daily Fixed Schedule — All 7 Days

Registration Desk Opens

07:30

Main Entrance Foyer — Accreditation, badge collection, and daily check-in for all delegates.

Exhibition Floor Opens

08:00

All 2,500+ stands across all Country Pavilions and Sector Zones active and open to all participants.

Deal Room Suite Opens

08:30

First appointment block begins. Private B2B/B2G scheduled meetings run throughout the day.

Exhibition Floor Closes

17:30–18:00

Sector-specific networking dinners and evening events follow each day’s close.

Global Trade Fair

GTF 2026 full PROGRAMME

7 days · 84 hours · 9 venues · 50+ sessions. The official minute-by-minute schedule for all seven days.

Click image below for GTF FULL PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Event Venues

Main Plenary Hall

Innovation Stage

Pitch Arena

Exhibition Floor

Policy Summit Room

Media Command Centre

Deal Room Suite

Investor Pavilion

VIP Reception Hall

7-Day Programme

01

Opening Ceremony & High-Level Forum

02

Agriculture & Food Systems Summit

03

Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit

04

Technology & Digital Economy Forum

05

Finance & Investment Summit (Diaspora Focus) Day

06

Services & Creative Industries Day

07

Services & Closing Summit & Kigali Policy Declaration

Daily Fixed Schedule — All 7 Days

Registration Desk Opens

07:30

Exhibition Floor Opens

08:00

Deal Room Suite Opens

08:30

Exhibition Floor Closes

17:30–18:00

SECURE YOUR DELEGATE PASS

GTF 2026

Organized by Eki Global Holdings Ltd.