Second African Biotrade Festival was successfully achieved, a Showcase of Africa’s Biodiversity Economy and Innovation

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the African Biotrade Festival (ABF) in collaboration with the Organic & Natural Products Expo, returned for its second year at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, 18-20 September 2025, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers, and communities to unlock opportunities in Africa’s growing biodiversity economy.

This second edition successfully launched BioPANZA and its five clusters covering policy and legislation, finance, innovation, sustainable supply and market access.

BioPANZA is a collaboration between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). It is mandated challenges and coordination between all stakeholders in the biotrade sector, to address gaps or developmental challenges, and enable South African value-added indigenous ingredients to be promoted and exported to global markets.

“The format of the African Biotrade Festival gives a deeper understanding of why we’re here and how the government can support such initiatives. I appreciate the collaborative efforts of the BioPANZA as it showcases that government departments can work together for the benefit of communities. Enabling economic emancipation, making this a reality for the citizens of the country,” said Narend Singh Deputy Minister: Department of Foresty, Fisheries and Environment in his keynote address at the opening ceremony.

"This second edition will further amplify African voices, businesses, and partnerships that are driving sustainable impact," said Adrie El Mohamadi Component Manager for the GIZ ABS Compliant Biotrade in South(ern) Africa (ABioSA)and BioInnovation Africa – South Africa (BIA).

The festival provided a unique space for stakeholders across the value chain to connect, collaborate, and co-create solutions that will shape the future of Africa’s biodiversity economy.

The Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement for the Honeybush Sector was also signed. Hailed as a framework to foster collaboration between the government, private sector and communities ensuring that the Traditional Knowledge Holders are recognised as partners in the biotrade value chains.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the National Khoi and San Council (NKC) and the San Council of South Africa (SCSA), the ambassadors of Germany and Switzerland to South Africa, H.E Mirko Manzoni Swiss Ambassador and H.E. Andreas Peschke, German Ambassador to South Africa as well as South African government delegates including Flora Mokgohlo, Deputy Director General: Biodiversity and Conservation, DFFE.

“This is more than just benefit sharing but real collaboration that actively involves everyone,” said Leana Snyders, Director of the San Council of South Africa.

“South Africa is a priority country for Switzerland. Access Benefit Sharing (ABS) Compliant Biotrade in Southern Africa (ABioSA) is a concrete example supporting the biotrade sector in the country,” H.E Mirko Manzoni Swiss Ambassador.

“Collaboration is more important than ever. Biodiversity is a local opportunity. Local community must have access and benefit from opportunities created by Biotrade,” affirmed H.E. Andreas Peschke, German Ambassador to South Africa.

A species and market intelligence tool for public and private use supporting the SA biotrade sector was presented by Paul Oldham from One World Analytics and then first the private sector represented by Cyril Lombard and then the public sector represented by Neil Crouch from SANBI for the public sector ´both confirmed the utility of this tool. Some reflections on the users and costs of this tool rounded up this very interesting session.

A session on Regional biotrade collaboration (marula) - Growing Southern Africa’s Marula Industry through regional collaboration, sector development planning, geographical indication advancements, and market access with European Union (EU) Novel Food application. In this session, all focused on the Marula value chain, Dr. Charlene Musiza and Cyril Lombard reflected on the compilation of a regional geographical indication dossier according to EU regulations on Novel Food, which, as Amanda Nyingwa from the ABioSA project presented, is part of the sector development plan.

The #ABF2025 created an interactive, sensory-driven consumer experience to raise awareness of the Biotrade sector. It confirmed the value of biodiversity, the importance of sustainable sourcing, and the cultural richness of African natural ingredients.

Through education, hands-on participation, and sensory engagement, audiences left with both knowledge and a memorable encounter. Audiences took part in hourly competitions winning Biodiversity themed canvas giveaways.

The #WildFlowerChallenge ran by Ncha! was very engaging with children being able to participate and create art with wildflowers. Participants who came to the “Seeing with New Eyes” stall, explored what Ncah! unplugged has created — and how young people are stepping into biotrade.

A newly launched platform was announced at the #ABF2025. Find out more here - wildfloweryouth.com

With over 60 SMMEs exhibiting, the #ABF25 provided the perfect hub for connecting with innovative enterprises from across Southern Africa offering indigenous ingredients – from natural oils to nutrient rich powders serving the cosmetic, food and beverage, flavour and fragrance, and pharmaceutical sectors. Spanning diverse categories, such as exporting, export ready and emerging the SMMEs were supported with exhibition stands, including travel and accommodation from ABioSA, the dtic and DFFE.

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Contact:
Adrie El Mohamadi
Component Manager for the GIZ ABS Compliant Biotrade in South(ern) Africa (ABioSA)and BioInnovation Africa – South Africa (BIA)
@email