Explore the 2025 Agenda

• How are countries across Africa and the Middle East investing in and collaborating to develop resilient, climate-smart food supply chains and new regional trade corridors?
• In what ways are food security initiatives fostering international collaboration with innovators, academia and investors, and how are these efforts driving broader economic transformation?
• What role do regional food hubs and agri-innovation zones play in scaling local production, supporting smallholder farmers, and nurturing agri-entrepreneurs?
• As climate change accelerates arid and water-scarce conditions globally, how can the region’s expertise in desert agriculture and climate-resilient technologies contribute to global solutions?
• As global climate change pushes more regions toward arid and water-scare conditions, how can the MENSA region’s expertise in desert agriculture and climate-resilient farming position it to lead global solutions?

• What lessons can be drawn from these flagship projects and national strategies? Where do critical gaps remain, and how can models evolve to sustain momentum and long-term impact?
• How can the region as a hub for capital, foster breakthrough innovation and support long-term, inclusive economic growth? What role can local capital play in attracting international private investment and amplifying the region’s global competitiveness?
• What policy changes are needed to unlock innovation potential? What regulations are hindering progress and what incentives are needed to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness?

• How is the UAE Food Cluster driving bold targets for food security and sustainability? In what ways is the initiative creating new jobs, boosting GDP and reducing dependence on food imports?
• What partnerships are being fostered between government and private sectors to strengthen the food ecosystem?
• How is agri-tech innovation being advanced as part of this national strategy?
• What steps are being taken to position the UAE as a global benchmark for food security and sustainability? What milestones has the UAE Food Cluster achieved so far?
• What does the ambitious roadmap ahead look like for building a resilient and competitive food ecosystem?

• How are culinary leaders, restaurants and cultural influencers shaping consumer attitudes toward local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients?
• In what ways can high-profile advocates elevate underutilised crops like halophytes and hydroponic greens? What frameworks are needed to integrate these into mainstream supply chains?
• How are hospitality groups leveraging their procurement power to scale local sourcing, improve traceability, and support regional producers?
• How do platforms and marketplaces help connect fragmented growers with institutional buyers to streamline supply chains and expand market access?

• What are the most viable strategies for scaling greenhouse and high-tech horticulture infrastructure in the GCC? Which crops, beyond leafy greens, offer strong market potential and align with local climate and consumer demand?
• How can growers, technology providers, utilities, and government agencies best collaborate to accelerate innovation and scaling?
• What breakthrough technologies in dehumidification, thermoregulation, and energy recovery show the most promise? How can AI and IoT-driven smart controls optimize energy use and lower operational costs?
• What policy support, investment mechanisms, or regulatory frameworks are needed to scale region-specific CEA and reduce dependency on imports?

Explore a series of case studies showcasing how culturally and locally grounded technologies, strategies, and practices are transforming food production, distribution, and consumption across the Middle East.

The Power of Local Sourcing: A Proven Path to ESG Success in Middle Eastern Food Systems
Emma Banks, Vice President, F&B Strategy & Development Europe, Middle East and Africa, HILTON

Turning Waste into Value - Circular Innovation Shaping the Future of Food
Haythem Riahi, CEO and Founder, CIRCA BIOTECH

Increasing Resilience with Agroecology: Sustainable Practises and Novel Income Streams in UAE Mountain Farms
Andrew Gardner, Associate Director Biodiversity Conservation, EMIRATES NATURE-WWF

AgTech in emerging markets has entered a new phase. The first wave of VC-backed consumer and farmer-fintech models has faltered, giving way to a coming wave of climate-smart, B2B, and value-chain innovations. Drawing on insights from the State of AgTech 2025 Report, this session explores where capital is flowing, what models are proving resilient, and how the investable frontier is shifting across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

• As Africa emerges as a frontier for agri-fintech and digital marketplace innovation, how can these solutions connect smallholder farmers to finance, technology and high-value markets?
• Which agri-fintech models are proving most effective in improving smallholder access to finance, inputs and insurance?
• How are digital platforms and B2B marketplaces bridging the gap between smallholder producer and regional and global buyers?
• What partnerships between fin-techs, governments and development institutions are enabling scalable inclusive ag innovation?
• How can successful models from Africa inform resilient food supply strategies - especially in climate-vulnerable and import-reliant contexts?

Meet our selection of the most exciting agri-tech innovators across the industry. Each presenting company will pitch to a panel of investors, who will ask questions on their business model and dig deeper into their value proposition.

• Where are we seeing successful adoption of water technologies, and why? What lessons can be drawn from these examples to inform more integrated and regionally relevant strategies?
• Which irrigation technologies, such as drip, subsurface, or sensor-integrated systems are proving most viable and scalable for UAE farms, and where is the ROI strongest for the producers and investors?
• What role does treated wastewater, desalinated water, and circular water reuse play in agriculture—and how can businesses align with government goals for water sustainability?
• How are smart irrigation platforms integrating AI, satellite data, and IoT to reduce input costs and improve yields - and what barriers remain for adoption at scale?
• What partnerships, incentives, or policy shifts are needed to drive business adoption of water-efficient practices across open fields, greenhouses, and high-tech farms?

• How are biochar, no-till systems, and water-saving technologies transforming desert agriculture into a viable, investable climate solution, and what’s the commercial case for scaling them across the middle east, and north Africa?
• What are the most promising tech platforms and carbon monetisation models driving adoption of regenerative practices in the UAE and Morocco, and how can startups and agribusinesses participate?
• Which technologies, remote sensing, pyrolysis, soil analytics, IoT-enabled irrigation, are closing the data and efficiency gap in regenerative systems, and where is the white space for innovation?
• How can MENA-developed regenerative solutions be positioned for global export, especially to regions facing rising desertification like Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Europe, and Central Asia?

• How can agri-tech innovation, when integrated with blended finance models and strategic partnerships, reshape development paradigms and unlock inclusive, climate-resilient growth across emerging regions?
• How can private sector investment and international cooperation between the UAE, Morocco, and Sub-Saharan Africa help scale sustainable agri-tech solutions? What case studies highlight how innovation and community-led models move beyond profit to drive local development and resilience?
• By combining sovereign wealth, CSR, academia, and private capital, how can blended finance attract diverse stakeholders and VIPs to agri-tech ecosystems, while enabling global corporates to shape long-term impact on food, water, and energy security?
• As development shifts from donor-recipient frameworks to co-investment and co-creation, how can technology and ROI-driven models redefine development narratives and foster deeper engagement with local entrepreneurs, governments, and investors?

Keynote Address by the Ambassador of Morocco to the UAE, marking the official launch of cooperation activities for the ‘Roots Across the Wall Initiative’ – a flagship Morocco-UAE partnership for climate-resilient agriculture. This pioneering program leverages Agri-tech innovation and blended finance models to accelerate sustainable farming and food security across Africa

Hosted by:

At the end of a busy first day, unwind and connect with fellow industry leaders and innovators. Share ideas, and spark collaborations in a relaxed and festive atmosphere, enjoying a selection of authentic Moroccan refreshments hosted by the High Atlas Foundation.