Ghana has secured the honour of hosting the 2026 African Cashew Alliance (ACA) Annual Cashew Conference and Expo, a landmark event expected to place the country’s thriving cashew sector firmly in the global spotlight.
The prestigious gathering will bring together more than 600 participants from over 30 countries, making it one of the largest agricultural business events on the continent.
Scheduled to take place from September 15 to September 18, 2026, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, the conference will convene producers, processors, exporters, traders, policymakers, researchers, financial institutions, development partners and international buyers to chart the future of Africa’s rapidly expanding cashew industry.
Held under the theme, “Sustainable Cashew Supply through Policy, Investment and Partnership,” the event is expected to unlock fresh investment opportunities while strengthening Ghana’s position as one of Africa’s leading cashew producing nations.
Ghana Returns as Host After 13 Years
The 2026 conference marks the second time Ghana has been selected to host the ACA Annual Cashew Conference, having successfully organised the event in 2013. The return of the conference signals growing international confidence in Ghana’s expanding cashew industry and its efforts to promote value addition, sustainable production and private sector investment.
The event is being organised by the African Cashew Alliance in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Tree Crops Development Authority. It also enjoys support from the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, and the GIZ MOVE Project.
Industry observers believe the conference presents Ghana with another opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to becoming a preferred destination for agricultural investment and agro processing across Africa.
Investment Opportunities Take Centre Stage
President of the ACA Board of Directors, Ibrahim Sanfo, described Ghana’s selection as a significant milestone for the country’s agricultural sector.
According to him, the conference offers an exceptional platform to showcase Ghana’s remarkable progress in the cashew value chain while attracting strategic investors from around the world.
“The Conference in Ghana presents a unique opportunity to showcase the significant progress made in the country’s cashew sector, attract new investments, promote local processing and value addition, while reinforcing Ghana’s leadership role in Africa’s cashew industry.”
Ibrahim Sanfo
His remarks reflect growing optimism that the conference will accelerate investments into processing facilities, logistics, technology adoption and export development, ultimately creating jobs and boosting incomes for thousands of farmers and businesses.
Global Industry Leaders to Shape Cashew’s Future
The conference comes at a critical moment for the international cashew industry as stakeholders seek practical solutions to strengthen supply chains and improve long term sustainability.
Participants will deliberate on a broad range of strategic issues affecting the industry, including sustainable production practices, financing mechanisms, policy reforms, investment opportunities, food safety standards, market developments, climate resilience and value addition.
Experts are also expected to examine how stronger collaboration between governments, private investors and development partners can help transform Africa from a major exporter of raw cashew nuts into a leading processor of finished cashew products.
The discussions are likely to influence future policies and investment decisions across the continent.
Business Partnerships Expected to Flourish
One of the biggest attractions of the conference will be the extensive Business to Business engagement sessions designed to connect investors, exporters, processors and buyers from around the world.
These networking opportunities are expected to result in new commercial partnerships, investment agreements and export deals that could significantly benefit Ghanaian businesses operating within the cashew value chain.
The accompanying ACA Expo will further provide exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase innovative technologies, processing equipment, value added products and business services that are transforming the global cashew industry.
The exhibition is expected to attract considerable attention from international buyers searching for reliable suppliers and strategic business partners across Africa.
Boost for Ghana’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda
Beyond the immediate business opportunities, hosting the conference aligns with Ghana’s broader ambition of increasing local processing, reducing raw commodity exports and expanding agro industrial development.
The country’s cashew sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with increasing investments in plantations, processing facilities and export infrastructure. Industry stakeholders believe the conference will further stimulate policy reforms and encourage additional investment into the sector.
The event also provides an opportunity for Ghana to showcase its progress in sustainable agriculture, climate smart farming and inclusive value chain development while highlighting the important contribution of tree crops to economic diversification.
Registration Officially Opens
Registration for conference participation, exhibitions and Business to Business meetings is already open, with the African Cashew Alliance inviting stakeholders from Ghana, across Africa and around the world to be part of the flagship event.
Established in 2006, the African Cashew Alliance serves as the leading association promoting a globally competitive African cashew industry. The organisation brings together stakeholders across the entire value chain, including producers, processors, traders, exporters and international buyers.
As anticipation builds toward September 2026, expectations are high that Ghana’s hosting of the conference will not only strengthen its leadership in Africa’s cashew industry but also unlock fresh investment, create employment opportunities and position the country as a leading hub for value added agricultural exports.
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