The Kenya Sugar Board is convening the nation’s most significant gathering of sugar industry stakeholders at the Sugar Industry Innovation Symposium & Expo 2025 – TUSONGE Edition, scheduled for 2nd–4th December 2025 at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu. This three-day event represents a decisive moment for Kenya’s sugar sector as it transitions towards international competitiveness and sustainable growth.
TUSONGE: A Movement Beyond a Conference
The symposium’s theme, “Towards a Globally Competitive Sugar Industry,” anchors a broader movement encapsulated in the acronym TUSONGE – Together, Unlocking Sugar Optimisation for National Growth and Engagement. This framework signals a comprehensive approach to industry transformation, addressing every link in the sugar value chain from field to factory and farm to finance.
The 2024 edition demonstrated the sector’s hunger for innovation and collaboration, attracting 3,148 attendees and 28 exhibitors. Building on this momentum, the 2025 symposium expands its scope to engage an even wider spectrum of stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, outgrower institutions, industry leaders, youth innovators, researchers, policymakers, and manufacturers.
Six Strategic Thematic Areas Driving Industry Transformation
The symposium structures its agenda around six critical thematic areas that address the sector’s most pressing challenges:
- Revitalising Outgrower Institutions for Sustainable Farmer Support
Focusing on strengthening the backbone of sugarcane production through institutional reform and enhanced farmer support systems. - Lowering the Cost of Production through Precision Agriculture and Smart Farming Exploring technology-driven solutions that reduce operational costs whilst increasing yields and efficiency.
- Decentralising Access to Clean and High-Quality Planting Material Addressing the fundamental need for improved seed cane distribution systems that ensure farmers have access to disease-free, high-yielding varieties.
- Enhancing Efficiency in Sugarcane Transportation and Logistics Tackling the critical challenge of reducing post-harvest losses and transportation costs through improved logistics infrastructure.
- Consumer Trends, Product Diversification, and Market Competitiveness Examining market dynamics and opportunities for value addition that can position Kenyan sugar products competitively in both local and regional markets.
- Decarbonising and Green Innovations in Sugar Production Facilities Advancing sustainability through environmental responsibility and green technology adoption in production processes.
A Platform for Innovation and Strategic Partnerships
The symposium offers multiple engagement opportunities beyond traditional conference sessions. Attendees will participate in keynote presentations from industry leaders, hands-on workshops, innovation showcases, and competitive exhibitions featuring cutting-edge products and services. Networking forums have been strategically designed to facilitate meaningful connections and potential partnerships that extend beyond the event.
Who Should Attend
The symposium targets a diverse audience across the sugar value chain:
- Smallholder farmers and outgrower institutions seeking operational transformation
- Corporate stakeholders exploring strategic partnerships and investment opportunities
- Youth entrepreneurs and students interested in agribusiness innovation
- Agricultural researchers and technologists advancing smart farming solutions
- Policy experts driving regulatory reforms
- Manufacturers and marketers pursuing product diversification strategies
Registration and Further Information
Stakeholders interested in participating in this transformative event can register through the symposium’s official website at sugarinnovation.go.ke. The 2025 Concept Note and the comprehensive Symposium 2024 Report are also available for download on their website, providing detailed insights into the event’s structure and previous outcomes.
The Kenya Sugar Board operates its Innovation Hub at Sukari Plaza, Off Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, and can be reached at +254(0) 703 802 247 or via email at info@sugarinnovation.go.ke. The symposium represents not merely a conference but a decisive turning point for Kenya’s sugar industry as it charts a course towards global competitiveness and sustainable growth.