1st Edition
International Agribusiness and Manufacturing Fair USA - Africa
International Agribusiness and Manufacturing Fair USA-Africa
The International Agribusiness and Manufacturing Fair USA-Africa (IAMF) is a leading platform dedicated to strengthening agricultural and manufacturing ties between the United States and Africa. Committed to innovation and sustainability, IAMF unites industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and researchers to foster meaningful partnerships that drive global food security and economic growth.
The inaugural edition spotlights cutting-edge agricultural research and technologies for farmers, entrepreneurs, equipment suppliers, academics, international organizations and public officials.
Event Features
Innovative Exhibits: Explore groundbreaking technologies and methodologies from top agribusiness and manufacturing innovators.
Expert Panels & Keynotes: Learn from international leaders who shape resilient agricultural practices and forward-thinking policies.
Business Matchmaking: Participate in B2B meetings connecting African producers and manufacturers with U.S. buyers, investors, and distributors.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with decision-makers, investors, and experts eager to partner on future-forward projects.
Why Attend
Unparalleled Opportunities for Growth and Connection
Be part of a transformative experience that is reshaping the future of global agribusiness and manufacturing between the United States and Africa. Whether you’re a seasoned industry leader, a business, an entrepreneur, a manufacturer, an aspiring innovator, or a policy influencer, IAMF offers something for everyone.
For Agribusinesses and entrepreneurs:
Gain access to new markets, learn from successful models, and connect with buyers and investors from across the USA and Africa.
For Manufacturers:
Explore joint ventures, supply chain partnerships, and export opportunities while showcasing your solutions to a global audience
For Investors:
Discover emerging markets and scalable ventures across the agricultural value chain with measurable impact potential.
Government Officials & Policy Makers:
Engage in high-level discussions that shape inclusive and sustainable agricultural and industrial policies.
For Innovators & Researchers:
Showcase agri-tech solutions, present research findings, and collaborate on real-world challenges facing the food and manufacturing sectors.
Speakers
Hear from an esteemed lineup of experts, innovators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from the USA and Africa.
Keynote Speaker

Dr. Phani Tej Adidam
Ward Y. and George T. Lindley Professor of Business Administration; Chairman and Professor of the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship; and Director, Center of International Business Initiatives in the College of Business Administration at University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Fulbright Specialist (2023-2026)
Bio
Dr. Phani Tej Adidam
Dr. Phani Tej Adidam is the Ward Y. and George T. Lindley Professor of Business Administration; Chairman and Professor of the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship; and Director, Center of International Business Initiatives in the College of Business Administration at University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). He served as a Fulbright Scholar at Management Center Innsbruck, Austria in 2022-23 and a Fulbright Specialist in Eastern University, Sri Lanka in 2025.He received his MBA from the Institute of Management Technology in India, and Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. In December 2022, Dr. Adidam received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Faculty of Commerce, Banaras Hindu University, India. In August 2024, Dr. Adidam was bestowed with the University of Nebraska-System’s highest teaching award – Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award. At UNO, Dr. Adidam is a recipient of the University-wide Excellence in Teaching Award, and the UNO Alumni Outstanding Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was the first recipient of UNO’s prestigious Faculty Excellence in Global Engagement Award. In the past twenty years, Dr. Adidam has received UNO’s Executive MBA’s Distinguished Professor of the Year eight times. He is also a recipient of the Dean’s Citation for Excellence in Teaching award (twice); the Chairperson’s Teaching Excellence award; and the Outstanding MBA Professor of the Year.
Dr. Adidam teaches sales, brand, marketing and management strategies in the MBA, Executive MBA, and BSBA programs. Dr. Adidam has been invited to teach at more than 12 business schools around the world. His research has been published in several leading academic journals – Journal of Marketing; Journal of International Marketing; Journal of Marketing Management; Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, among others. Prior to joining academics, Dr. Adidam consulted with several large and medium companies based in India, Singapore, and Europe on strategies for developing and implementing marketing executive information systems.

Karine Sokpoh
CEO, Midlands African Chamber
Karine Sokpoh
Ms. Karine Egbemimo Sokpoh, is the visionary founder and CEO of the Midlands African Chamber. Her remarkable journey encompasses law, advocacy, and community empowerment, reflecting a career marked by excellence and service.
Ms. Sokpoh embodies a commitment to advancing global trade, legal expertise, and inclusive entrepreneurship. As the driving force behind 402Legal, Ms. Sokpoh has established a legacy of excellence in immigration, international law, and corporate matters. She brings a wealth of academic accomplishments to her role, holding a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Lomé in Togo, West Africa, and a Bachelor of General Studies in Communications with a minor in Women's Studies from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Ms. Sokpoh obtained her Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from Creighton University School of Law, with a Certificate of Concentration in International and Comparative Law. Her accolades speak volumes about her contributions, including the Judge Elizabeth D. Pittman Award for Excellence in Legal Service (2024), the Inclusive Leadership Award from African Immigrant Family Services (2023), the African American Leadership Award in Business from the Urban League of Nebraska (2023), and the Reisman Award by Clio (2022), among others.
As the founder and CEO of the Midlands African Chamber, Inc., Ms. Sokpoh has championed diversity and entrepreneurship in Nebraska's business landscape. Her leadership extends beyond boardrooms, as she actively serves on the Global Partners in Hope Advisory Board and as president of the MAC Foundation board, driving impactful change and fostering economic growth.
Fluent in French, English, and Mina, Ms. Sokpoh’s linguistic versatility enhances her advocacy efforts, facilitating communication and representation for clients from diverse backgrounds. Her passion for empowerment and entrepreneurship is further evident in her role as a motivational speaker and esteemed law instructor, where she imparts wisdom on topics ranging from women and girls’ issues to business and immigration law.
Ms. Karine Sokpoh’s multifaceted contributions exemplify her unwavering dedication to community service, legal excellence, and fostering inclusive growth. As a beacon of leadership and advocacy, she continues to inspire positive change and elevate the voices of underrepresented communities in Nebraska and beyond.

Dr. Tala Awada
Associate Dean in the Agricultural Research Division (ARD) at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR)
Bio
Dr. Tala Awada
Dr. Tala Awada is the Associate Dean in the Agricultural Research Division (ARD) at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), a Professor of Plant Ecophysiology in the School of Natural Resources, a Fellow of the Robert Daugherty Global Water for Food Institute, and a Fellow of the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI), University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She co-leads the Nebraska Long-term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR-ARS/USDA) network and the Partnership on Data Innovation (PDI-USDA) site. Her research is transdisciplinary in nature, and focuses on the sustainability, productivity, circularity, and resilience of agricultural, grassland and forest ecosystems under climate variability and change and anthropogenic management.
Jay Reiners
Secretary/Treasurer of the U.S. Grains Council
Bio
Jay Reiners
Jay Reiners, a recently retired fourth-generation farmer from Juniata, Nebraska, has dedicated over three decades to advancing sustainable agriculture and promoting global trade. His family farm, established in 1892, has been a cornerstone of Nebraska’s agricultural community.Throughout his career, Jay has been actively involved in agricultural leadership. He served as chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and was elected as secretary/treasurer of the U.S. Grains Council, where he played a pivotal role in facilitating international trade and promoting U.S. grains worldwide.
Jay’s commitment to agriculture is complemented by his academic background; he is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has served in Nebraska’s Army National Guard. In 1992, his family’s farm received the Aksarben Pioneer Farm Award, recognizing over a century of continuous family ownership and operation.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jay is passionate about leveraging his expertise to support agricultural development in Africa. He believes in the potential of sustainable farming practices to enhance food security and improve livelihoods across the continent.
Jay and his wife, Debra, remain deeply connected to their community in Juniata, Nebraska. As they transition into retirement, they continue to uphold the values of hard work, dedication, and service that have defined their lives and look forward to contributing to global agricultural initiatives.

April Hibbler, JD, MBA
Executive Program Lead of the Nebraska Opportunity Exchange (NOE)
Bio
April Hibbler, JD, MBA
April Hibbler, JD, MBA, is the Executive Program Lead of the Nebraska Opportunity Exchange (NOE) at the Urban League of Nebraska. She designed and leads NOE, a statewide initiative helping small businesses access government and corporate contracts, capital, and international opportunities.Previously, April served as a Business Development Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she worked to expand procurement access for underserved entrepreneurs. Today, she is focused on building partnerships that bridge Nebraska businesses with global markets, particularly in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.
At this conference, April will share insights on youth in AgriTech, entrepreneurship, and pathways to international trade and investment.

Sandro Lopes
Farmer, Researcher, and Community Builder
Bio
Sandro Lopes
Sandro Lopes, known as Kaaboc—“the one who comes from the forest” in the Tupi language—is a farmer, researcher, and community builder dedicated to regenerating land and culture. Born in the Brazilian Amazon, Sandro brings ancestral wisdom into dialogue with contemporary sustainability, shaping his life’s work at NaTerra Farms in David City, Nebraska.NaTerra Farms is not just a farm; it is a living classroom where indigenous agriculture, syntropic systems, and permaculture principles converge. Inspired by the Amazonian practice of nhembojera—planting and harvesting in community—Sandro designs spaces like Mandala Gardens, Milpa plots, and Food Forests where plants, animals, and people thrive in reciprocal relationships. Chickens, goats, and crops are integrated within natural cycles, demonstrating how biodiversity restores soil fertility, enhances resilience, and nurtures healthy food systems.
As Kaaboc, Sandro honors the memory of his ancestors while creating pathways for Latino and Indigenous farmers in the Midwest. Through partnerships with organizations such as Practical Farmers of Iowa, the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, and the Center for Rural Affairs, he shares knowledge on soil health, community food systems, and regenerative design.
For Sandro, farming is more than production—it is pedagogy, culture, and hope. At NaTerra Farms, every seed planted and every community gathering reflects his vision: that agriculture can heal land, honor heritage, and cultivate future generations rooted in dignity, resilience, and care.

Amandine Ouédraogo
Agronomist and Founder and CEO of Agro Girl Consulting (AGC)
Bio
Amandine Ouédraogo
Amandine Ouédraogo is a passionate agronomist and entrepreneur from Burkina Faso, currently based in France. She is the founder and CEO of Agro Girl Consulting (AGC), a consulting and training initiative dedicated to empowering young people and specially the African diaspora to invest sustainably in agriculture.Beyond her technical knowledge, Amandine is a community builder and science communicator, using her “Agro Girl” platform to connect farmers, youth, and researchers across Africa. Through social media and practical training, she shares accessible knowledge that has inspired thousands of young Africans to view agriculture not just as a livelihood, but as a viable business and a driver of economic transformation. Her mission is to bridge the gap between science, innovation, technology, and practice, helping build a generation of African agri-entrepreneurs who combine sustainability, profitability, and resilience.
Currently a PhD student in Agriculture and Soil Science, Amandine’s research focuses on the impact of agricultural practices on plant growth and yields, soil structure, fertility, and resilience in tropical and temperate contexts. An Engineer in Crop Production Management, she also holds a master’s degree in Agronomy (Plant Production, Soil Health and Protection) from Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, France.
She aims to inspire a new generation of African leaders who see agriculture as innovation, impact, and independence

Fernand Bila
Associate Director and Grants Administrator at the Institute for International Business (IIB)
Bio
Fernand Bila
Fernand Bila is the Associate Director and Grants Administrator at the Institute for International Business (IIB), Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa. With over 15 years of combined experience in international business education and grant administration in the U.S, as well as corporate tax and legal services in Burkina Faso, Fernand brings a global perspective and deep expertise in program development and financial management.He is passionate about fostering global collaboration through education, innovation, and cross-cultural engagement. In his current role, Fernand helps build international partnerships, particularly in frontier markets with a focus on Africa. He has directed high-impact programs such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African leaders, the U.S. State Department’s flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative.
Fernand holds an MBA from the University of Iowa, and a Master’s in Business Law from the University of Ouagadougou.

Guy NZE NDONG
Community Leader, Public Speaker
EMCEE
Bio
Guy NZE NDONG
Guy NZE NDONG Guy is a community leader, public speaker passionate about empowering people to believe in God and themselves, to live a better and fulfilling life.
Gibril S. Mansaray, MBA
Founder, Pa Karim Memorial Foundation 
  Entrepreneurship & Innovations Director, Omaha 100 
Bio
Gibril S. Mansaray, MBA
Gibril S. Mansaray is an ecosystem architect and bridge-builder dedicated to advancing sustainable development and inclusive entrepreneurship across the U.S. and Africa.As Founder of the Pa Karim Memorial Foundation, Gibril has secured multi-year six- figure funding to build the first middle school and high school in his family’s village in Sierra Leone—creating historic access to education for hundreds of rural students. His family holds over 2,000 acres of arable land, and he is now seeking investment partners to revolutionize agriculture in a nation where over 70% of arable land remains unfarmed. His work focuses on key crops such as rice, cocoa, coffee, cassava, cashew, and palm oil, while expanding collaboration in renewable energy, clean water, and responsible gold and diamond mining.
In the U.S., Gibril serves as the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Director at Omaha 100, a leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), where he drives initiatives that expand capital access and build pathways to wealth for Black entrepreneurs.
Gibril lives in Omaha with his wife, Maurisa, a Food Safety Field Specialist and classically trained cellist, and their two sons, Moses and Maaz.

Fouad Mhadji Issa
Owner of Koponi

Dr. Santosh Pitla
Professor and Associate Department Head for Research and Innovation in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Bio
Dr. Santosh Pitla
Dr. Santosh Pitla is a Professor and Associate Department Head for Research and Innovation in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He leads the Machine Automation and Agricultural Robotics (MAARS) Laboratory (https://maars.ag/home), where his research focuses on advancing agricultural automation, electrification, and AI-enabled ground and aerial robotic systems for climate-smart farming.As a nationally recognized leader in agricultural robotics, Dr. Pitla’s work bridges cutting-edge technologies with real-world agricultural applications. He has pioneered the development of the Flex-Ro robotic platform and spearheads multiple large-scale research initiatives, including AI-enabled nitrogen management, robotic cover-crop planting, and agrivoltaic systems. His projects integrate AI, sensors, and robotics to build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
Beyond research, Dr. Pitla plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators through experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaborations with industry and government partners. His leadership continues to position Nebraska as a national hub for agricultural AI and robotics innovation. https://bse.unl.edu/person/santosh-pitla/

Dr. Rislana Abdulazeez Kanya
Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CCSA)
Bio
Dr. Rislana Abdulazeez Kanya
Dr Rislana Abdulazeez Kanya is a seasoned executive and governance leader with extensive experience at the intersection of technology, education, and sustainable development.As Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CCSA), Dr Kanya leads a multidisciplinary research and innovation centre dedicated to reducing climate risks in agriculture through emerging technologies and sustainable financing models. The Centre undertakes pioneering work on soil health, smart irrigation, and nutrient efficiency, value addition and supply chain, while supporting smallholder farmers to access digital extension advisory services and affordable finance.
He is also the Technical Adviser to the Governor of Jigawa State on ICT and Digital Economy, where he has helped establish the ICT and Digital Economy Agency, the Residents Identity Management Agency, and the Creating Opportunity for Mastery, Proficiency, Excellence and Technology Empowerment (COMPETE) Programme. These initiatives are transforming the State’s digital economy and education ecosystems through teacher training, digital transformation, and the promotion of future-ready skills.
Dr Kanya currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Galaxy Information Technology and Telecommunication Limited and as a Member of the Board of Trustees at both Lux Mundi University, Umuahia, and Cosmopolitan University, Abuja. He is also a Council Member of Jigawa State ICT Polytechnic, Kazaure, and a Board Member of Jigawa Savings and Loans Ltd.
Previously, he served as Deputy Vice Chancellor for IT, Research, and Innovation, as well as Director of IT Services at Baze University, Abuja, where he strengthened research systems, advanced digital innovation services and fostered productive partnerships between academia, government and industry.
His global leadership perspective is informed by executive programmes and collaborations with world-class institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) supported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) among others. He has also contributed to projects supported by UNICEF, UNDP, INRIA in France, CEIMIA in Canada, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank.
Dr Kanya holds a PhD in Computing (ICT4D) and a BSc (Hons) in Computing and Information Systems from the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, as well as an MBA from the University of Wales, completed at Thames Business School Singapore.

Nate Blum
Chief Executive Officer of BlüMilo and the Sorghum United Foundation
Bio
Nate Blum
Nate Blum serves as the Chief Executive Officer of BlüMilo and the Sorghum United Foundation. As a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, Mr. Blum leads the Foundation in advancing education, markets, and economic opportunities for sorghum and millets, empowering local communities to thrive in high-value markets. His dedication stems from a deep commitment to food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and reducing rural economic disparities and issues that sorghum and millet offer viable solutions for.Mr. Blum is an expert in agricultural production and marketing, with a specialized focus on value-added processing of sorghum-based products. His career spans over 40 countries and includes representing the sorghum and millet industries at the United Nations FAO and engaging with international stakeholders on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A highlight of his work includes hosting the Independent Food Systems Summit in August 2021, where he facilitated critical dialogues on sustainable food systems.
Previously, Mr. Blum served as Executive Director of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board and the Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association (2019-2023), driving impactful initiatives and policy changes that have shaped the region's grain sorghum industry. Additionally, he serves on the USDA Grains, Feed, and Oilseeds Ag Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC), advising the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM), providing counsel to the United Nations Committee on Food Security (CFS), and as a member of the UNFAO committee on Bioeconomy for Food and Agriculture.
As a recognized thought leader, Mr. Blum has been featured in global media outlets such as the BBC, The Startup LA Podcast, MSN, The Hindustan Times, and Kilimo News. He regularly speaks at international sustainability and food technology conferences and mentors university students on leadership in the food and agriculture sectors.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska (Class of 2019) with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Mr. Blum's background informs his compassionate, strategic leadership style. He also completed the prestigious Nebraska LEAD Program (Class XXXVI) and served as Vice President of the Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association. Outside of his professional commitments, he is an avid volunteer, community organizer, and the author of the ‘Sorgho Squad’ adventure series and video game, blending creativity with his passion for agriculture.

Dr. Loren Giesler
Professor and Head Department of Plant Pathology University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bio
Dr. Loren Giesler
Since assuming the role of Head of the Department of Plant Pathology in 2018, Dr. Giesler has focused his efforts on administrative leadership, stepping away from his research, extension programs, and graduate student training. Despite this shift, he remains actively engaged in supporting the next generation of plant pathologists as the faculty advisor for the Plant Pathology Graduate Student Association. Additionally, he serves as the administrative advisor for the Soybean Disease Committee (NCAC 137) and contributes to the Crop Protection Network as part of its advisory leadership team. He continues to contribute as a panel member on the Backyard Farmer program on Nebraska Public Media.Dr. Giesler is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive departmental culture, emphasizing a strong sense of belonging among its members. Under his leadership, the department continues to advance its strategic vision of achieving Food Security for All People!
Before taking on his current role, Dr. Giesler dedicated 20 years to providing statewide leadership for extension programs in soybean pathology and urban plant health.

Dr. Abia Katimbo
Assistant Professor and Irrigation Management Specialist at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bio
Dr. Abia Katimbo
Dr. Abia Katimbo is an Assistant Professor and Irrigation Management Specialist at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has both research and extension appointment and stationed at West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte. His research is focused on improving irrigation management in row crops through application of data-driven irrigation scheduling techniques, such as soil moisture sensing technology and remote sensing tools, mainly canopy sensing technology, as well as exploring advanced limited irrigation strategies targeting water-sensitive crop growth stages. He is also participating in interdisciplinary research that is exploring solutions that can mitigate nitrate leaching in irrigated corn production systems to conserve groundwater quality with reduced nitrate contamination, by integrating best irrigation and nitrogen management practices with use of cover crops.Furthermore, Dr. Katimbo’s extension efforts are mainly focused on creating awareness about the benefits of using data collected on the farm among growers to guide irrigation scheduling with data-driven recommendations that can enhance water conservation and on-farm water use efficiency by optimizing water applications to maximize crop yields and profits. Most importantly, he is the pioneer of the irrigation outreach program known as Mobile Irrigation Testing Lab (MITLab) that is exposing farmers to advanced irrigation scheduling technology in West Central Nebraska, through training and demonstrations of use of data-driven recommendations from the technology on individual farms. The main goal is to facilitate adoption but also build trust in farmers about the capability of the available technology in increasing water savings and farm yields and profits.
Registration
Ticket
USA - GENERAL
Ticket
Outside USA
Venue
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel is a premier event destination in the heart of downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. Blending historic charm with modern amenities, the hotel offers elegant event spaces perfect for conferences, weddings, galas, and corporate gatherings. With exceptional service, onsite catering, and close proximity to the State Capitol and University of Nebraska, it’s the ideal setting for memorable events of any size.
Partnership & Sponsorship
Partner With Purpose
Support a visionary initiative driving sustainable impact in agribusiness and industrial development. Whether you're a foundation, government agency, private company, or financial institution, IAMF offers custom partnership and sponsorship packages.
Exhibitors
Showcase. Sell. Scale.
Join a diverse lineup of exhibitors from across the agribusiness and manufacturing value chains. IAMF is your platform to showcase innovations, build brand visibility, and connect with decision-makers.

 
 		 
         
















