Second Ethiopia International Date Palm Festival Celebrates Regional Agricultural Promise

The Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation concluded its second festival in Semera, bringing together regional expertise and international collaboration to advance sustainable cultivation across East Africa.

The Second Ethiopia International Date Palm Festival 2026 has concluded in Semera, the capital of Ethiopia’s Afar Region, marking a significant moment for agricultural cooperation across East Africa and the wider Middle East.

Organised by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in partnership with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, and supported by Erth Zayed Philanthropies—an affiliate of the Presidential Court—the three-day event demonstrated the growing momentum behind date palm development as a sustainable agricultural priority.

The festival brought together a diverse community of stakeholders, with farmers, producers, researchers and specialised institutions engaging in a comprehensive programme of scientific, commercial and community activities. This inclusive approach reflects a commitment to building capacity across the entire value chain, from cultivation through to final product delivery.

The scale of international participation underscored the regional significance of the initiative. Fifty-five exhibitors occupied 48 pavilions, representing seven countries: the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Mauritania and Türkiye. Alongside traditional date varieties and processed products, exhibitors showcased the latest technological innovations in cultivation and post-harvest processing—essential tools for enhancing productivity and quality in an increasingly competitive global market.

Dr. Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid, Secretary-General of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, characterised the second edition as evidence of the partnership’s enduring success. He emphasised that the festival now represents a transition from the foundational establishment phase towards a period of genuine empowerment and value creation for participating communities and producers.

The recognition of Ethiopia’s Afar Region as a promising centre for date palm development reflects evolving agricultural realities across East Africa. With appropriate investment, expertise transfer and market access, the region possesses considerable potential to establish itself as a meaningful contributor to both continental and international date production.

Source: WAM