Africa Dairy Industry Awards 2026: Celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership

KENYA – The Africa Dairy Industry Awards 2026, organized by FW Brands MEA, has awarded industry leaders, investors, managers, and professionals from across the continent to celebrate excellence, innovation, and sustainability in the dairy sector.

Held on April 17th, 2026, Francis Juma, CEO of FW Brands MEA, explained that the awards not only honoured achievements but also underscored the resilience and innovation driving Africa’s dairy industry forward.

Persons of the year

The awards spotlighted remarkable personalities shaping the industry. Margaret Kibogy, former Managing Director of the Kenya Dairy Board, alongside Hon. Muhika Mutahi of Mukurweini Wakulima Dairy Limited, Geofrey Mulwana of Jesa Dairy, and Alex Gathii Gitonga of Tanolope Consultancy, were recognized as the Most Influential Dairy Persons of the Year.

Kenneth Gitonga of Meru Dairy Cooperative Union and Mercy Ndoro of Dairiboard Zimbabwe were celebrated as CEOs of the Year.

Youth champions Brian Kiplangat and Abigail Mwihaki embodied the next generation of entrepreneurs, while Ann Mwangi of Meved Dairy stood out as the Woman Dairy Champion of the Year.

New product innovations of the year

Happy Cow Dairy’s Jolly Fresh and Jesa Dairy’s Bonga took honors in the Fermented Dairy Product category.

In the liquid milk product category, Brookside Dairy’s fortified milk, Pearl Dairy’s omega-fortified milk, and Clover SA’s first-choice high-protein milk took the spotlight.

In the cheese product of the year, Browns Cheese’s Orange Cheddar and Fairview Cheese of South Africa were recognised.

Frozen dairy desserts and ice cream products also shone, with Glacier’s Dairyland Milk Range, real fruit, Razco Limited’s Enigma Ice Cream, and Tanzania’s Azam ice cream range earning accolades.

Companies/Processor of the year

The industry leadership award category was shared by New KCC and Clover Dairy, both marking over a century of service.

Brookside Dairy Ltd was honored for product innovation, while Bio-Foods Ltd excelled in food safety and quality.

Meru Dairy was celebrated as a dairy development champion, while Devyani Foods Ltd and Pearl Dairy were recognised for export and market expansion.

Emerging companies such as Tatu Milk, La Fromagerie, and Mzuzu Dairy were spotlighted as rising forces.

Cooperatives also had their moment: Githunguri Dairy Farmers Co-Operative Society Limited led the large cooperative category, Mukurweini Wakulima Dairy Limited triumphed in the medium cooperative category, and Mumberes Farmers Cooperative Society won the small category.

Dairy industry investments of the year

Nandi Dairy Cooperative, Benni Foods, and Holland Dairy were acknowledged for significant industry investments.

Commercial dairy farm of the year

OS Farm, Joy Farm, and Lacata Farm were named commercial dairy farms of the year.

Rising star dairy cooperative company of the year.

Rising stars included Alba Dairy, Sirimon Cheese, and Galaxy Foods, signaling a vibrant future for the sector.

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