plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 is the 9th International Plastics, Printing and Packaging Trade Show, running 20–22 May 2027 at the AICC in Addis Ababa.
It connects international machinery, material and technology suppliers with Ethiopian manufacturers, converters, printers and packaging buyers.
The event is organised by fairtrade Messe with local partner Prana Events and is co-located with agrofood Ethiopia.
TL;DR
1Runs 20–22 May 2027 over three trade days at the AICC in Addis Ababa.
29th edition of Ethiopia's leading plastics, printing and packaging trade show.
3The 2026 edition drew 152 exhibitors and 4,315 trade visitors.
4Co-located with agrofood Ethiopia: Hall 1 for plastprintpack, Hall 2 for agrofood.
5Free entry for pre-registered trade visitors, with badges issued before the show.
Why visit
Visit plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 to compare plastics processing, printing, packaging and recycling technology from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East in one hall. Meet suppliers who understand Ethiopia's import-led market, source machinery and materials for food, beverage, pharmaceutical and consumer-goods production, and use the co-located agrofood Ethiopia to review processing and packaging lines together. Pre-registered trade visitors receive a free badge and can use the online exhibitor directory to plan meetings before arriving in Addis Ababa.
Why exhibit
Exhibit at plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 to reach Ethiopia's manufacturers, converters, printers, packaging buyers and distributors during three focused trade days at the AICC. The 2026 edition attracted 152 exhibitors and 4,315 trade visitors, and organisers support national pavilions from Brazil, China, India, Italy and the UAE. Exhibitors can meet decision-makers across food and beverage, construction, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and consumer goods, and benefit from the co-located agrofood Ethiopia audience.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Owners and production managers at Ethiopian plastics processors and converters
Packaging buyers and technical managers at food, beverage and consumer-goods manufacturers
Printing and paper-converting company managers seeking new presses and materials
Distributors, importers and investors evaluating East African plastics and packaging supply
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Plastics machinery makers for extrusion, injection moulding, blow moulding and recycling
Printing and paper-converting equipment and consumables suppliers
Packaging material, film, label and flexible-packaging producers
Auxiliary equipment, mould, automation and raw-material suppliers
Hall 1 – Plastprintpack EthiopiaHall 2 – Agrofood Ethiopia
AICC Addis International Convention Center
AICC Addis International Convention Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Entrances & gates
AICC main entrance
Hall 1Hall 2
Main visitor entrance and registration desk; confirm the exact gate in the organiser's final visitor guide.
Facilities
On-site shuttle
The organiser advertises travel, accommodation and shuttle support; confirm the pickup point and timetable with fairtrade Messe or your hotel.
Food options
AICC restaurants and cafés, AICC canteen
On-site dining
Parking: AICC opened in March 2025 on a 40-hectare site with outdoor exhibition space. Ask the organiser about visitor parking and drop-off before travelling; allow extra time at peak opening hours.
Gate: Enter through the AICC main entrance and follow signs to Hall 1 for plastprintpack Ethiopia. Keep your pre-registered badge and business identification ready at the door.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Trade-only
Free registration
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
10:00 AM –5:30 PM on 20–21 May 2027 and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on 22 May 2027 (hours follow the 2026 pattern
Event daysconfirm 2027 times before travel)
Trade visitor
Free entry for pre-registered trade visitors; no paid ticket price is printed.
Pre-register online to receive your personal visitor badge before the show and avoid queues at the AICC registration desk.
Ticket notes
Admission is intended for trade visitors. Bring a business card, company details and photo identification; on-site registration may be slower than the pre-registered badge desk.
Presents the official Italian collective participation · Italy
How the last edition performed
Previous edition
Last edition
2026
Completed
Visitors: 4,315
Exhibitors: 152
Edition #: 8
This edition
2027
Forecast — not final
Visitors: 4,315
Exhibitors: 152
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
The 8th edition of plastprintpack Ethiopia was celebrated as a success by exhibitors, trade visitors, institutional partners and media. The 2026 show brought together 152 exhibitors from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East and 4,315 trade visitors from Ethiopia and neighbouring markets.
New this edition
1
Move to the new AICC
The 2027 edition is the first plastprintpack Ethiopia held at the AICC Addis International Convention Center, which opened in March 2025 on a 40-hectare site.
plastprintpack Ethiopia sits inside a fast-growing, import-dependent manufacturing market. Ethiopia's 140 million people and forecast 9.2% growth in 2026 are pulling in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and construction production, all of which need packaging, printing and plastics inputs. A focused three-day show gives regional buyers a rare chance to compare international machinery and materials without travelling to Europe or Asia, while exhibitors gain direct access to Ethiopian converters and distributors.
Audience quality
High-value decision-makers
The 2026 edition reported 4,315 trade visitors from Ethiopia and neighbouring markets, and the organiser describes the audience as decision-makers, distributors, manufacturers, investors and government stakeholders. The show is trade-only, so exhibitors should expect commercial conversations rather than public footfall. Visitor quality is strongest in plastics processing, food and beverage packaging, printing and converting; companies selling commodity materials should qualify buyers carefully because price competition from local and Asian suppliers is intense.
Exhibitor outcomes
Real business growth
ROI depends on meeting qualified converters and packaging buyers, not on raw visitor volume. A 9 sqm shell stand at an estimated EUR 250 per sqm costs about EUR 2,250 before travel and freight, so exhibitors should book meetings through the online exhibitor directory and target at least 40 qualified conversations over three days. The co-located agrofood Ethiopia audience adds food and beverage processors who buy packaging lines, but suppliers should budget for freight, customs clearance and a local distributor follow-up to convert leads.
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
East Africa
Why it matters
Ethiopia is one of Africa's largest and fastest-growing consumer markets, with 140 million people and a manufacturing base expanding in food and beverage, construction, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Most advanced plastics, printing and packaging equipment is imported, so international suppliers have room to grow as local processors invest in capacity. Addis Ababa is the commercial gateway to Ethiopia and neighbouring East African markets.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
01
Local converting capacity is replacing imports
Ethiopian manufacturers are adding extrusion, injection moulding, printing and packaging lines to serve domestic food, beverage and consumer-goods brands.
What it changes: Suppliers of machinery, moulds, spare parts and technical service can win projects as converters localise production rather than importing finished packaging.
02
Packaging demand follows food and beverage growth
A larger urban middle class is buying more packaged food, drinks and personal-care products, raising demand for flexible film, labels, cartons and closures.
What it changes: Packaging material and machinery suppliers should target food and beverage processors, where volume growth and new product launches drive line upgrades.
03
Recycling and material efficiency are moving up the agenda
Rising resin costs and urban waste pressures are pushing Ethiopian converters to consider recycling, regrind and energy-efficient equipment.
What it changes: Recycling and efficiency technology has a strong pitch at the 2027 show, especially for processors facing volatile imported raw-material prices.
The East African plastics, printing and packaging circuit
Book Addis Ababa hotels and flights 8–12 weeks before May; circuit dates for other editions should be confirmed with each organiser.
plastprintpack Ethiopia sits in a family of fairtrade Messe shows and adjacent East African packaging events. Buyers can combine the Addis Ababa edition with agrofood Ethiopia in the same halls, then plan around the wider African circuit.
20–22 May 2027
agrofood Ethiopia 2027
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Same dates and venue as plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027; a single trip covers food processing and packaging.
May is the start of the main rainy season (kiremt). Expect warm days around 20–25°C, cooler evenings near 12–15°C, and afternoon or evening showers. Pack a light rain jacket and allow extra travel time.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Ethio Telecom operates 4G mobile and fixed broadband in Addis Ababa; coverage at the AICC is generally usable. Buy a local SIM with a passport at the airport or use an international eSIM; hotel Wi-Fi is common but can be slow at peak times.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Coffee is a social ritual
Accepting a macchiato or a coffee ceremony is a normal way to open a business meeting. Allow time for it rather than treating it as a quick break.
Greetings and pace
A handshake and a short personal greeting matter. Build a second meeting into your schedule because decisions often involve several colleagues and may not close on the first visit.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: ADD – Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Ethiopian Airlines is the official carrier and has the widest African network; book 8–12 weeks ahead for May and check the organiser promo code in the exhibitor information.
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Taxi or ride-hailing from Bole airport to the AICC takes 20–40 minutes and costs roughly ETB 300–700; use the official taxi desk or a ride-hailing app.
Hotel → venue: Most Bole hotels are 15–35 minutes from the AICC by taxi; allow 45 minutes at morning peak.
Ride-hail: Ride and Feres are widely used ride-hailing apps in Addis Ababa; keep the driver's plate number and agree payment in cash or via the app.
Public transit: Minibuses and buses are cheap but crowded and routes are not designed for visitors; use them only with local guidance.
Parking: Parking capacity at the AICC is not published; if driving, arrive early and follow marshal directions.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 12–25°C
Seasonality: Start of the main rainy season; expect afternoon and evening showers, with rain increasing toward June.
Packing: Bring a light rain jacket, comfortable shoes for the 40-hectare venue, a power bank, business cards and a sweater for cool evenings.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 – 21 May 2027
Day 2 usually has a full programme and settled exhibitor stands after build-up, while the final afternoon closes early at 16:00 and some exhibitors begin packing. Arrive on Day 1 for orientation if you have many meetings, then use Day 2 for the deepest supplier discussions.
T-14
Book flights and confirm visa eligibility — Use Ethiopian Airlines or a one-stop carrier; apply for the e-Visa early.
T-10
Reserve a Bole hotel with airport pickup — Ask for the fair rate and confirm cancellation terms.
T-7
Pre-register for a free visitor badge — Print the confirmation and save a digital copy.
T-3
Build an exhibitor shortlist and meeting plan — Use the online directory; book 6–10 meetings across Hall 1 and Hall 2.
T-1
Confirm transport, badge and business cards — Check the AICC route and allow 45 minutes at peak.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
09:30
Badge collection and coffee at the AICC main entrance
AICC main entrance
10:00
Plastics machinery meetings in Hall 1
Hall 1 – plastprintpack
13:00
Lunch and informal supplier catch-up
AICC café or canteen
14:00
Packaging and printing meetings, then agrofood crossover
Hall 1 and Hall 2
16:30
Follow-up notes and next-day meeting confirmations
Hotel business centre or lobby
Side trips
2
Entoto Natural Park
Half-Day Nature and City Views
About 30–45 minutes from Bole
Eucalyptus forest, walking trails and panoramic views over Addis Ababa; a good break after two days indoors.
National Museum of Ethiopia
Museum and Cultural Visit
About 20–30 minutes from Bole
Home to the Lucy fossil and Ethiopian archaeological and artistic collections; pair with a Piassa coffee stop.
Networking spots
2
Tomoca Coffee, Piassa
Historic coffee house
Busy, informal spot for a macchiato and a short meeting; go before 11:00 or after 15:00.
Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa lobby lounge
Hotel lounge
Quiet seating for supplier conversations near Meskel Square; useful for evening follow-ups.
First-timer guide
Follow-up playbook
Send a short thank-you message within 48 hours, referencing the specific machine or material discussed.
Attach the technical data sheet, a rough price indication and the next step you agreed at the stand.
Qualify the opportunity: confirm production volume, budget, decision-maker and timeline.
Offer a video demo or sample test for buyers who need internal approval.
Set a 10-working-day follow-up and log the lead in your CRM with the source event and stand number.
Ethiopian buying decisions often involve owners, production managers and finance. A single show conversation rarely closes a machinery order, so follow-up should equip your contact with material they can share internally and should respect local holidays and meeting pace.
Budget
Costs & budget
Shell scheme
EUR 230–270 / m²
Raw space
EUR 180–220 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No 2027 tariff sheet was fetched. The EUR 250 per sqm shell rate is an indicative figure reported by UCIMA for a 9 sqm pre-built stand; confirm all rates and inclusions with fairtrade Messe.
Official exhibitor services shop; lead-capture tools were not listed, so bring your own scanner.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When is plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027?
plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 runs from 20 to 22 May 2027 at the AICC in Addis Ababa. The three trade days follow the show's annual pattern; the printed 2026 hours were 10:00 to 17:30 on the first two days and 10:00 to 16:00 on the last day. Confirm final 2027 hours with the organiser before booking travel.
Where is plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 held?
The show is held at the AICC Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The venue opened in March 2025 on a 40-hectare site and has exhibition and conference halls, outdoor event space, restaurants, cafés, shops, a canteen and storage. plastprintpack uses Hall 1, while the co-located agrofood Ethiopia uses Hall 2.
Is plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 free to visit?
Yes. Entry is free for trade visitors who pre-register online, and the organiser promotes a free, fast-track badge that avoids queues at the exhibition. No paid ticket price is printed for the 2027 edition. Bring business identification and company details because admission is aimed at trade buyers rather than the general public.
How do I register for plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027?
Pre-register through the visitor section of the official plastprintpack Ethiopia website. You will receive a personal visitor badge before the show, which lets you use the fast-track entry at the AICC. Registration asks for your name, company, business e-mail and country, and the badge also gives access to the online exhibitor directory and matchmaking tools.
Who should exhibit at plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027?
Exhibitors should be suppliers of plastics processing and recycling machinery, printing and paper-converting equipment, packaging machinery, flexible packaging, labels, films, raw materials, moulds and automation. The show suits companies seeking Ethiopian manufacturers, converters, printers, distributors and investors, especially those able to support import, installation, spare parts and local service in East Africa.
What products are shown at plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027?
The show covers the plastics, printing, paper, packaging and recycling value chain. Product groups include plastics raw materials and compounds, extrusion, injection moulding, blow moulding and recycling machinery, printing machines and consumables, paper and tissue converting equipment, packaging materials, labelling, automation and auxiliary equipment. The co-located agrofood Ethiopia adds food processing and packaging lines.
How many exhibitors and visitors did the 2026 edition attract?
The 2026 edition brought together 152 exhibitors from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, plus 4,315 trade visitors from Ethiopia and neighbouring markets. These are the organiser's printed figures for the 8th edition. The 2027 edition is the 9th and returns to Addis Ababa at the AICC from 20 to 22 May.
Is plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 trade-only?
Yes. The organiser and AUMA describe the show as a trade event for professional visitors. Admission is intended for manufacturers, converters, printers, packaging buyers, distributors and investors rather than the general public. Trade visitors should bring a business card and company identification, and pre-register online to receive a badge before arriving at the AICC.
What is co-located with plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027?
agrofood Ethiopia is co-located with plastprintpack Ethiopia 2027 at the AICC. The organiser allocates Hall 1 to plastprintpack and Hall 2 to agrofood, creating a combined processing, packaging and food-supply audience. A single visit lets buyers review plastics and packaging technology alongside food processing, ingredients and agricultural equipment, which is useful for food and beverage manufacturers.
How do I get to the AICC from Bole airport?
Bole International Airport (ADD) is the main gateway to Addis Ababa and is roughly 6 km from the AICC, typically 20 to 40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. The organiser advertises travel, accommodation and shuttle support for participants. Confirm the shuttle pickup point with fairtrade Messe or your hotel, and allow extra time during morning peak hours.
Glossary
1
AICC
AICC Addis International Convention Center, the 40-hectare venue in Addis Ababa that hosts the 2027 edition.
2
plastprintpack
The fair's product scope: plastics, printing, paper, packaging and recycling materials, machinery and services.
3
Shell scheme
A pre-built exhibition stand with walls, carpet, fascia and basic lighting, usually priced per square metre.
4
Raw space
Floor space rented without a stand build, leaving the exhibitor to appoint a contractor and install its own structure.
5
Trade visitor
A professional visitor attending to source products, meet suppliers or research the market, rather than a public ticket holder.
6
ETB
Ethiopian birr, the local currency used for taxis, meals and on-site expenses in Addis Ababa.
7
ATA Carnet
An international customs document that can simplify temporary import of exhibition goods where the destination accepts it.
8
Matchmaking
The show's online exhibitor directory and meeting tools, which let visitors identify suppliers and book conversations before arrival.
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
