The desert's ripple effect: The Western Negev is quietly reshaping Israel-Africa ties - opinion

A delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, visited SouthUp, a tech incubator in the Western Negev, on July 29, 2026. The visit showcased Israeli agricultural technology startups addressing post-harvest waste and cold chain issues. The DRC cultivates less than 1% of its agricultural potential. A presidential visit to the region is being planned.

On July 29, 2026, a high-level delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, visited SouthUp, a non-profit technology incubator in the Shaar Hanegev region of Israel's Western Negev. The visit was organized by Ambassador Leo Vinovezky, Israel's envoy to Angola, the DRC, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The delegation toured startups addressing agricultural challenges, including Biotization, which reduces post-harvest waste from over 30% to under 1%, Fungit BioSolutions, which uses fungal strains from the Dead Sea to enhance crop resilience, and BioTip, which provides cold chain monitoring. The DRC, despite its fertile land, cultivates less than 1% of its potential due to logistical issues. The visit concluded with plans for a potential presidential visit to the region. The article is written by Noam Bedein, director of Innovation Diplomacy and Strategic Partnerships for Hamitba, and reflects a personal perspective on the significance of the visit.