Nairobi: Kenya has reaffirmed its leadership in agricultural innovation and trade as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development hosted the inaugural Africa International Agricultural Expo in Nairobi yesterday.
According to Kenya News Agency, the three-day event brings together global investors, researchers, innovators, and farmers to accelerate Africa's agricultural transformation through innovation, technology, and market access.
State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh highlighted the government's commitment to boosting productivity, empowering smallholder farmers, and positioning Kenya as Africa's agribusiness hub. 'Kenya is proud to host this global platform where innovation meets opportunity, thus this exhibition shines a spotlight on Africa's growth as the world's breadbasket and as ground zero for agricultural innovation,' said Dr. Ronoh.
The expo, themed 'Increasing Agricultural Productivity in Africa through Innovation and Market Access', has attracted more than 150 international exhibitors and 100 delegates from across Africa, China, the United States, Turkey, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. It marked a major step toward strengthening Kenya's role in regional food systems and global trade partnerships.
Dr. Ronoh emphasized the importance of adopting smart and precision farming technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of things (IoT), and climate-smart solutions, to boost yields, reduce waste, and mitigate the effects of climate change. He noted that Kenya's agricultural agenda aims to expand market access, promote value addition, and enhance competitiveness in key sectors such as horticulture, coffee, tea, and livestock.
'Africa has no option but to adopt climate-smart farming, we must invest in irrigation, sustainable soil management, and agro-logistics to ensure productivity from farm to market.' he said.
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) National Director Ken Oddity reaffirmed the Chamber's commitment to strengthening agri-entrepreneurship and trade linkages. 'The private sector remains the engine of Africa's agricultural growth, we are working to empower farmers, support innovators, and unlock opportunities that make agriculture profitable for our people.' Oddity said.
Gun Haiyan, representing the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kenya, reiterated China's continued support for Africa's agricultural transformation through partnerships in technology exchange and innovation. 'China stands ready to deepen cooperation with African nations to achieve sustainable food systems, a shared vision and collaboration are essential for achieving future food security,' he said.
The expo also featured innovation challenges and incubation programmes to spotlight emerging African aggrotech startups, reinforcing youth participation and digital inclusion in the sector. Dr. Ronoh urged participants to move beyond discussions and translate resolutions into action, stressing that partnerships forged at the expo must deliver tangible benefits for farmers and communities across the continent, aimed at leveraging Africa's innovation to foster long-term prosperity.
Lastly, as the curtains rise on the 2025 Africa International Agricultural Expo, Kenya's message is clear: the future of Africa's food security lies in innovation, collaboration, and shared ambition.