By Churchil Barasa
Nairobi, 4th April 2025 – Agricultural trade is a critical driver of food security in East Africa, shaping production, access, availability, and costs. However, barriers such as non-trade tariffs and complex certification processes continue to hinder its full potential, even with the establishment of the Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA). Ongoing efforts aim to harmonize trade requirements and introduce a “single window” approach to streamline import-export processes. Kenya is leading the region in agricultural trade, with countries like Uganda and Ethiopia seeking to learn from its successes.
The Agriculture Sector Network, representing private sector stakeholders, has been instrumental in coordinating efforts and advocating for better policies to improve the business environment. Yet, challenges such as inadequate data and underfunding persist. While agriculture contributes 20% to Kenya’s GDP, it still receives less than the recommended 10% of the national budget.
Transitioning from agricultural production to agri-systems requires increased investments across the value chain—from post-harvest handling to value addition—alongside improved data collection to track progress effectively. Policy reforms, capacity building, and regional cooperation remain essential. Frameworks like IGAD’s Food Security and Nutrition Strategy need to be adapted at national levels to enhance agricultural investment. Additionally, informal agricultural systems, including indigenous food trade and local livestock variations, must be integrated into data collection processes to ensure fair and comprehensive reporting.
With the Malabo process approaching its final stages, refining commitments under the Kampala Declaration is crucial to incorporating stakeholder input and country-specific agricultural priorities. Meanwhile, IGAD’s Food System Resilience Program, a seven-year World Bank-funded initiative, is working to strengthen agricultural productivity through digital investments, resource sustainability, and trade facilitation. However, challenges such as climate change, conflicts, and financial constraints persist. With food insecurity still affecting 62 million people in the region, achieving sustainable agricultural growth will require a multi-sectoral, well-funded, and data-driven approach to drive economic growth and poverty reduction.