Kenya is positioning itself as a leading agribusiness investment hub in Africa with the planned launch of Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya in Nairobi next year.
The event is scheduled to run from May 4 to 6, 2027 and follows Gulfood’s expansion into Africa as part of its growth into a global food trade platform. The announcement was made at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, confirming Kenya as the official African host of the Gulfood platform.
The move places Kenya as a key entry point into the global food, agribusiness, logistics and innovation economy.
Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya is backed by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Agriculture and Food Authority and the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology.
It is anchored in the Kenya–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The launch aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to position Kenya as a high-income economy.
Investments, Trade and Industry CS Lee Kinyanjui said the initiative marked a significant step in Kenya’s trade and investment agenda, noting that the partnership with the UAE and ongoing reforms were mobilising the entire value chain for global trade.
Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe said agriculture contributes more than a quarter of Kenya’s gross domestic product and supports millions of livelihoods, adding that the platform would connect Kenyan and African producers to international markets.
Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya is expected to support agricultural value addition, export growth, agro-industrialisation, small and medium enterprise participation and wider industrial expansion, while strengthening Kenya’s role as a continental agrifood gateway.
Kenya’s selection was supported by ongoing investment in infrastructure and logistics, including the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, upgrades to regional airports, modernisation of the Port of Mombasa and the development of regional trade corridors linking Eastern and Central Africa.
These projects are linked to the Infrastructure Fund, which supports long-term investment in transport, logistics, industrial parks, cold-chain facilities and export-focused manufacturing.
Kenya’s role as a gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area, a market of more than 1.4 billion people, further strengthens its appeal. The country is a major producer and exporter of tea, coffee, horticultural products, livestock and processed foods.
The food economy in Africa is projected to reach $567.31 billion by 2032, offering scale for firms seeking diversified and resilient supply chains.
Beyond agriculture, Kenya is recognised for digital innovation in areas such as mobile payments, logistics technology, climate-smart farming and supply-chain digitisation.
Special Envoy on Technology Philip Thigo said Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya reflected Kenya’s commitment to food security, green industrialisation and technology-driven growth. He noted that Kenya would also host AI Everything x GITEX from May 19 to 21, 2026.
Global Gulfood organiser Trixie LohMirmand said the expansion signalled a new phase for Africa’s food economy, with Kenya positioned as a conduit for African produce entering global markets.
The platform is expected to link global buyers with Africa’s food producers through Nairobi, supporting trade, investment and cross-border value chains.
by KNA
