Nairobi: The Kenyan Government and the private sector have underscored the need for Africa to strengthen its commodity value chains to enhance global competitiveness and boost earnings for farmers and economies. Speaking during a high-level forum in Nairobi, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Climate and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa emphasized that Africa must move beyond exporting raw commodities and instead focus on value addition to products such as coffee, tea, and cocoa.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Barasa highlighted Africa’s immense potential in agriculture, urging a shift from being primary producers to global leaders in value-added commodities. This transition would significantly increase the continent’s share of global earnings. The session, themed ‘Strengthening Africa’s Commodity Value Chains: From Production to Global Market Leadership’, brought together policymakers, development partners, and private sector players to explore ways of improving productivity, sustainability, and market access.
Dr. Barasa emphasized the importance of adopting technology and sustainable practices to improve supply chain efficiency and transparency. She pointed out that digitization and traceability systems can aid African producers in meeting international standards while building trust with global buyers. In remarks delivered on her behalf by Director of Environment Policy, Research and Regulations Wangari Kirumba, the CS further called for increased investment in climate-smart agriculture to enhance resilience among farmers.
The session, moderated by Rosa Nduati Mutero, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, stressed the need for collaborative approaches between governments, the private sector, and development partners to unlock Africa’s agricultural potential. Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi noted the critical role county governments play in supporting farmers through extension services and infrastructure development, advocating for improved access to markets, financing, and modern farming techniques.
Marco Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, emphasized the role of international partnerships in driving sustainable agricultural transformation, noting that development cooperation can support innovation and capacity building across value chains. Luca Alinovi, CEO and Founder at Aflabox, highlighted the importance of logistics and supply chain solutions in reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring products reach global markets efficiently.
Mwangi Wamae, a member of the Board Finance and Investments Committee as well as the Board Audit and Risk Committee and the Director at Mount Kenya Investment Limited, called for leveraging technology to enhance transparency and traceability in commodity trading. He added that digital platforms can connect farmers directly to buyers and improve pricing. Teresa Mbagaya, a Principal at Omidyar Network, underscored the need to integrate social impact into value chain development, particularly in supporting smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.
Participants also stressed the importance of meeting global quality, certification, and sustainability standards to access premium international markets, noting that compliance remains a major barrier for many African producers. The forum concluded with a call for coordinated efforts to strengthen policies, investments, and partnerships aimed at transforming Africa’s commodity sectors into globally competitive and sustainable industries.
