The inaugural COMESA–EU Horticulture Connect Meeting marked a historic milestone for Africa's horticulture industry, bringing together European buyers, regional SMEs, and agribusiness leaders to deepen trade, investment, and partnership opportunities across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, the forum — the first of its kind under COMESA — set the pace for the upcoming COMESA Business Summit, themed "Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth."
Championing horticulture as a means for economic growth
In his keynote address, Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, hailed horticulture as one of the most vibrant and job-creating sectors in the region.
"Horticulture is not just an agricultural activity — it is a major pillar of our economy," said Kagwe. "In Kenya alone, the sector earned over KSh137 billion in 2024 and employs more than 200,000 people directly, most of them women and youth. With the right policies, standards, and digital tools, we can make horticulture a billion-dollar industry for the entire COMESA region."
He underscored Kenya's commitment to modernizing the sector through the National Horticulture Traceability System, expanding EU and UK market access, and streamlining customs and logistics through digital platforms.
© Horti News Kenya
Building stronger regional value chains
Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, emphasized that the forum comes at a pivotal time when regional economies must integrate horticulture into global value chains.
"This event showcases COMESA's readiness to integrate horticulture into regional and global markets. It is time for our private sector — especially women- and youth-led enterprises — to seize opportunities in sustainable production, value addition, and trade with Europe," he said.
Focusing on SME competitiveness and market integration
COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, commended Kenya for hosting the inaugural event and reiterated COMESA's strategic focus on value chain development, SME competitiveness, and sustainable market integration.
"This is not just an event — it is a practical expression of COMESA's commitment to link enterprises from our region directly with European partners," she said.
Kapwepwe noted that COMESA's horticulture exports to the EU already exceed USD 3.3 billion annually, with the Netherlands accounting for 28% of that trade — a testament to a maturing regional value chain driven by collaboration and private-sector resilience.
Through EU-funded programs like RECAMP, over 500 SMEs, including 30% women- and youth-led enterprises, have enhanced their competitiveness and secured export contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
EU support
Lana Zutelija, EU Team Leader for Environment and Climate, Rural Development, and Trade Cooperation, reaffirmed the European Union's long-term commitment to supporting Africa's horticulture value chains through innovation, capacity building, and sustainable partnerships.
The one-day event featured B2B sessions, policy dialogues, and exhibitions linking producers with European buyers, and exploring innovations in climate-smart horticulture, digital traceability, and logistics optimization.
Source: Horti News Kenya
