COMESA-EU Horticulture Connect Forges New Pathways for Africa-Europe Agribusiness Partnerships NAIROBI, Kenya – October 6, 2025: The historic halls of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) buzzed with anticipation as the inaugural COMESA–EU Horticulture Connect Meeting convened, marking a transformative moment for Eastern and Southern Africa’s agricultural sector. This landmark gathering brought together European buyers, regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and agribusiness leaders in an unprecedented effort to unlock new trade corridors, investment opportunities, and sustainable partnerships across the horticulture value chain. A Strategic Convergence for Regional Growth The timing and location of this inaugural event were anything but coincidental. Set against the backdrop of Nairobi’s dynamic business landscape, the meeting served as a strategic precursor to the broader COMESA Summit, firmly aligning with its theme: “Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.” This wasn’t merely another trade discussion—it represented a fundamental shift in how African agricultural producers connect with global markets. What does it take to transform horticulture from a traditional farming activity into a billion-dollar regional industry? This question hung in the air as delegates from across Africa and Europe gathered to chart a new course for agricultural cooperation. Government Leadership Sets the Tone Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, delivered a powerful keynote address that framed horticulture as nothing less than an economic cornerstone for the region. “Horticulture is not just an agricultural activity—it is a major pillar of our economy,” Kagwe asserted with the conviction of someone who has witnessed the sector’s evolution firsthand. The numbers he presented told a compelling story of potential waiting to be fully realized. “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.” Kagwe detailed Kenya’s comprehensive approach to modernizing the sector, highlighting the National Horticulture Traceability System, trade agreements ensuring duty-free-quota-free access to EU and UK markets, and strategic partnerships aimed at digitalizing customs procedures while systematically reducing non-tariff barriers that have historically hampered regional trade. Cross-Ministerial Commitment to Value Chain Development The significance of the event was further underscored by the presence of Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, who characterized the forum as a “timely platform” for building more resilient and integrated value chains across COMESA member states. His participation signaled a rare alignment of agricultural and trade priorities within government leadership. “This event showcases COMESA’s readiness to integrate horticulture into regional and global value chains,” Kinyanjui observed. “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.” This cross-ministerial endorsement reflects a growing recognition that agricultural development and trade facilitation are two sides of the same coin—a realization that could dramatically accelerate the region’s economic transformation. COMESA’s Strategic Vision in Action COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe brought institutional weight to the proceedings, commending Kenya for hosting this groundbreaking forum while emphasizing 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,” Kapwepwe stated, her words carrying the authority of someone who has championed regional integration for decades. She provided concrete evidence of progress already underway: “Through EU-funded initiatives like RECAMP, over 500 SMEs—30% of them women- and youth-led—have enhanced competitiveness and secured export contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. These are the tangible results of partnership.” The Proof Is in the Export Numbers The Secretary General revealed a staggering statistic that silenced any remaining skeptics: COMESA’s horticulture exports to the EU already exceed USD 3.3 billion annually, with the Netherlands alone accounting for 28% of the total. These figures represent more than just revenue—they evidence a rapidly maturing value chain driven by regional collaboration and private-sector resilience in the face of global market fluctuations. How did this export volume become possible? Through years of meticulous work harmonizing standards, building capacity among producers, and creating the trade infrastructure that allows African horticulture to meet Europe’s exacting market requirements. European Partnership: Beyond Financing to Technical Cooperation The European Union’s commitment to the partnership was unequivocally expressed by Ms. Lana Zutelija, European Union Team Leader for Environment and Climate, Rural Development, and Trade Cooperation. Her presence and pledge of continued support signaled that the EU views this collaboration as strategic rather than merely developmental. This European engagement comes at a critical juncture, as African producers navigate the dual challenges of meeting stringent EU market standards while adapting to climate change impacts that threaten agricultural productivity across the continent. From Dialogue to Deal-Making The event’s structure reflected its practical orientation, moving beyond ceremonial speeches to concrete business engagement. The agenda featured targeted B2B sessions that connected producers directly with European buyers, policy dialogues addressing regulatory hurdles, and exhibitions showcasing the diversity and quality of COMESA region horticultural products. Parallel discussions tackled pressing contemporary issues including climate resilience strategies, logistics optimization, and digital tools for enhancing supply chain traceability—acknowledging that market access in the 21st century requires more than just quality products; it demands transparent, efficient, and sustainable supply chains. Setting the Stage for Broader Business Engagement The COMESA–EU Horticulture Connect effectively set the stage for the 18th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition, scheduled to open on Tuesday, October 7. With over 300 regional business leaders expected to participate, that larger gathering will provide a platform to showcase innovation, forge additional partnerships, and explore comprehensive strategies to enhance Africa’s position in global trade networks. What makes this sequential approach particularly strategic is how it allows for specialized sectoral engagement (horticulture) to inform broader trade discussions, ensuring that agricultural value chains receive focused attention before being integrated into wider economic conversations. The Human Impact Behind the Headlines Beyond the impressive statistics and strategic frameworks, the real story of the COMESA-EU Horticulture Connect lies in its potential human impact. The emphasis on women and youth-led enterprises recognizes that inclusive growth requires deliberate inclusion of traditionally marginalized groups. The focus on SMEs acknowledges that large corporations alone cannot drive the transformative employment growth that the region desperately needs. As one participant noted during the B2B sessions, “For years, we’ve heard about export potential. Today, we’re actually meeting the buyers and understanding exactly what they need. This changes everything for our cooperative.” A New Chapter in Africa-Europe Agricultural Trade The inaugural COMESA-EU Horticulture Connect Meeting represents more than a successful event—it signals a fundamental shift in how African agricultural producers engage with global markets. By combining high-level policy commitment with practical business matchmaking, addressing both traditional trade barriers and contemporary challenges like digitalization and climate resilience, this initiative has created a template for North-South agricultural partnership in the 21st century. As delegates dispersed from the KICC, there was a palpable sense that something significant had been set in motion. The partnerships formed, the deals initiated, and the policies discussed have the potential to reshape not just horticulture trade flows but the very structure of regional value chains across Eastern and Southern Africa. The true measure of success will be seen in the coming months and years—in the export figures that continue to grow, the SMEs that expand their operations, and the farming communities that experience tangible improvements in their livelihoods. If the energy in Nairobi is any indication, the COMESA-EU horticulture partnership is poised to bear fruit far beyond what any single meeting could capture.
2025-10-06