Kenyan agri-food firms are reporting gains in innovation, market access and business growth after completing a 10-month acceleration programme under a Kenya–France partnership.
The programme, part of the Farm’Innov initiative, supported
more than 14 companies drawn from across key value chains, including dairy,
meat, horticulture and food processing. It seeks to strengthen food security
and competitiveness in the sector.
Through presentation of their progress at the French
Embassy, participants narrated the intensive training they underwent,
mentorship and international exposure in France designed to help them scale
operations and adopt more sustainable practices.
Innovation project manager Blandine Fortin said Farm’Innov is
an is a technical assistance and cooperation project between France and Kenya
and their aim is to support companies in their innovation.
“The main objective of this project is to strengthen food
security and food sovereignity in Kenya as well as build a sustainable relationship
between the two countries,” Fortin said.
To do so, she added, they have developed a tailor made
action plan divided into two targets — the private sector and agrifood
companies — for which we have built an acceleration programme made of five
modules to help thenm run better and innovate.
Launched in 2023 and backed by Agence Française de
Développement, the initiative is implemented by Valorial as part of broader
cooperation between Kenya and France in agriculture and food systems.
AFD deputy director Peter Addo said through the support of
the French government, they financed the project to the tune of €1 million.
“Over the past three years, we have seen a lot of progress
in this programme. At the conclusion of this project, we have heard testimonies
of different beneficiaries highlighting the key areas they have benefitted
from. This is going to improve the competitiveness of Kenya’s agri-business
companies and boost inclusion,” Addo said, adding that the programme has also
resulted in more jobs.
According to project organisers, the selected firms were
chosen from a competitive pool of more than 30 applicants and enrolled in a
tailored acceleration programme that ran until early 2026.
The beneficiaries were Camino Ruiz Agencies that deals in tilapia
and value-added fish products, Dheiton Ventures who do agrifood processing,
school-feeding organisation Food4Education, Great Lakes Feeds animal nutrition
and feed manufacturing company and Instaveg who are involved in horticulture
and vegetable supply chain.
Other are Mwanga Millers, Ngamia Milk Suppliers, Ngong Veg
Ltd, Platinum Animal Nutrition, Porkers Delight, Sand River Ranch, Sangare
Gardens (dairy farming and produce), Shiffa Chicks and Sweet’n’Dried who specialize
in composite flour and healthy, dried food products.
The support combined technical consultancy, structured
training modules and one-on-one mentoring, with about 30 acceleration modules
delivered by a network of French and Kenyan experts.
These included both group sessions and customised coaching
aligned to each company’s specific needs, from production efficiency to product
development and market strategy.
The programme also incorporated a 360-degree diagnostic
approach to assess each company’s strengths and gaps, allowing for targeted
interventions to improve business models and operational performance.
Beyond technical training, one of the most significant
benefits cited by participants was exposure to international markets and best
practices. Executives from the Kenyan firms took part in immersion visits to
France, where they engaged with different agrifood companies, research centres
and innovation hubs.
Beneficiaries said these exchanges offered insights into
advanced food processing, quality standards and supply chain management, while
also opening avenues for collaboration. The visits were complemented by
reciprocal engagements, with French experts travelling to Kenya to provide
hands-on support.
At the end of the programme, organisers said the companies
had strengthened their business models, developed new or improved products and
gained access to new market opportunities.
A key milestone was a trade convention held in Nairobi in
March 2026, which brought together participating firms and local distributors.
The event facilitated business-to-business meetings, product
showcases and discussions on market entry requirements, helping to address one
of the biggest barriers facing small and medium-sized agri-food enterprises:
access to markets.
The programme also created pathways for partnerships with
international investors and suppliers, strengthening their ability to expand
beyond local markets.
The initiative targeted a diverse group of businesses,
including companies involved in animal nutrition, vegetable production, dairy
supply chains and value-added food products. By focusing on enterprises across
different segments, the programme aimed to strengthen entire value chains
rather than isolated actors.
Organisers say the broader objective was to build a more
resilient and competitive agri-food sector capable of supporting Kenya’s food
security ambitions.
Farm’Innov specifically emphasised innovation,
sustainability and value addition, encouraging companies to adopt
climate-resilient practices and circular economy approaches, such as reducing
waste and transforming agricultural by-products.
The programme also placed importance on inclusive growth,
with a focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering job creation in
the agri-food sector.
The initiative comes at a time when Kenya’s agriculture
sector faces mounting pressure from climate shocks, post-harvest losses and
limited value addition. By strengthening the capacity of local enterprises,
Farm’Innov aims to reduce reliance on imports while boosting domestic
production and processing.
