by Anita Nkirote/anita.nkirote@hortinews.co.ke
Kenyan miraa (khat) farmers and exporters have a new reason to celebrate as Djibouti officially opens its market to Kenyan miraa, following a series of successful bilateral trade engagements between the two nations.
In a press statement released by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) on July 23, 2025, the agency confirmed that this milestone was achieved after a Trade Mission to Djibouti in October 2024 and a reciprocal visit by a Djibouti delegation to Kenya in November 2024. The outcome of these diplomatic exchanges is a new export opportunity for Kenyan traders looking to diversify their markets.
“This new development marks a major milestone in diversifying Kenya’s miraa export markets,” stated Dr. Bruno Linyiru, AFA Director General. He urged exporters to capitalize on the opportunity and link up with buyers in Djibouti.
However, exporters must adhere to strict compliance protocols. These include obtaining relevant permits, meeting product standards as per Djibouti’s import regulations, and aligning with Kenyan regulatory requirements to ensure smooth trade operations.
Miraa, a critical cash crop in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, supports thousands of livelihoods. The opening of the Djibouti market is expected to boost incomes and stabilize the sector after previous trade setbacks in other markets.