“We champion innovation, climate-smart solutions, and youth agripreneurship to drive food security & economic growth. Let it ignite collaboration, investment & action for Africa’s agricultural future.” Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, CBS, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development
Kenya has reaffirmed its position as Africa’s agricultural innovation hub, as the 2025 Africa International Agricultural Expo (AIAE) officially opened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.
The four-day event, themed “Improving Agricultural Productivity in Africa through Innovations and Market Access,” has drawn over 150 exhibitors from 10 countries and thousands of visitors keen to explore the continent’s emerging agri-tech frontier.
The expo, organized by Agri-Africa Exhibition Ltd in collaboration with Hongxing International Exhibition Company of China, offers a crucial platform for agribusinesses, farmers, innovators, and policymakers to exchange ideas, showcase new technologies, and forge partnerships that drive Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Speaking during the official opening, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, underscored Kenya’s commitment to scaling agricultural productivity through technology, investment, and inclusion.
He noted that the expo’s theme aligns closely with the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) and President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) — both of which prioritize technology adoption, market linkages, and youth participation as the pillars of Kenya’s next-generation farming systems.
The event features cutting-edge innovations in precision farming, irrigation automation, digital marketplaces, post-harvest handling, and agro-input technology. Companies from China, Israel, the Netherlands, and across Africa are showcasing climate-resilient and data-driven solutions designed to boost yields and reduce production costs.
According to Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the AIAE has become one of the most strategic trade platforms for connecting African agribusinesses with global partners and investors.
“This expo is not just about technology display — it’s about connecting ideas to implementation,” said KNCCI President Dr. Eric Rutto. “Kenya stands at the centre of Africa’s agribusiness transformation, linking innovation to the field and market.”
For Kenya’s horticulture industry — one of the country’s top export earners — the event could not be more timely. Global competition, tightening export standards, and rising production costs are putting pressure on local growers to innovate fast.
AIAE 2025 provides a launchpad for new horticultural technologies — from water-efficient irrigation and AI-driven crop monitoring to cold-chain logistics and traceability systems. These technologies can help Kenyan exporters maintain their global competitiveness while ensuring compliance with EU and UK market requirements.
“Every conversation here is about value — from soil to shelf,” said Caroline Nyambura, a horticultural exporter attending the expo. “We are not just looking at productivity, but at the entire ecosystem that allows our produce to meet global market demands.”
This year’s expo also marks a milestone in China-Africa agricultural cooperation, with over 40 Chinese companies showcasing machinery, fertilizers, greenhouses, and processing technologies tailored for African conditions.
Mr. Zhang Shuhua, representative of Hongxing International Exhibition Company, emphasized that the goal is mutual benefit: “China’s agricultural innovation is expanding rapidly, and Africa is rich in opportunity. Together, we can build food systems that are productive, sustainable, and market-ready.”
The partnership reflects a broader shift under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and Malabo Declaration, which seek to modernize Africa’s food systems and make the continent a net exporter of agricultural commodities by 2030.
Kenya is increasingly seen as the gateway for agri-tech investment in Africa, with a strong innovation ecosystem, digital infrastructure, and regional connectivity.
The Ministry of Agriculture has signalled that future collaboration between government, private sector, and farmers will focus on: expanding digital extension services to reach 3 million farmers by 2026, scaling up climate-smart irrigation systems in semi-arid regions, strengthening agricultural finance and insurance products for smallholders. promoting youth agripreneurship through innovation hubs and startup accelerators.