NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 28 – Kenya is targeting a share of the $567 billion global food economy as Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya prepares to debut in Nairobi from May 4–6, 2027.
The platform will connect Kenyan and African food producers directly with global buyers through a single trade gateway, simplifying contract execution, capital mobilisation and cross-border value chains.
The announcement was made at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, formally confirming Kenya as the official African host of the Gulfood platform and positioning the country as a continental entry point into the global food, agribusiness, logistics and innovation economy.
The initiative is anchored in the Kenya–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and aims to accelerate trade flows, attract foreign direct investment and strengthen regional value chains.
“The launch of Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya signals a decisive step in Kenya’s trade and investment journey,” said Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui.
“Anchored by the Kenya–UAE CEPA and supported by structural reforms, this reflects a country mobilising its full value chain for global trade. Kenya is positioning itself as Africa’s gateway — connecting farms, factories and supply corridors to the world,” he added.
The announcement aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to transition Kenya into a first-world economy through agriculture, manufacturing, trade, logistics and technology.
Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya is expected to accelerate agricultural value addition, export competitiveness, agro-industrialisation and SME participation, while reinforcing Kenya’s position as Africa’s leading agrifood trade hub.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the platform will help convert Kenya’s agricultural strength into global opportunity.
“Agriculture contributes more than a quarter of Kenya’s GDP and supports millions of livelihoods. Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya reflects our commitment to connecting Kenyan and African producers to global markets,” Kagwe said.
Gulfood Global Organiser Trixie LohMirmand said Kenya is strategically positioned to anchor Africa’s next phase of food trade growth.
“Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya positions Kenya as the conduit through which African produce and value flow into international markets. This signals a new phase of scale, execution and competitiveness for Africa’s food economy,” she said.
