Kagwe Urges African Nations to Challenge Tariff Barriers Limiting Value-Added Agricultural ExportsUrges African Nations to Challenge Tariff Barriers Limiting Value-Added Agricultural Exports

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called on African countries to unite in challenging tariff escalation, arguing that the long-standing trade practice continues to undermine the continent’s efforts to industrialise and earn more from its agricultural products.

Speaking during discussions on agricultural trade and market access, Kagwe said many developed economies admit raw agricultural commodities at little or no import duty but impose substantially higher tariffs on processed products. He noted that the system discourages value addition in producing countries and limits opportunities for farmers, processors, and exporters to benefit from higher-value markets.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic transformation by remaining largely an exporter of raw commodities while importing finished products at higher prices. He said the continent must push for fairer international trading rules that reward investment in local processing and manufacturing rather than penalising it.

Kagwe argued that expanding agro-processing industries would create jobs, increase export earnings, and strengthen rural economies. He added that encouraging local value addition would also help reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality, and enable African producers to compete more effectively in global markets.

Kenya has increasingly prioritised value addition across several agricultural value chains, including coffee, tea, horticulture, macadamia, dairy, cotton, and leather. The government has encouraged investments in processing facilities, improved storage infrastructure, and manufacturing capacity as part of broader efforts to increase the contribution of agriculture to economic growth.

Trade experts have long identified tariff escalation as one of the major obstacles facing developing economies. While raw products often enter international markets with minimal duties, processed goods such as roasted coffee, packaged tea, fruit juices, cocoa products, and refined vegetable oils can attract considerably higher tariffs. This reduces the competitiveness of exporters seeking to move beyond primary commodity sales.

The issue has featured prominently in international trade negotiations, with African governments advocating for more equitable market access under global and regional trade agreements. Policymakers argue that removing tariff barriers on processed agricultural products would encourage industrial investment, create employment opportunities, and allow producing countries to capture a larger share of value generated along global supply chains.

Kagwe also urged African governments to strengthen regional cooperation, saying a coordinated position would give the continent greater influence in trade negotiations. He noted that initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area provide an opportunity to expand intra-African trade while supporting regional agro-processing industries.

As governments continue to pursue agricultural transformation strategies, stakeholders say addressing tariff escalation will remain critical to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s farm sector. Greater access for processed agricultural products, they argue, would help shift the continent from exporting raw materials to building competitive industries that generate higher incomes for farmers and stronger economic growth.