Kenya Secures U.S. Trade Boost as CS Kagwe Seals Investment Deals

Key Highlights

• Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe concluded a U.S. mission securing new export opportunities and financing for Kenyan farmers.
• U.S. Africa Trade Desk pledged to expand Kenyan products into U.S. retail markets and provide financial backing for exporters.
• Kagwe urged American investors to invest in large-scale farming and agro-processing in Kenya, focusing on wheat, maize, and rice.
• Talks with MasterCard explored creating a centralized Agriculture Information and Resource Centre (AIRC) to improve farmer access to credit.
• Kenyan agricultural colleges to gain from training and research collaboration with South Carolina State University.
• A new MOU between KNCCI and the South Carolina African American Chamber of Commerce will boost trade and business linkages.
• High-level private sector delegation accompanied Kagwe, underscoring Kenya’s readiness to tap U.S. opportunities.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has wrapped up a high-level agriculture and trade mission in the United States that secured new export opportunities, financing pledges, and investment partnerships for Kenya’s farming sector.

At the center of the mission was an agreement with the U.S. Africa Trade Desk (USATD), whose CEO Gavin Van Der Burgh confirmed support for Kenyan products to reach more U.S. retail stores. USATD also committed to financing Kenyan exporters, ensuring they can sustain the large volumes required for expanded retail distribution.

Kagwe said the financial backing would help stabilize supply chains and empower Kenyan exporters to grow their businesses. He further invited U.S. investors to channel funds into large-scale farming and agro-processing in Kenya, particularly in wheat, yellow maize, and rice, crops he said could shift the country from a net importer to a regional breadbasket.

In New York, the CS also held discussions with Tara Nathan, Executive Vice President of MasterCard, focusing on farmer financing. The two sides agreed to explore the establishment of a centralized Agriculture Information and Resource Centre (AIRC) to consolidate farmer data, improve transparency, and unlock credit opportunities for producers.

Kenya’s agricultural training institutions are also set to benefit from new academic and research ties. A collaboration with South Carolina State University’s 1890 Research & Extension program will see training, knowledge exchange, and research on resilient crop varieties and extension services introduced in Kenya.

The trade mission also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and the South Carolina African American Chamber of Commerce (SCAACC), representing over 15,000 businesses. The agreement is expected to strengthen trade, investment, and business linkages between Kenya and the U.S.

Kagwe was accompanied by a private sector delegation that included Tea Board of Kenya CEO Willy Mutai, KTDA Chair Geoffrey Kirundi, KTDA CEO Wilson Muthaura, MACNUT Chair Jane Maigua, KETEPA MD John Ngatia, and representatives from Tropical Nuts and Kipchimchim group, highlighting Kenya’s readiness to seize emerging U.S. opportunities.