Kenya unveils KES1.08trn agri-food investment plan to create 2m jobs

The Kenyan government has launched a KES1.081 trillion National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP 2026–2030), aimed at transforming the country’s agricultural sector, strengthening food security and creating more than two million jobs over the next five years.

The investment framework was unveiled on Tuesday by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, during the opening of the third Financing Agri Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) Summit in Nairobi.

Mueke, who represented the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Mutahi Kagwe, said the plan forms part of the second phase of implementing Kenya’s Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019–2029).

According to him, the investment will modernise agricultural value chains, expand irrigation, build resilient food systems, increase farmers’ incomes and position Kenya as a leading regional hub for sustainable agri-food investment.

He said the five-year investment package would be funded through a partnership involving the national and county governments, the private sector and development partners.

Under the financing model, the Kenyan government and county governments will provide 35 per cent of the funding, while the private sector is expected to contribute 45 per cent and development partners the remaining 20 per cent.

The launch coincided with renewed calls for the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration, which seeks to promote sustainable food production, climate resilience, agro-industrialisation and investment across Africa between 2026 and 2035.

Held under the theme, “Towards Sustainable Financial Architecture for Africa’s Food Systems,” the FINAS Summit brought together policymakers, development partners and private sector leaders to discuss innovative financing models, climate-smart agriculture and investment strategies for Africa’s food systems.

FINAS Summit Director, Dr Charity Mutegi, said the conference was focused on moving beyond discussions to practical implementation, including the establishment of a private sector-led agricultural finance working group.

Also speaking at the summit, AGRA Vice President for Programme Delivery, Prof. Hamadi Iddi Boga, urged African governments and stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the Kampala Declaration through increased investment and stronger institutions.

Representatives of Ireland, Germany, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other development partners also called for greater public and private investment to build resilient, climate-smart and inclusive food systems across the continent.