By Our Correspondent
Kenya’s meat industry is a key pillar of the national economy, supporting food security, rural livelihoods, and export earnings. However, the sector continues to face inefficiencies along the value chain, inconsistent quality standards, limited access to inputs, and weak coordination among producers and processors.
Feedlot systems have improved productivity and meat quality, while processors link producers to both domestic and export markets. Yet, limited collaboration between these two segments has slowed growth and competitiveness.
To address these challenges, the African Union–Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), through the African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform, is convening a two-day roundtable and deal room session in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
AU-IBAR, the African Union’s agency for animal resources, leads the APMD initiative, a four-year programme launched in January 2025 with support from the Gates Foundation, to promote market-driven growth and sustainable development in Africa’s pastoral livestock sector.
The Naivasha meeting, themed “The Private Sector Roundtable and B2B Deal Room: Strengthening Kenya’s Meat Value Chain,” brings together feedlot operators, meat processors, and policymakers to strengthen private sector participation, improve meat quality and standards, and foster partnerships that enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
According to AU-IBAR, the forum will provide a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, identify gaps and opportunities, and promote structured commercial linkages through a facilitated deal room to encourage investment and formal supply contracts.
Discussions will also examine policy, regulatory, and technical challenges, while exploring strategies to strengthen certification, traceability, and coordination for greater efficiency and competitiveness across the meat value chain.
Expected outcomes include stronger partnerships within the meat value chain, new business linkages, investment commitments, and a policy brief outlining key challenges and practical solutions. Organisers also plan to develop an action plan to replicate successful models in other regions.