Kenya’s Vision for Food Security: Home-Grown Solutions to Tackle Hunger

Four Kenyan agribusinesses have been chosen among 20 finalists for an innovative initiative funded by the New Zealand government, focused on addressing food insecurity and reducing post-harvest losses in Africa.

The Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A)

Launched by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the HGSA-A aims to empower companies from nine member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The Kenyan firms selected for this inaugural cohort represent a diverse range of agriculture-focused sectors.

Innovative Agribusinesses Leading the Way

The selected Kenyan companies include:

• Nyota Limited: Specializes in processing indigenous foods into frozen and shelf-stable products.
• BioAfriq Energy: Focuses on developing solar drying hubs for smallholder farmers.
• Kirima Fresh Dairies: Produces a range of dairy products including milk, cheese, and yoghurt.
• Wedgehut Foods: Sources and processes fresh potatoes, catering specifically to institutional markets.

Comprehensive Support for Selected Companies

Participating firms will benefit from various forms of support, including advisory services, investment readiness assistance, and facilitation of cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. Furthermore, companies may have access to funding upon successful completion of program requirements.

Broader Impact Across Africa

The HGSA-A program includes firms from countries such as Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Somalia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Burundi, and Madagascar. Among these notable organizations is Drought Guard Africa from Uganda, which provides solar-powered irrigation to over 120,000 smallholder farmers, and Zambia’s Stewards Globe Limited, known for supplying climate-resilient seeds to more than 150,000 smallholder farmers.

Funding and Collaboration

This groundbreaking initiative is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and executed through the E4Impact Africa Foundation, in collaboration with the FIE-Consult Consortium. Through this partnership, the HGSA-A not only aims to enhance food security but also fosters innovation and sustainability across the continent.