Kenya is stepping onto the global stage as Africa’s premier agribusiness hub, with Nairobi set to host the first-ever Gulfood360 Africa Kenya from May 4–6, 2027. The landmark food and beverage sourcing event will mark the debut of the globally recognised Gulfood platform on African soil and is expected to unlock billions of dollars in investment, pushing Kenya’s agricultural sector into a new phase of growth.
Gulfood360 Africa Kenya to Open Global Market Access
At the centre of this push is Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, who has positioned Gulfood360 Africa Kenya as a gateway for transformative capital flows into agriculture and manufacturing.
“This is not just an exhibition,” CS Kinyanjui emphasized. “It is a gateway to global markets, connecting our farms and factories directly to the world’s largest food buyers. Through Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya, we are accelerating industrial growth, unlocking agribusiness potential, and creating countless opportunities for Kenyans.”
The event aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places agriculture, manufacturing, trade, logistics, and technology at the heart of national development. Through Gulfood360 Africa Kenya, the government aims to convert agricultural potential into high-value, export-led growth.
A key pillar supporting Gulfood360 Africa Kenya is the Infrastructure Fund, designed to attract long-term financing for logistics and transport projects crucial to agribusiness.
Plans include expanding Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, modernising the Port of Mombasa, upgrading regional airports, and building trade corridors linking Eastern and Central Africa. These upgrades are expected to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and make Kenya more competitive globally.
Kenya’s sustainability credentials also strengthen the case for Gulfood360 Africa Kenya. Over 90 per cent of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources, including geothermal, wind, solar, and hydro.
This ensures reliable and affordable green energy for producers and investors participating in Gulfood360 Africa Kenya, alongside the country’s growing technology ecosystem and strategic location.
Other leaders reinforced the importance of Gulfood360 Africa Kenya to the economy. Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, said agriculture contributes more than 25 per cent of GDP and supports millions of livelihoods. He noted that Gulfood360 Africa Kenya will help modernise farming, expand processing, and open new global markets.
Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology, described Gulfood360 Africa Kenya as a signal of Kenya’s commitment to food security and green industrialisation. He linked the event to wider innovation goals, saying it strengthens Kenya’s position as a regional trade and technology hub.
Backed by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology, and the Agriculture and Food Authority, Gulfood360 Africa Kenya represents a major partnership between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.
Anchored in the Kenya–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Gulfood360 Africa Kenya is expected to boost trade flows, attract foreign direct investment, and integrate Africa more deeply into global food markets.
As preparations begin, Gulfood360 Africa Kenya is shaping up to be a defining moment for the country mobilising billions in funding, expanding industrial capacity, and positioning Kenya at the centre of Africa’s fast-growing food economy.
