Eastern African horticulture associations from nine countries have formed a regional council to address challenges facing the sector. The Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA) was launched in Nairobi, bringing together national horticulture associations to coordinate efforts on trade, logistics, market access, investment, and standards. This move aims to improve the region's position in international markets and increase access to new markets. The council will focus on issues affecting horticultural producers and exporters across national borders.
The launch of HoCEA comes as the sector faces significant challenges, including trade barriers, poor logistics, and limited access to international markets. According to Matthew Komen, Deputy Director for Internal Trade at Kenya's State Department for Trade, the problems facing the sector require cooperation between governments and businesses across the region. Kenya, a major player in the sector, exports around 467,000 tonnes of horticultural produce worth $1.143 billion annually. Improvements in supporting systems are crucial to the sector's growth.
The council's formation is a response to the need for a coordinated approach to addressing sector challenges. HoCEA will focus on five priority areas: market access and trade facilitation, cold-chain infrastructure and trade corridors, digital trade and traceability, inclusive value-chain development, and climate resilience and sustainable production. The council's Secretary General, Clement Tulezi, said the launch brought together representatives from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi to discuss ways of improving the movement of horticultural produce across borders.
The Regional Public-Private Dialogue on Horticultural Logistics and Trade Facilitation, which took place on September 22, 2026, highlighted the need for cooperation and improved logistics. Komen emphasized the importance of using existing trade agreements, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to expand horticultural exports and retain more value within the region through processing, packaging, and branding. The discussions are expected to result in a Nairobi Horticulture Action Roadmap setting out priority actions, responsibilities, and timelines.
Disruptions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and higher logistics costs have exposed weaknesses in regional supply chains. Anataria Uwamariya, Director of Business Competitiveness at TradeMark Africa, noted that the sector needed improvements in logistics, climate resilience, digital trade, and its integration into the AfCFTA. The council's chairperson, Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, said HoCEA would focus on issues that affect horticultural producers and exporters across national borders.
The launch of HoCEA and the ongoing dialogue aim to strengthen the region's position in international markets. The council's efforts will focus on improving access to markets, finance, technology, and value-addition opportunities. The sector's growth is critical to the region's economy, and the council's initiatives are expected to have a positive impact on the industry. The Nairobi Horticulture Action Roadmap is expected to be finalized by September 23.
The formation of HoCEA and the ongoing dialogue demonstrate the region's commitment to addressing sector challenges. The council's success will depend on the cooperation of governments, businesses, and stakeholders across the region. With a clear focus on priority areas, HoCEA is poised to make a positive impact on the sector and improve the region's position in international markets.
Key points
- The Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA) has been launched to address challenges facing the sector, including trade barriers and poor logistics.
- The council will focus on five priority areas, including market access and trade facilitation, and climate resilience and sustainable production.
- The sector's growth is critical to the region's economy, and the council's initiatives are expected to have a positive impact on the industry.
