The Government of Kenya has expressed support for the establishment of the Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa (HoCEA), a regional platform aimed at strengthening cooperation, improving market access, and positioning Eastern Africa as a competitive and sustainable horticultural trade hub. This move is expected to enhance the region's horticulture industry, which is one of the most dynamic economic sectors, supporting exports, foreign exchange earnings, employment, and rural livelihoods.
The Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa was launched during the Regional Public Private Dialogue on Horticultural Trade in Nairobi, bringing together governments, private-sector players, horticulture associations, development partners, and other stakeholders. The event was held under the theme 'Positioning Eastern Africa as an Integrated, Competitive, and Sustainable Horticultural Trade Hub.' The council is a private-sector-led regional platform that brings together National Horticulture Associations to advance a common agenda on trade, investment, market access, and competitiveness.
According to Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Trade, Regina Ombam, the launch of HoCEA marked an important step in moving the region from fragmented national efforts towards coordinated action. She noted that horticulture remains one of the region's most dynamic economic sectors, supporting exports, foreign exchange earnings, employment, rural livelihoods, and investment, particularly for women and young people. In 2025, Kenya exported approximately 457,700 tonnes of horticultural produce valued at Sh143.78 billion.
The horticulture industry continues to face challenges that transcend national borders, including high logistics costs, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, lengthy border procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, non-tariff barriers, and fragmented digital systems. These challenges require coordinated solutions involving governments, the private sector, and regional institutions. The PS added that the council is expected to strengthen collective advocacy on standards and policies, promote cross-border trade, support investment mobilisation, and facilitate greater access to technology, finance, knowledge, and markets.
HoCEA Chairperson, Dr Jacqueline Mkindi, said the Council was established to give the region's horticulture industry a stronger collective voice and address challenges that cannot be effectively resolved by individual countries or businesses. The Council's focus areas include improving farmers' access to markets, finance, technology, knowledge, and value-addition opportunities. Eastern Africa should develop an integrated production, processing, and trading ecosystem capable of competing effectively in regional and global markets.
The Government of Kenya also sees opportunities to expand regional and international markets through existing trade arrangements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the EAC regional market. This approach is consistent with the objectives of the East African Community (EAC), particularly efforts to deepen regional integration, remove barriers to trade, strengthen regional value chains, and expand intra-EAC commerce.
The establishment of HoCEA is expected to create a horticulture sector that delivers greater prosperity for farmers, stronger trade linkages, increased investment, and sustainable economic growth across Eastern Africa. The council will seek to ensure that farmers are treated as profitable business players and attract international investment while encouraging stronger domestic investment in horticulture across the region.
Key points
- The Horticulture Council of Eastern Africa was launched to strengthen cooperation and improve market access for the region's horticulture industry.
- The council is expected to strengthen collective advocacy on standards and policies, promote cross-border trade, and support investment mobilisation.
- The establishment of HoCEA aims to create a horticulture sector that delivers greater prosperity for farmers and sustainable economic growth across Eastern Africa.
