Section 1: Executive Summary The landscape of Value Chain Finance (VCF) in Kenya represents one of the most dynamic and pivotal arenas for economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa. With an estimated market size for supply chain finance reaching approximately KES 2.8 trillion ($24.8 billion), the sector is not merely a niche financial offering but a critical engine for growth,…
MBEYA, Tanzania – In the fertile southern highlands of Tanzania, a strategic push is underway to transform the country from a regional breadbasket into a continental powerhouse. For years, the abundant maize and rice harvests from these green corridors have held the promise of prosperity. Yet, a formidable barrier has often stood between local producers and lucrative international markets:…
A Sweet Revolution Blooms in East Africa’s Hidden Paradise By Kilimokwanza.org Team October 2025 In the misty embrace of the Kilombero Valley, where the Udzungwa Mountains rise like ancient guardians over lush, emerald fields, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Here, under the dappled shade of banana groves and towering avocado trees, smallholder farmers cradle cocoa pods the size of…
Executive Summary The Kenyan potato sector stands at a pivotal inflection point. As the nation’s second most important food crop, it is fundamental to food security and provides livelihoods for an estimated 3.5 million people. However, the sector is defined by a deep and persistent productivity gap, with average national yields languishing at 7–12 tonnes per hectare, a fraction…
Kilimokwanza.org Section 1: Executive Summary Kenya faces a significant economic and food security challenge encapsulated in its “Potato Paradox”: a nation with a burgeoning consumer demand for potatoes, particularly for processed products like french fries and crisps, that is chronically unable to meet this demand with its domestic supply. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of this paradox, identifying…
According to Sheena Raikundalia, Chief Growth Officer at Kuza One, a deep dive into Kenya’s potato supply chain reveals a system in which farmers, processors, and the national economy are all losing out—despite the country’s ravenous appetite for the humble chip. NAIROBI, KENYA – In Kenya, few things unite the culinary landscape like “chips,” the beloved local term for…
By Elizabeth Wanjiku In Kenya’s highlands, where potatoes rival maize as the second-most important staple, two varieties dominate the conversation—and the market. One is a homegrown hustler, the other a foreign-bred strategist. Together, they’ve carved a potato economy worth over KES 50 billion a year, feeding millions and anchoring a complex value chain. This is the tale of Shangi…
Kilimokwanza.org Correspodent The world of agricultural science mourns the loss of one of its most formidable figures, Dr. Lusike Wasilwa, who passed away on September 20, 2025, while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital. Her passing marks the end of an era for agricultural research and development in Kenya and across Africa. Dr Wasilwa’s career was not merely a…
How the EAC can close the soil–food security gap with track-specific policy, AgriTech, and scalable soil stewardship. The East African Community (EAC) stands at a pivotal moment. The intertwined crises of soil degradation and food insecurity risk eroding decades of development and destabilizing the region’s future. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of soil stewardship and its direct relationship…
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Soil scientists from across Tanzania are invited to a crucial virtual meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025, to discuss the future of the discipline in the country and strengthen collaboration within the field. The meeting, scheduled from 2:45 PM to 4:00 PM EAT, will be held via Google Meet. The online gathering aims to…