CS Kagwe ends US tour with rosy deals to boost Kenya's agriculture

During talks with the United States Africa Trade Desk (USATD) CEO Gavin Van Der Burgh, CS Kagwe CS secured a commitment for Kenyan agricultural products to enter more U.S. retail markets, ensuring visibility on store shelves and stronger demand for Kenyan produce.

On their part, USATD pledged financing support for Kenyan exporters, allowing them to sustain the large export volumes required by expanded retail distribution.

CS Kagwe noted that the financial backing will aid in stabilizing supply chains and empower exporters to scale.

In his address to U.S. stakeholders, CS Kagwe urged American investors to invest in large-scale farming and agro-processing in Kenya, particularly wheat, yellow maize, and rice.

He noted that such investments could transform Kenya from a net importer to an exporter of key staples, thereby improving food security and trade competitiveness.

CS Kagwe also met with Tara Nathan, Executive Vice President of Mastercard, at the Kenya Consulate in New York, where they discussed enabling farmers to register as businesses and gain access to credit.

They agreed that Kenya and Mastercard will look into establishing a centralised Agriculture Information and Resource Centre (AIRC) to consolidate farmer data, increase transparency, and enable tailored financial solutions for producers.

Kenya has also agreed to work with South Carolina State University 1890 Research & Extension to provide training, knowledge exchange, research on improved crop breeds, and extension services.

Kagwe said this partnership would strengthen Kenya’s capacity to produce resilient crops and build a skilled workforce for the agriculture sector.

The mission also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and the South Carolina African American Chamber of Commerce (SCAACC), representing more than 15,000 businesses.

The agreement, signed by Simon Kariuki Nyagah (KNCCI Diaspora Chair) and Stephen Gilchrist (SCAACC Chair) sets the stage for increased trade, investment linkages, and business collaboration between the two regions.