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Enhancing kenyan horticultural exports: COLEACP's new EU programme

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COLEACP’s new Nairobi-based programme, signed on 30 April, aims to increase the resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability of Kenyan horticultural value chains. The four-year, €5 million programme financed by the European Union through the EU delegation in Kenya, will aim to secure a lasting improvement in the capacity of all stakeholders in the Kenyan horticultural sector to adapt to evolving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS), commercial, social and environmental requirements on local, regional and international markets. Implemented by a programme management unit based in Nairobi, activities are supported by a growing network of local experts in East Africa, and are based on COLEACP’s proven system and tools for training, technical support and institutional capacity-building.Priorities have been informed by a detailed consultation process with key stakeholders in Kenyan horticulture from both private and public sectors. The main priorities are to strengthen the private and public sectors, more precisely to build the capacities and skills of :
  • micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),
  • business membership organisations (BMOs) in the areas of SPS and market requirements,
  • competent authorities supporting Kenya’s horticultural sector.

The programme will provide individual, demand-led support to MSMEs in the fruit and vegetable sectors; all horticultural sectors, including cut flowers, will benefit through support to their BMOs.

This new venture continues COLEACP’s trademark promotion of engagement between the public and private sectors, and builds on the association’s 20-year history in Kenya through its past programmes and the two ongoing intra-ACP Fit For Market programmes.

The programme is launching in the fast-changing context of COVID-19. The need to strengthen food production and distribution systems, and to increase the resilience of agri-food MSMEs to protect the health and livelihoods of employees, producers and communities, has never been greater. COLEACP’s programme activities aim to be agile and responsive to the ongoing urgent need to shift the focus and delivery methods for capacity-building activities over the coming months. The programme, contracted by the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya, forms part of the Regional Indicative Programme for Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean 2014–2020, with funding from the 11th European Development Fund.