Nairobi: Gulfood, the world's most influential food and beverage sourcing platform, has announced its expansion into Africa with the launch of Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya, set to debut in Nairobi from 4th to 6th May 2027. The announcement, made at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, formalises Kenya's selection as the official African host of the Gulfood platform, positioning the country as Africa's principal gateway into the global food, agribusiness, logistics, and innovation economy.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative was launched under the unified endorsement of Kenya's Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology. Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya represents a landmark strategic partnership between Kenya and the UAE, anchored in the Kenya-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The initiative is designed to accelerate trade flows, attract foreign direct investment, strengthen regional value chains, and integrate Africa more deeply into global food markets at unprecedented scale.
Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), highlighted the significance of this launch, stating, 'The launch of Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya signals a decisive step in Kenya's trade and investment journey. Anchored by the Kenya-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and supported by structural reforms, this moment reflects a country mobilising its full value chain for global trade. Kenya is positioning itself as Africa's gateway - connecting farms, factories, and supply corridors to the world.'
Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, EGH-, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, commented on the importance of agriculture to Kenya's economy, which contributes over a quarter of the country's GDP and supports millions of livelihoods. He noted that the event reflects Kenya's commitment to converting its agricultural strength into a global opportunity, connecting Kenyan and African producers with the rest of the world.
Trixie LohMirmand, Global Organiser of Gulfood, expressed optimism about Kenya's role in the global market, stating, 'Kenya is built for global competitiveness, and Africa is at its inflexion point. Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya positions the country as the conduit through which African produce and value flow into international markets. This expansion sends a clear signal that Africa's food economy is entering a new phase of scale, execution, and competitiveness - and Kenya is leading that charge.'
The Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya event offers global buyers direct access to Africa's rapidly expanding food supply base through a single, trusted trade gateway. From Nairobi, contracts will be executed, capital mobilised, and cross-border value chains activated, translating global demand into enduring opportunity across Africa.
Kenya's selection as host is supported by strategic investments in world-class infrastructure and logistics, such as the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, upgrades to regional airports, modernisation of the Port of Mombasa, and the development of multimodal trade corridors linking Eastern and Central Africa.
A key element of Kenya's competitiveness is its leadership in green energy and climate-smart development. Over 90 percent of Kenya's electricity is generated from clean sources, providing agribusiness, manufacturing, and logistics investors with access to reliable, low-cost, and low-carbon energy, which is increasingly important in a world focused on sustainability and ESG standards.
Kenya is strategically positioned within Africa's agrifood sector, with Sub-Saharan Africa holding over 60 percent of the world's uncultivated arable land. Kenya serves as a gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a vast single market of over 1.4 billion people. As a leading producer and exporter of tea, coffee, horticulture, livestock, and processed foods, Kenya offers a natural entry point for global firms seeking scale, diversification, and resilient supply chains in Africa's rapidly growing food economy, projected to reach $567.31 billion by 2032.