📊 Market Opportunity & 🇰🇪 Why Kenya?

📊 Market Opportunity

The global demand for food — especially natural, export-grade crops — is rising sharply. IIGAD is strategically positioned to take advantage of this trend by farming in Kenya and exporting to global buyers.

🌍 Global Trends Driving Demand

• 🌱 Rising demand for healthy, plant-based foods (e.g. sesame, peanuts, ginger)

• 🌐 Countries reducing dependence on China and India for agricultural imports

• 🛒 Food security is now a global investment priority

• 📈 Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to become a top agricultural supplier by 2030

🇰🇪 Why Kenya?

Kenya is one of the most export-friendly agricultural countries in Africa, thanks to:

• ✅ AGOA (U.S.) – African Growth and Opportunity Act allows duty-free exports to the U.S.

• ✅ EPA (EU) – Economic Partnership Agreements give Kenya low-tariff access to Europe

• ✅ Fertile soil and stable climate for 2–3 crop cycles per year

• ✅ Functional ports (Mombasa) and airports (Nairobi)

📦 Crop Demand Snapshot

Crop	Global Use Case	Key Importers
Sesame	Tahini, oil, health foods	China, Europe, U.S., UAE
Peanuts	Protein snacks, peanut butter	U.S., India, Africa
Onions	Daily cooking staple	East Africa, India

These crops are low-risk, store well, and have strong buyer interest year-round.

✅ Why This Market Is Underserved

Most small farmers in Kenya:

• Rely on middlemen who pay low prices

• Have no access to export logistics

• Cannot scale or rotate crops efficiently

IIGAD is building a direct export farm model that cuts out inefficiencies and maximizes land ROI.