Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has launched the Kenya AgriConnect Compact 2025–2030, an 11.4-billion-dollar national agriculture transformation plan aimed at modernizing the sector, attracting private investment and creating more than 2.4 million new and improved jobs by 2030.
The initiative seeks to shift Kenya’s agriculture from largely subsistence-based production to a modern, technology-driven, climate-smart and commercially viable sector.
Speaking during the launch, Kagwe said the compact positions agriculture as a key driver of inclusive economic transformation, rather than a traditional low-income sector.
“The AgriConnect Compact positions agriculture not as a subsistence sector, but as a modern, technology-enabled, climate-smart, and investment-ready engine for inclusive economic transformation,” he said.
The plan places strong emphasis on digitalization and technology, including the rollout of digital extension services, agri-tech platforms to improve market traceability, and advanced processing technologies to reduce post-harvest losses.
Under the framework, the government will commit 3.8 billion dollars in catalytic public funds, which are expected to help unlock about 7.6 billion dollars in private sector investment. The public funding is intended to de-risk the agriculture sector and create conditions for increased private sector participation.
Kagwe said the compact is designed to align public investment with private sector ambition by financing foundational systems and public goods that make the sector more attractive to investors.
“The AgriConnect Compact is a deliberate, strategic, and urgent framework to align public investment with private sector ambition, where public investment finances foundational systems and public goods, reducing risks and creating an enabling environment that attracts large-scale private capital,” he said.
The government hopes to use public-private partnerships, blended finance and credit guarantees to improve agricultural lending and attract investment into key value chains such as dairy, edible oils and horticulture.
Beyond production, the compact also targets market systems transformation through upgraded infrastructure, digital marketplaces and structured trading systems.
The reforms are intended to protect farmers from fragmented value chains and improve their access to reliable markets.
The plan also seeks to reduce costly imports of food staples such as rice and maize by 50 per cent, while increasing high-value agricultural exports by 60 per cent.
According to the ministry, the compact is expected to create 2.482 million new and upgraded jobs by 2030, particularly for young people in agro-processing, logistics, digital supply chains and agribusiness management.
Kagwe said the jobs created under the initiative must translate into real economic opportunities for Kenyans.
“The jobs to be created will be real jobs with dignity. The food security we achieve will mean that no Kenyan goes to bed hungry,” he said.
He added that Kenya now has the strategy, investment framework and political support needed to move from planning to implementation.
“We have the strategy. We have the investment framework. We have the political will. What we need now is private sector action,” Kagwe said.
The launch was attended by Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama Adam, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku and Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Ochieng.
Development partners and private sector organizations present included the World Bank Group, IFAD, African Development Bank, Gates Foundation, AGRA, the US Embassy, the Embassy of the Netherlands, the German Embassy, GiZ, the American Chamber of Commerce, British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KEPSA, KAM and ASNET.
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