Today Tuesday 29th October 2025, KNCCI National Director Ken Onditi represented Chamber President Dr. Erick Rutto at the 2025 Africa International Agricultural Expo (AIAE), currently taking place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) under the theme “Improving Agricultural Productivity in Africa through Innovations and Market Access.” The Expo has brought together over 100 exhibitors from more than 10 countries, highlighting the continent’s agricultural potential and serving as a hub for technology, trade, and investment in agribusiness. KNCCI is a strategic partner in this event, working alongside Agri-Africa Exhibition Ltd to promote Africa’s agricultural transformation through collaboration and innovation.

In his address, Mr. Onditi reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to driving private sector–led growth in agriculture, noting that “agriculture remains the backbone of Africa’s economy, contributing an average of 30–40% of GDP and employing over 60% of the continent’s population.” He added that in Kenya, the sector contributes over 33% of GDP and supports more than 75% of rural livelihoods, yet it still faces persistent challenges such as climate change, low productivity, limited access to finance, and restricted market access. The Expo, he said, was conceptualized to bridge these gaps by connecting policymakers, financiers, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across Africa to collaborate and forge sustainable solutions.

Mr. Onditi emphasized that the Expo provides a strategic opportunity to showcase innovations driving agricultural transformation, explore cross-border trade and investment, and promote the inclusion of youth and women in agribusiness. He highlighted KNCCI’s active role in facilitating trade and investment, strengthening value chains, and promoting access to agribusiness financing and global markets. He also underscored the Chamber’s collaboration with national and county governments, as well as development partners, to enhance productivity and competitiveness in agriculture.

In conclusion, Mr. Onditi called on investors, innovators, and development partners to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Expo, saying: “Together, we can transform agriculture into a wealth-creating sector for our people and position Africa not just as a food producer, but as a global leader in sustainable agribusiness.” He extended appreciation to Agri-Africa Exhibition Ltd, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and all sponsors, exhibitors, and international partners for their contribution to the success of the event. The event was officially opened by Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture  Dr. Kiprono Ronoh, CBS and was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Kenya H.E. Guo Haiyan, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Kenya, South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya among other diginitaries.