Weekly News Roundup Nō 2 / Feb 2026
Public–Private Talks Highlight Investment, Integration, and Skills as Keys to Africa’s Agrifood Growth
A public–private dialogue in Nairobi stressed the need for reforms, stronger investment, and deeper regional integration to unlock Africa’s agrifood potential. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development organized the event in partnership with the African Union Commission and the governments of Kenya and Romania. Public and private sector leaders met to discuss sustainable trade and agricultural investment.
Agriculture contributes about 20 percent of Africa’s GDP and employs nearly 60 percent of its workforce. However, agrifood systems attract limited capital. Although foreign direct investment reached USD 94 billion in 2024, investors allocated less than 5 percent to agrifood value chains.
Participants urged governments and investors to direct capital toward processing, logistics, and skills development. Targeted investment can create jobs for youth and women while expanding local value addition. Leaders also pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a key driver of cross-border trade and regional value chains.
Kenyan officials reaffirmed the national importance of agriculture. The sector contributes about 22 percent of GDP and supports nearly 70 percent of employment. Officials called for predictable policies, improved infrastructure, and stronger public–private partnerships. They also promoted value addition as a pathway to higher incomes.
Kenya continues to implement its Digital Agriculture Roadmap to improve farmer access to services and finance. Even so, stakeholders agreed that the country must close the financing gap to secure long-term food security and sustainable transformation.
Source: KILIMO News, 10 February 2026
State Reviews Sh516 Million Nyanza Irrigation Projects to Boost Food Security
The government intensified its food security drive by inspecting major irrigation projects in Homa Bay County. Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho led the tour with county officials.
The team visited the Okundi Dam in Rachuonyo North and the Nyamaji Irrigation Project in Suba North. These projects form part of a Sh516 million investment programme. The government aims to expand irrigated farming, reduce reliance on erratic rainfall, and raise rural incomes.
The Sh164.4 million Okundi Dam will irrigate about 100 acres. It will benefit around 100 households and support more than 10,000 livestock with reliable water. Officials expect the project to strengthen fodder production and the livestock value chain while creating local jobs.
The Sh351 million Nyamaji project will irrigate 1,500 acres. It will directly support about 1,500 households and create wider economic opportunities in the region.
Officials also assessed the Kimira Oluch Irrigation Scheme, now managed by the National Irrigation Authority. They identified infrastructure gaps that limit full rice production. The agency plans to rehabilitate on-farm works and train farmers to increase yields.
These projects support the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritizes food security, drought resilience, and improved rural livelihoods.
Source: The Star, 6 February 2026
Murang’a County Partners with Food4Education to Turn Mango Glut into School Meals
Murang’a County has partnered with Food4Education to address a major mango surplus. Unusual weather patterns caused bumper harvests that overwhelmed local processors. As a result, thousands of farmers risked heavy losses.
The county government intervened to stabilise the market. It now purchases mangoes through the Lower Murang’a Cooperative, which coordinates harvesting and transport. The cooperative delivers the fruit to Food4Education’s warehouse in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
Food4Education will absorb about 1.3 million surplus mangoes. The organization distributes the fruit through school feeding programmes across several counties, including Dishi Na County in Nairobi.
This initiative supports roughly 5,000 smallholder farmers who rely on mango production. At the same time, it improves food security for schoolchildren. Officials say the partnership shows how school feeding programmes can act as flexible market solutions during climate-driven production swings.
Source: The Star, 6 February 2026