Makueni County, Kenya, 05 May 2025 – The County Government of Makueni and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an Export Supply Hub (ESH) set to transform horticultural exports originating from the county as well as the neighbouring counties of Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita-Taveta. The Hub is expected to unlock new global market opportunities, particularly within the European Union (EU).
The partnership, under the EU-funded Business Environment and Export Enhancing Programme (EU-BEEEP) implemented by TMA, will resolve bottlenecks related to post-harvest losses that producers and exporters face. The ESH will serve as a centralised facility for aggregation, processing, and provide a sustainable export ecosystem that complies with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards and sustainability requirements. The ESH will also offer on-site inspection and certification services to meet export standards.
Makueni County is one of Kenya’s leading producers of mangoes, producing an estimated 245,000 Metric Tonnes annually. However, over 40% of the mangoes go to waste due to lack of markets. In addition, the county is also emerging as one of the leading producers of avocado and French beans. However, while the region faces a substantial loss of the target products due to the lack of a market, the EU presents a huge market opportunity.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Mutula Kilonzo Junior, CBS, Governor of Makueni County, said: “Agriculture remains the backbone of our county’s economy, and this MoU is a major step towards unlocking its full potential. By investing in targeted export systems like the Export Supply Hub, we are not only reducing opportunities for post-harvest losses, but also ensuring our farmers have better access to international markets, fetch higher prices, and improve their livelihoods.”
The Hub, to be established on land provided by the County Government, will feature digital systems for traceability of the produce to boost buyer confidence and will be equipped with infrastructure for sorting, grading, cold storage, processing, and packaging of mangoes and vegetables. An integrated cargo handling system will also link the facility to the Standard Gauge Railway to facilitate sustainable shipments. Aggregation points at producer levels will ensure consistent supplies to the Hub.
Lillian Mwai-Ndegwa, TMA Kenya Country Director remarked, “This partnership is aligned with the goals of the programme which include improving the business environment and strengthening Kenya’s export capacity. Supporting the Makueni Export Supply Hub means we are not only expanding global market access for mangoes, but also supporting the growth of a more resilient, sustainable, and competitive export ecosystem that benefits smallholder producers and exporters.”
As part of the agreement, farmers will be equipped with the skills and training needed to meet export market demands through improved production and value addition. Kenya’s top horticultural exports include vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers, with vegetables accounting for the largest volume. In 2024, the country earned approximately $1.06 billion from horticulture exports. The operationalisation of the ESH within Makueni County is anticipated to yield significant outcomes, including but not limited to, the attraction of leveraged investments, the creation of employment opportunities, and the expansion of both the volume and value of agricultural exports from the region. These outcomes will contribute to the enhancement of the local economy and facilitate increased integration of the region into international trade networks.
