Kenya launches US$8.4B agri food investment plan as FINAS 2026 opens
The five year plan aims to create more than two million jobs, raise farm incomes and increase investment in Kenya‘s food system.
KENYA – Kenya has launched a KES1.081 trillion (US$8.36 billion) National Agri Food Systems Investment Plan for 2026 to 2030, setting out a five year funding plan to strengthen food production, expand irrigation and create more than two million jobs.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development announced the plan during the opening of the third Financing Agri Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) Summit 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi. Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, led the launch on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
The investment plan forms the second phase of Kenya’s Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019 to 2029). It aims to strengthen food security, improve agricultural value chains, increase irrigation, raise farmers’ incomes and attract more investment into the sector.
“I am equally proud that the 2026 FINAS Summit provides the platform for the official launch of the National Agri food Systems Investment Plan (NASIP 2026 to 2030). At the heart of NASIP is a fully costed investment framework of KES 1.081 trillion over the next five years,” said Mueke.
He said the government and county governments will provide 35 percent of the funding, while the private sector will contribute 45 percent. Development and bilateral partners will provide the remaining 20 percent.
“This investment will be mobilized through a strategic partnership in which the Government of Kenya, together with County Governments, will contribute 35 percent. I am calling on the commitment of the County Governments, through the Council of Governors, to achieve this goal. The private sector is expected to contribute 45 percent, and the Development and bilateral partners’ share is 20 percent of the total investment envelope,” he added.
The launch came as African countries begin putting the 2026 to 2035 CAADP Kampala Strategy and Action Plan into action. During the summit, delegates are discussing blended finance, climate smart financing, investment models and experiences from countries including Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia.
FINAS Summit Director Dr. Charity Mutegi said the meeting continues to focus on turning discussions into action.
“In its third edition, FINAS 2026 has continued to advance sustainable finance as a lever for meaningful change in Africa, laying ground for the private sector led agriculture finance working group,” she said.
Several speakers called for stronger cooperation between governments, investors and development partners. Ireland’s Ambassador to Kenya, Caitríona Ingoldsby, said partnerships remain important for improving Africa’s food systems, while AGRA Vice President for Programme Delivery Hamadi Iddi Boga urged countries to turn commitments into practical investments that benefit farmers.
Maren Kneller of the German Embassy in Kenya and FSD Kenya CEO Rashmi Pillai also called for greater public and private financing, with a strong focus on smallholder farmers and micro, small and medium sized enterprises.
The investment plan builds on Kenya’s recent efforts to increase agricultural production. Earlier this year, the government launched a KES650 million (US$5 million) solar powered irrigation project at the Ahero irrigation scheme in Kisumu County.
The project will expand irrigated land by about 400 hectares and is expected to create 5,000 direct jobs, 10,000 indirect jobs and generate KES250 million (US$1.93 million) in annual income once fully operational.
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