Makueni County in eastern Kenya has signed a transformative partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to strengthen its horticultural export capacity. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed last week by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, marks the beginning of a major initiative to establish an Export Supply Hub (ESH) aimed at enhancing market access, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing the global competitiveness of local produce.
Makueni is one of Kenya’s leading producers of mangoes, harvesting an estimated 245,000 metric tonnes annually. However, more than 40% of this yield goes to waste, largely due to limited access to international markets. The new Export Supply Hub seeks to reverse this trend by streamlining export processes and opening access to premium global markets—particularly in the European Union (EU).
A Centralized Hub for Quality and Efficiency
The ESH, funded under the EU-Business Environment and Export Enhancing Programme (EU-BEEEP) and implemented by TMA, will serve as a centralized facility for aggregation, cold storage, processing, and packaging. It will also integrate digital traceability systems to track the origin of produce, enhancing transparency and building buyer confidence.
Governor Kilonzo described the project as a “game-changer” not only for Makueni farmers but also for neighboring counties including Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita-Taveta.
“The Export Supply Hub will not only reduce post-harvest losses but also create a sustainable ecosystem that complies with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards,” he said.
Logistics, Training, and Sustainability
The Hub will be constructed on land provided by the County Government and will be connected to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for efficient, sustainable cargo movement. A network of aggregation centers across the region will ensure a consistent supply of high-quality produce. On-site inspection and certification facilities will also streamline compliance with export regulations.
TMA’s Country Director, Lillian Mwai-Ndegwa, welcomed the initiative, calling it a strategic investment in the future of Kenya’s horticultural exports.
“This Hub is about more than just market access—it’s about building resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness for our smallholder farmers,” she said.
As part of the agreement, farmers will receive training and capacity building to improve production practices, meet export standards, and add value to their produce.
Strong Government and Stakeholder Support
The signing ceremony was attended by key county officials, including CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Joyce Mutua, Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyalo and Japheth Kiminza, County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa, and representatives from East Africa Market Development Associates, Subira Mukami and Eunice Ngina.
With this partnership, Makueni County aims to set a new standard for export readiness in Kenya’s horticulture sector—empowering farmers and boosting the regional economy through inclusive, market-driven growth.
