Kenya strikes US$430M agricultural investment deal with China
Two major deals signed in Beijing aim to boost poultry and aloe vera production alongside apple and pear farming in Kenya.
KENYA – Kenya has secured US$430 million in agricultural investment from China, a move expected to improve local food production and attract more foreign capital into the country’s farming sector.
President William Ruto oversaw the signing of the deals on Wednesday, April 23, during the Kenya-China Economic Forum held in Beijing.
The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Trade, the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), and the Chinese government.
Projects in Kajiado and Baringo Counties
The first agreement, worth US$30 million, was signed with Shandong Jialejia Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology. The Chinese company plans to establish a poultry farm in Kajiado County.
The facility, which will sit on a 40.5-hectare site, is expected to accommodate up to 500,000 laying hens. Officials say this project will help Kenya reduce its reliance on egg imports and improve access to affordable protein for local households.
“We are committed to strengthening our food systems. This partnership will help meet domestic demand while creating employment,” said President Ruto during the forum.
The second and much larger deal involves a US$400 million investment by Chinese agribusiness group Zonken. Through its subsidiaries, Biotech Corporation Ltd and Zonken Environmental Technology Ltd, the company plans to grow and process aloe vera commercially on a 121.4-hectare site in Baringo County.
The project will also involve the development of a 29-hectare estate for growing apples and grapes in the same region.
“This agreement marks a strong step forward in Kenya’s plan to make better use of its agricultural land,” said Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano. “It also supports our agenda of value addition and rural industrial growth.”
Outlook for agroprocessing, logistics, and irrigation
The government believes that successful completion of these projects could lead to more international investment in related sectors such as agroprocessing, logistics, and irrigation.
Kenya’s agroprocessing sector already contributes about 10% to the national GDP and employs over 200,000 people. Experts believe that with better technology and more financing, the country can increase the value of its farm produce and reduce post-harvest losses.
The logistics sector, which includes transport and storage infrastructure, plays a key role in getting farm produce to both local and export markets.
Although Kenya has improved its facilities, especially through the Standard Gauge Railway and the Port of Mombasa, challenges like high transportation costs and delays remain.
On the irrigation front, only a small portion of Kenya’s arable land is currently being used efficiently. According to government data, just 747,000 acres are under irrigation.
However, the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), launched in March 2025, aims to change that. The plan targets an additional one million acres for irrigation over the next ten years, backed by an estimated KES 598 billion (US$4.6 billion) investment.
Authorities estimate that the expanded irrigation efforts could create over five million jobs and generate annual revenues of around KES 240 billion (US$1.85 billion).
President Ruto expressed optimism, stating, “These agreements are not just about foreign capital. They reflect our shared commitment with our partners to make agriculture a strong engine for inclusive growth.”
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