How Kenya plans to turn Mombasa into an agriculture hub

Mombasa, a bustling coastal city in Kenya, is poised to transform into an agricultural hub in Africa, aiming to boost the income of small-scale farmers significantly over the next decade. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Tendi Mtana, the Minister for Agriculture in Mombasa, shed light on the region's ambitious plans and strategies to achieve this goal. Sitting at the heart of an ecosystem that stretches from ranches to fertile areas like Tana River, Kilifi, and Lamu, Mombasa plays a crucial role in aggregating agricultural produce for both national and global markets. The city, known historically as a spice island, is now positioning itself to capitalize on its strategic location and diverse agricultural offerings. One key aspect of Mombasa's transformation into an agricultural hub is its involvement in the Kilniny Coalition, a pan-African cooperative network of port cities. Through this initiative, Mombasa aims to enhance trade relationships with other cities across Africa, facilitating the movement of goods and promoting market-driven agricultural practices. By breaking free from traditional colonial boundaries, Mombasa envisions a future where agricultural products flow seamlessly across regions, meeting diverse market demands and fostering economic growth. However, to realize its agricultural ambitions, Mombasa requires significant investments in infrastructure and value chains. Special economic zones equipped with facilities like cold storage, packhouses, and transit sheds are essential to streamline the movement of produce from farms to markets, both locally and globally. Projects such as the Mombasa Industrial Park, with an estimated investment of over $100 million, are crucial in strengthening the city's position as a logistical hub for agricultural products. In the quest for agricultural transformation, Mombasa also faces the challenge of addressing inequalities, particularly concerning small-scale female farmers. Women, who constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, often lack access to land ownership, hindering their participation in agricultural activities. To bridge this gap, initiatives like the Women Enterprise Fund in Kenya have been instrumental in providing financial support and policy frameworks to empower women in agriculture. By amplifying the voices and contributions of women farmers, Mombasa aims to ensure that no group is left behind in the journey towards agricultural prosperity. With a strategic vision and a commitment to inclusive growth, Mombasa is poised to emerge as a leading agricultural center in Africa. By leveraging its geographical advantage, investing in critical infrastructure, and promoting gender equality in agriculture, the city is paving the way for a vibrant and sustainable agribusiness sector. As Mombasa embarks on this transformative journey, the world watches with anticipation to see the city's evolution into a thriving agricultural hub on the African continent.