9th KIPPRA Conference: Bridging gaps within value chains in Kenya

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]as he had wished. Violeta Wama, KTN.

[00:00:05]On the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, KIPPRA is holding its ninth annual regional conference that is being held in Mombasa County under the theme strengthening value chains for inclusive growth in Kenya.

[00:00:18]And now let's cross over live and listen in.

[00:00:21]realities of millions of Kenyans.

[00:00:26]The central question before us at this conference that we're talking about is where is Kenya's losing value along the chain?

[00:00:38]And how can we ensure that small holders, SMEs, artisans, and workers capture more of that value?

[00:00:49]This is the very heart of the government's bottom-up economic transformation agenda, the Beta and the fourth medium plan.

[00:01:00]The theme of this year's conference is deliberate, timely, and strategically chosen, aiming to drive conversations that explore priority value chains across the agricultural the agriculture which include tea, coffee, horticulture, and livestock, across manufacturing including textiles and apparel, leather, agro-processing, and the building and construction sector, as well as emerging and future value chains including those driven by the green economy and digital innovation.

[00:01:42]Ladies and gentlemen, KIPPRA was established to be the government's think tank that builds capacities and conducts evidence-based research while translating it into inclusive, and practical policy interventions.

[00:02:01]Over the 29 years of our existence, we have strived to fulfill this mandate faithfully.

[00:02:11]Further, KIPPRA's research on the value chains continues to highlight both the opportunities and constraints facing Kenya's economic transformation agenda.

[00:02:26]Evidence from recent studies shows that only about 18.6% of Kenyan farms are integrated into global value chains.

[00:02:39]With most small and medium enterprises remaining concentrated in low value domestic activities.

[00:02:50]We have identified that approximately 15% of small and medium enterprises participate in global value chains, largely constrained by limited access to finance, weak technology adoption, and inadequate certification and standards compliance.

[00:03:12]These findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to strengthen competitiveness and deepen integration into higher value production systems.

[00:03:28]KIPPRA's sectoral analysis also demonstrates significant potential for job creation and industrial growth through structured value chain development.

[00:03:41]For instance, studies on emerging sectors such as renewable energy estimate that employment opportunities could expand to offer 48,000 jobs through manufacture, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and innovation activities within the solar photovoltaic value chain.

[00:04:08]Similarly, foreign direct assessments in manufacturing and agro-processing highlight highlights strong potential for import substitution, export diversification, and regional trade expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

[00:04:28]These insights reinforce the importance of coordinated investments in the infrastructure, infrastructure, skills development, financing, and regulatory reform to unlock inclusive and sustainable growth.

[00:04:47]This conference, in addition, is aligned to interrogate the role of devolution in value chain development.

[00:04:56]County governments are integral actors in this conversation and in working together to tap into local, regional, and global value chains. Ladies and gentlemen, as KEPSA continues to support support evidence-based policy making in Kenya and across the region, the question of institutional sustainability remains central to our long-term vision.

[00:05:24]In this regard, I wish to sincerely thank the national government under the leadership of His Excellency the President and the Kenya Private Sector Administration for the allocation of three acres of land to KEPSA to facilitate the establishment of a world-class center of excellence for public policy research, innovation, and in leadership in the East and Central Africa.

[00:05:53]This strategic investment reflects government's confidence in the role of research and policy institutions in driving national transformation.

[00:06:05]The center is envisioned as a regional and international hub for thought leadership that will nurture the next generation of policy thinkers, researchers, and development practitioners for Kenya, Africa, and beyond.

[00:06:23]Colleagues and delegates, we are equally grateful to the Kenyan government's allocation of Kenyan shillings 108 million to undertake feasibility study towards acquisition of permanent KIPPRA headquarters. This bold and forward-looking support will not only generate long-term savings on operational costs, but will also significantly strengthen KIPPRA's capacity to deliver on its expanding national mandate by providing a modern and conducive environment for research, policy engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and knowledge exchange. As we pursue this vision, we invite development partners, the private sector, and the like-minded institutions to join us in building a globally competitive policy institution that will continue shaping Kenya's development trajectory through high-quality research and evidence-informed policy solutions. Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to acknowledge the partners who have made this conference possible.

[00:07:40]That is the State Department for Economic Planning, represented by the PS, the Mombasa County Government, our development partners such as IFPRI, CGIAR of Australia, and under the potion of fashion program with ILO, UNICEF, International Potato Center, the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board, the Hawaii sectors among others.

[00:08:12]Your investment in this platform is is an investment in the Kenya's future.

[00:08:20]As I conclude, allow me to reiterate the importance of this conference in providing a platform for policy makers, researchers, development partners, and other stakeholders to discuss and explore the pathways to strengthen our value chains across different sectors.

[00:08:42]To our delegates, we challenge you to engage deeply, deepen the debate boldly, and leave Mombasa with ideas, commitments, and networks that will help Kenya build a sustainable and inclusive economy through its value chains.

[00:09:04]Ladies and gentlemen, it's now my great pleasure pleasure to invite the PS State Department of Economic Planning, Mr. Dr. Julius Makoha Barasa, to make his address and later invite the chief guest. Thank you.

[00:09:23]Asante sana.

[00:09:25]>> [applause] >> Asante sana, professor.

[00:09:40]Uh allow me to start by recognizing my colleague uh seek uh FCPA PS Karim country representatives the house Also want to appreciate the presence of the senators senator of Embu uh senator of Bungoma senator of Tharaka-Nithi and the nominated senator.

[00:10:15]Also appreciate the board led by uh Professor Wachana executive director KIPPRA the partners and if you allow me just to mention the partners who are around the IFPRI the I I L O the UNICEF UNIDO ICRAF CORD AID um not forgetting the representative of the presidential uh council of economic advisers and uh all of the guests who are here ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

[00:11:06]Uh it is my uh pleasure to join you in Mombasa for the ninth KIPPRA annual conference and allow me at the outset to commend uh KIPPRA and the development partners for institutionalizing what has become one of the most consequential forums for economic discourse in our region.

[00:11:32]In an era where the premium on evidence-informed policy making has never been higher, KIPPRA continues to provide a rigorous platform where policy, data, and practical evidence converge to shape the development trajectory of our nation.

[00:11:53]Over the years, this conference has evolved into more than an academic uh gathering.

[00:12:00]It has become a policy market of ideas, a space where government, academia, business, development partners, and critically our youth interrogate the structural constraints to growth and co-create solutions grounded in evidence.

[00:12:22]Well, and with that, we take a short commercial break here at K T KTN [music] Newsdesk. We'll be back in a short while. Don't go too far.