As the Africa Forward Summit 2026 convenes in Nairobi on May 11–12, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, is calling for a fundamental reset in Africa’s trade relationship with the global north — one centred on fairness, value addition, and shared prosperity.

Kagwe argues that African agricultural producers, particularly smallholder farmers, have long operated within unequal global trade systems that limit productivity, reduce returns, and confine the continent to exporting raw commodities with minimal economic benefit.

According to Kagwe, the time has come for African farmers to move from the margins to the centre of trade negotiations and investment discussions. He says this requires improved terms of trade, expanded access to financing tailored to agricultural value chains, technology-driven advisory services, and stronger market access.

The summit marks a symbolic moment for Kenya as the first anglophone African nation to host the gathering, reflecting what Kagwe describes as a broader shift in relations between Africa and Europe — away from traditional aid-driven engagements toward partnerships based on mutual economic interests.

Value addition at the core

Kagwe highlighted Kenya’s efforts to strengthen local processing and value addition across key export sectors including coffee, tea, avocados, macadamia nuts, leather, hides, and skins.

He stressed that genuine partnership with Europe must include the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers on value-added African products. In contrast, he criticised tariff escalation on processed goods, arguing that it entrenches unequal trade dynamics and prevents African economies from capturing greater value from their agricultural exports.

“This arrangement is no longer tenable,” Kagwe stated, warning that continued dependence on raw commodity exports undermines Africa’s economic transformation ambitions.

The minister called for a shift from development rhetoric toward practical investment partnerships that include manufacturing collaboration, joint ventures, research and development, innovative financing models, technology transfer, and job creation.

AfCFTA seen as strategic gateway

Kagwe pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a major opportunity for investors seeking access to a continental market of more than 1.2 billion people.

He also referenced frameworks such as the Africa-France Impact Coalition, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), and the Kampala Declaration on Food Systems as important foundations for future collaboration.

Drawing on Kenya’s experience in the dairy and horticulture sectors, Kagwe noted that local value addition near production areas can significantly improve farmer incomes, strengthen rural livelihoods, and increase Africa’s leverage in global trade negotiations.

Call for measurable commitments

Kagwe urged summit participants to ensure that the anticipated Nairobi Declaration moves beyond aspirational statements by including clear implementation mechanisms.

He proposed that the declaration establish measurable milestones covering investment ratios, technology transfer benchmarks, funding schedules, ownership structures, and continental monitoring systems.

“In economic diplomacy, clarity is key,” he said.

Kagwe concluded that Africa’s evolving relationship with Europe should no longer be defined by colonial history or linguistic ties, but by continental enterprise, reciprocity, and shared economic opportunity.

“The goal is reciprocity, not animosity,” he said. “Africa now speaks as a builder of mutual prosperity.”