The Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC) successfully hosted 8th African Grain Trade Summit in Mombasa, Kenya from 3rd to 5th October 2019. In attendance were more than 250 grain industry leaders, researchers, service providers, innovators and development partners from 17 countries across 4 continents, in addition to 19 exhibiting companies.
The Grain Trade Summit was convened with extensive support from various partners, including the European Union Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Corporation (CTA) and the Government of Kenya. Sponsors at the Summit included the Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd, Grain Industries Ltd, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, International Finance Corporation-World Bank Group, the USAID Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity, A to Z Textile Mills Ltd, TANIS Milling Technologies and Isuzu East Africa; and Media partners including KBC, K24, and People’s Daily Newspaper among others.
The African Grain Trade Summit (AGTS) is Africa’s premier grain industry event that is hosted biennially by the Eastern Africa Grain Council and its Partners. Its main purpose is to drive business environment improvements to support growth of grain sector agribusinesses, to facilitate business and investment partnerships and to share new knowledge and innovations that can be leveraged to drive growth of the sector.
Recognising that grain trade enterprises play a vital role in ensuring that all people have access to food, keep prices stable and provide a market for producers and traders, the 8th AGTS carried the theme, “Transforming Grain Trade Value Chains for a Prosperous Africa”. In selecting the theme, EAGC considered the importance of grain trade in food security, manufacturing, investment and employment creation, noting that it is crucial for the grain value chain players to apply their voice in order to influence policies and ensure that the business environment for grain trade is continuously improved.
Representing the Chief Guest of the Summit, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya Dr. Andrew Tuimur, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, graced the occasion and officiated the opening of the Summit accompanied by other high level dignitaries who included the Senate Standing Committee for Tourism, Trade and Industrialisation, led by its Chairman, Sen. Charles Rebeunson Kibiru; the National Assembly Departmental Committee for Agriculture and Livestock, led by its Chairman, Hon. Adan Haji Ali; the Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Hon. Peter Munya, and the Principal Secretary for Trade, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, both of whom were represented senior officials in the Ministry of Trade; the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Productive and Social Sectors , Hon. Christophe Bazivamo; a delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of South Sudan; the High Commissioner of Tanzania to Kenya, H.E. Dr. Pindi Chana; the High Commissioner of Malawi to Kenya, H.E. Agrina Mussa, represented by Mr. Mapopa Kaunda, Counsellor and Head of Chancery; the Ambassador of DR Congo to Kenya, Ambassador Michel Bizimungu Mubare, represented by Mr Kaninda; the Provincial Minister of Agriculture for Maniema Province in DR Congo, Hon. Kanefu Sumaili John; the Governor of Tharaka Nithi County, represented by Hon Njagi Njue, the County Executive
Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives; development partners from the EU Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA),the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, USAID Kenya and East Africa; and the Board of Directors and Members of EAC led by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. Samwel Wangwe.
