The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Africa Centre hosted a workshop on advancing bioeconomy development in Kenya on 28^th January 2025 in Nairobi. The sensitization workshop brought together key private sector stakeholders to explore ways of strengthening investments in biobased sectors in Kenya. It discussed the challenges and opportunities in the bioeconomy, reviewed key factors that influence the participation of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and created a platform for information sharing while exploring linkages between Kenya and Sweden.

The bioeconomy, focused on adding value and optimizing the use of bioresources, is increasingly recognized as a key driver of sustainability across various sectors and societal dimensions. In Eastern Africa, particularly Kenya, bio-based resources such as agricultural, forestry, marine, and aquatic products form the backbone of the economy. However, limited bioprocessing and value addition to these primary resources and biowaste hinder the country's ability to fully harness its bioresources for economic growth and sustainable development, including the goals outlined in Kenya Vision 2030.

On the brighter side, a growing number of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and community-led value-addition initiatives are emerging in the region. These efforts are not only enhancing resource efficiency but also generating employment and improving livelihoods, driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Jackson Koimbori, Head of KEPSA Consult, Circular Economy & Climate Change noted the bioeconomy represents an essential avenue to drive the national goals of job creation, poverty reduction and sustainable development. He added that the bioeconomy is heavily reliant on agricultural, forestry, and aquatic resources, which form the backbone of our economy in Kenya. "Through investment, innovation and partnerships, the private sector can drive the necessary transformation in biobased industries." Remarked Dr Koimbori.

Speaking during the workshop, Dr. Philip Osano, Centre Director of SEI outlined economic stability, biodiversity richness, biotechnology capacity, agricultural potential and forward-looking bioeconomy policies as the key factors towards advancing bioeconomy in Africa. “There is a growing recognition that the development of a bioeconomy in Africa will increase the economic and social value of regionally traded biologically-based goods and services.” He noted.

The forum featured plenary discussions and presentations on Food System (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries); Environment, Natural Resources and Waste; and Forestry and Bioenergy. The key outcomes from the workshop included;

• Hosting a Kenya-Sweden biodiversity business forum before the end of the year
• Development of a biodiversity policy strategy for Kenya