Kenya is stepping up its push towards a sustainable bio-economy through partnerships that blend policy, research, and private sector innovation.
At the centre of this effort is the Advancing Bio-economy Development in Kenya (ABDK) project, spearheaded by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in collaboration with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The initiative aims to accelerate the use of biological resources in agriculture, industry, and energy while fostering innovation, green jobs, and climate resilience.
It also facilitates collaboration between Kenyan and Swedish stakeholders, with Sweden contributing technical expertise and policy know-how.
At a recent workshop, the project convened policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and international partners to develop roadmaps for four priority clusters: value addition and circular food systems, bio-based agricultural inputs, bio-based industrial products, and sustainable bioenergy.
“This is not just a meeting; it is the beginning of structured collaboration. By focusing on these four clusters, we are laying the foundation for Kenya’s bio-economy to grow in a way that is inclusive, innovative, and sustainable,” said Jackson Koimbori, Senior Coordinator at KEPSA.
Building a bio-economy framework
Discussions highlighted the urgency of bio-based solutions in addressing Kenya’s development and environmental challenges. SEI Programme Leader for Sustainable Urbanization, Romanus Opiyo, noted that the sector is not only about producing goods from biological resources but also about creating jobs, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and empowering youth.
“Bio-economy could contribute up to five per cent of Kenya’s GDP over the next decade if innovation and investment scale effectively,” Opiyo said, stressing the importance of research-driven solutions that transform agricultural waste into industrial and energy products.
Practical examples of bio-innovation were showcased, including projects converting sugarcane and maize residues into biofuels and biodegradable packaging—demonstrating the economic and environmental potential of value addition.
Jamila Ahmed of Stockholm Environment Institute [SEI] during a workshop on August 28, 2025
Bridging gaps in research and policy
Despite its promise, Kenya’s bio-economy faces structural hurdles. According to Carryl Masibo, Project Manager at Business Sweden, the lack of alignment between research outputs and market needs remains a persistent barrier.
“We must align research with market needs. Without policy support and strategic investment, promising innovations will remain on paper,” Masibo said.
To address these gaps, the ABDK project is developing cluster-specific roadmaps covering technology pathways, financing models, and policy integration, aligned with both Kenya’s national Bio-economy Strategy and the East African Community’s regional framework.
Capacity-building efforts targeting universities, research centres, and SMEs are also underway to ensure knowledge is translated into viable commercial opportunities. Opiyo further underlined the need for stronger data collection and monitoring systems to inform policy and measure impact effectively.
Youth and SMEs at the core
Speakers at the forum repeatedly underscored the role of young people and small businesses in building a resilient bio-economy. SEI Research and Policy Analyst, Alphayo Lutta, stressed that unlocking economic opportunities from biological resources depends on equipping these groups with the right skills and technology.
“We are committed to equipping our youth and SMEs with skills and technology to turn biological resources into economic opportunities,” Lutta said.
Inclusive growth also took centre stage, with calls to integrate women, youth, and rural communities into bio-based value chains to expand livelihoods and promote environmental stewardship.
The workshop concluded with a call for increased investment in bio-based innovations and stronger cross-sector partnerships to ensure Kenya’s green transition is evidence-based, inclusive, and community-driven.
Mary Mbenge, Programme Manager, Environment and Climate Change – Embassy of Sweden on August 28, 2025
Alphayo Lutta, Research and Policy Analyst, Stockholm Environment Institute [SEI]
Why bio-economy matters for Kenya
Globally, the bio-economy is seen as a pillar of sustainable economic transformation, drawing on science and innovation to create food, feed, fibre, fuel, and high-value products from biological resources. By turning waste into useful inputs, it fosters green growth while reducing environmental strain.
“In Kenya, over 40 per cent of the population relies on biological resources for food, energy, and medicine, while agriculture contributes more than 30 per cent of GDP,” Lutta said.
However, the limited application of modern bioprocessing technologies has restricted value addition and slowed economic gains.
“By embracing bio-economy strategies, Kenya can unlock the full potential of its natural resources, strengthen food and health security, generate employment, and build a sustainable pathway for economic transformation,” Lutta added.