The Kenyan Food Event 2024
03 –05 September 2024
The Sarit Exhibition Centre
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya is a country in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean. It encompasses savannah, Lakelands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley, and mountain highlands. It’s also home to wildlife like lions, elephants, and rhinos. From Nairobi, the capital, safaris visit the Maasai Mara Reserve, known for its annual wildebeest migrations, and Amboseli National Park, offering views of Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Kenya‘s economy is market-based with a few state-owned infrastructure enterprises and maintains a liberalized external trade system. The country is generally perceived as Eastern Africa’s hub for Financial, Communication and Transportation services. Major industries include agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and minerals, industrial manufacturing, energy, tourism, and financial services. As of 2019 estimates, Kenya had a GDP of $98.264 billion making it the 65th largest economy in the world. Per capita GDP was estimated at $1,991.
The government of Kenya is generally investment friendly and has enacted several regulatory reforms to simplify both foreign and local investment, including the creation of an export processing zone. An increasingly significant portion of Kenya’s foreign inflows is remittances by non-resident Kenyans who work in the US, Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Compared to its neighbors, Kenya has the well-developed social and physical infrastructure.
As of September 2018, economic prospects were positive with above 6% GDP growth expected, largely because of expansions in telecommunications, transport, construction and a recovery in agriculture. These improvements are supported by a large pool of English-speaking professional workers. There is a high level of computer literacy, especially among the youth. In 2018 Kenya ranked 61st in the World Bank ease of doing the business rating, up from 80th in 2017 (of 190 countries).
Kenya has reduced child mortality, has near universal primary school enrollment, and narrowed gender gaps in education. Interventions and increased spending on health and education are paying dividends. While the healthcare system has faced challenges recently, devolved health care and free maternal health care at all public health facilities will improve health care outcomes and develop a more equitable health care system.
Kenya has the potential to be one of Africa’s success stories from its growing youthful population, a dynamic private sector, highly skilled workforce, improved infrastructure, a new constitution, and its pivotal role in East Africa. Addressing the challenges of poverty, inequality, governance, the skills gap between market requirements and the education curriculum, climate change, low investment, and low-firm productivity to achieve rapid, sustained growth rates that will transform lives of ordinary citizens, will be a major goal for Kenya.
Kenya has made significant political, structural and economic reforms that have largely driven sustained economic growth, social development and political gains over the past decade. However, its key development challenges still include poverty, inequality, climate change and the vulnerability of the economy to internal and external shocks. Kenya’s recent political reform stemmed from the passage of a new constitution in 2010 that introduced a bicameral legislative house, devolved county government, a constitutionally tenured judiciary, and an electoral body. The first general election under the 2010 constitution was held in March 2013, and the second round was held in August 2017. The August 8, 2017 presidential elections were nullified on September 1, 2017, by the Supreme Court, and a new presidential election was held on October 27, 2017. The incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared a winner on October 30, 2017, and sworn into office for a five-year term on November 26, 2017.
Devolution remains the biggest gain from the August 2010 constitution, which ushered in a new political and economic governance system. It is transformative and has strengthened accountability and public service delivery at local levels.
Why Kenya?
East Africa is an untapped market of opportunity for food & beverage companies. Retailers such as Carrefour, Shoprite, and Choppies are expanding their presence in Kenya while beverage manufacturers Diageo, Heineken & Coca-Cola are making new investments and expanding their product portfolio in the country.
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There are roughly 1,200 food & beverage manufacturers in Kenya alone ranging from smaller organizations to multinational.
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Growing incomes and rising urbanization have caused a sustained increase in food & beverage sales in Kenya over the last 15 years,
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Figures suggest Nairobi has the highest consumer food & beverage spending power with more being spent on high-cost foods.
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Imports of edible consumer goods grew by an estimated 10% per annum between 2013-17.
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The Food & Beverage sub-sector in hospitality is valued at 302 million USD with a 5% growth rate per year.
Due to a renewed optimism in the tourism industry, and subsequent increase instability to the tourism trade, Kenya’s food, beverage, and hospitality sector has seen significant market growth which has made it a focal point for opportunity and investment.
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The Kenyan Food Event (KFE) will be the premier exhibition serving the food industry across East Africa. With its inaugural edition taking place at the Movenpick in Nairobi, Kenya, this brand-new event will offer a pivotal platform for those in the industry looking for new suppliers, producers and services providers to enhance their business. Meet national and international brands, discover industry opportunities and network with key market leaders.
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Co-located alongside the Kenyan Hospitality Event and the Kenyan Drink Event, the cumulative exhibition will make up three key industry segments to bring together over 2,500 fellow stakeholders and key members from the industry.
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The Kenyan Drink Event will bring together suppliers of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. With Kenyan bars, restaurants and hotels all experiencing a large growth in drink sales, this area will give visitors an opportunity to see and try the drinks that are now available in Kenya.
Even with all the technology we have available to us, statistics still show you are more likely to secure a deal face-to-face. Simultaneously build brand awareness, network, and close sales by taking part in the Kenyan Food Event.
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Increase your customer base by meeting pre-qualified industry stakeholders
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Showcase your new technologies and services face-to-face with prospective clients
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Capitalize on strategic marketing throughout the West Africa region
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Identify new opportunities within the marketplace
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Gain the advantage of relatively early entry into a growing market
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Meet the decision makers making the procurement choices in the region
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Have the opportunity to participate in conferences and workshops
KFE will bring you the unique opportunity to position your brand directly in front of senior buyers and suppliers, to benchmark your services and products alongside top competitors as well as gain a better understanding about what the future holds for the industry.
Brought to you by Montgomery ECO, KFE joins an extensive list of successful food, beverage and hospitality events across our existing portfolio. As a subsidiary of the Montgomery Group which has been running exhibitions since 1895, Montgomery ECO is a joint venture with ECO Ltd., the longest standing exhibition organizers in Kenya. This combination of forces provides an un-rivaled team in the region.
The Sarit Exhibition Centre in Nairobi, Kenya will play host to the first-ever edition of the Kenyan Food Event. This 5-star venue sits close to the heart of Nairobi’s commercial center, Westlands, and about 20km from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. With easy access from all major businesses, hotels and restaurants, plus plenty of parking and airport-style security, it will be the perfect venue for KFE.
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