Carryl Masibo, Project Manager at Business Sweden speaking at the dvancing Bio-economy Development in Kenya (ABDK) workshop.
Kenya is intensifying efforts to develop its bio-economy, leveraging public-private partnerships, international collaboration,
on, and targeted initiatives like the Advancing Bio-economy Development in Kenya (ABDK) project to foster innovation, green jobs, and sustainable economic growth.
The ABDK project is an initiative implemented by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) with the help of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
It supports cluster formation, strategic roadmapping, and partnerships between Kenyan and Swedish actors.
Through the ABDK project, SEI aims to harness biological resources for industrial, agricultural, and energy purposes while promoting environmental sustainability.
The meeting convened private sector entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, finance institutions, and international representatives to design roadmaps for four priority clusters: Value Addition & 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,” Jackson Koimbori, Senior Coordinator KEPSA.
During the workshop, officials highlighted the critical role of bio-based solutions in enhancing Kenya’s economic resilience amid global environmental and energy challenges.
Sweden emerged as a key partner, providing technical expertise and policy guidance to bolster Kenya’s nascent bio-economy sector.
“Bio-economy is not just about producing goods from biological resources; it’s about creating jobs, empowering youth, and enabling SMEs to participate in a green and sustainable economy,” Romanus Opiyo said, Programme Leader for Sustainable Urbanization-SEI.
Opiyo stressed the need for research-driven solutions to harness local resources, including agricultural waste, for industrial and energy purposes.
“Bio-economy could contribute up to 5 per cent of Kenya’s GDP over the next decade if innovation and investment scale effectively,” he added.
Several private sector players and academic institutions shared examples of successful pilot projects.
These included the conversion of sugarcane and maize residues into biofuels and biodegradable packaging, demonstrating Kenya’s potential to produce value-added products while reducing environmental waste.
Bridging policy and research gaps
Despite its potential, Kenya’s policy and research frameworks are yet to fully match the ambitions of its bio-economy agenda.
“We must align research with market needs. Without policy support and strategic investment, promising innovations will remain on paper,” Carryl Masibo, Project manager at Business Sweden.
“The ABDK project aims to address this by providing cluster-specific roadmaps outlining vision and mission statements, technology pathways, financing strategies, and policy integration aligned with Kenya’s Bio-economy Strategy and the EAC Regional Bio-economy Strategy.”
Capacity-building programs for local universities, research institutions, and SMEs are designed to ensure knowledge translates into commercially viable solutions.
Speaking during the workshop, Opiyo also called for improved data collection and monitoring mechanisms to track progress and measure impact, stressing that informed policymaking is critical for scaling innovations sustainably.
Youth and SME empowerment for sustainable growth
Empowering youth and small businesses emerged as a recurring theme. Bio-based industries can drive entrepreneurship, improve livelihoods, and enhance Kenya’s resilience to climate change.
“We are committed to equipping our youth and SMEs with skills and technology to turn biological resources into economic opportunities,” Alphayo Lutta said, Research and Policy Analyst -SEI.
Inclusive growth was also emphasized. By integrating women, youth, and rural communities into bio-based value chains, Kenya can expand employment opportunities while fostering environmental stewardship.
The session concluded with a commitment to expand investment in bio-based innovations, strengthen partnerships across sectors, and ensure Kenya’s transition to a green economy is inclusive, evidence-based, and impactful for communities nationwide.
Why Kenya should pursue bio-economy growth
Globally, the bio-economy is recognized as a driver of sustainable economic transformation.
It applies scientific knowledge and innovation to generate goods and services from biological resources, including food, feed, fibre, fuel, and high-value biowaste products.
By maximizing the use of all biological resources, it turns waste into valuable inputs, supports green growth, and creates jobs.
“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 stated.
Yet limited application of modern bioprocessing technologies has constrained value addition and economic growth.
“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 said.
