Comesa East Africa Horticulture Accelerator (CEHA), JAN 2025- JAN 2035;

REGIONAL ANSWER IN BOOSTING INTRA-REGIONAL HORTICULTURAL TRADE AND INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY FOR SMALL SCALE PRODUCERS.

CEHA aims to address the structural and policy barriers that hinder Africa’s horticulture sector and unlock its full potential. Fruits and Vegetables Value Chain (FVVCs) represent a vital avenue for economic diversification, improved food security, and rural development across the continent. Globally, fruits and vegetables are among the fastest-growing segments of agricultural trade, driven by rising incomes, shifting dietary preferences, and the demand for healthier foods. Despite these opportunities, African countries face multiple challenges in meeting the quality, safety, and logistical requirements for regional and global export competitiveness.

Focus Country

  1. Kenya
  2. Uganda
  3. Tanzania
  4. Rwanda
  5. Ethiopia

Focus value chain in Kenya

  1. Potato
  2. Avocado
  3. Onion

Area of Support

  1. Value chain development
  2. Matching grants for Business Development
  3. National Coordination

 

Project Goal

The overall objective of the CEHA is to catalyze the development of a robust and competitive horticulture sector across Eastern and Southern Africa that drives economic growth, enhances food security, and creates sustainable income opportunities for smallholders, women, and youth.  More specifically

Mission Statement

The Accelerator will facilitate the modernization and growth of the regional horticulture value chain across Eastern Africa to leverage comparative advantage, infrastructure, and technology for maximum impact.

Vision

By 2031, climate-smart horticulture value chains will be the largest contributor to rural income growth, inclusive job creation, and improved nutrition throughout Eastern Africa.

 

Strategic Objectives:

  1. Facilitate the horticulture sector coordination among horticulture value chain actors within COMESA and EAC regions.
  2. Strengthen sustainable regional value chains with cold chain and logistics networks
  3. Support enabling policy and regulatory environment for regional and international trade by reducing logistical barriers, establishing cold chain networks, and improving market access.
  4. Stimulate Industry Growth via Strong Enabling Conditions and a Business Ecosystem for a resilient horticulture sector that contributes to job creation, nutritional health, and economic empowerment across the region

 

Development Outcomes

CEHA is envisaged to reach the following Targets by 2035:

  1. Market Growth: Increase intra-regional trade and global exports.  Exports to the global market for fruits to increase to USD950M from the current USD 416 Million.  Exports to the global markets for fruits to increase from  USD125Million to USD 350Million
  2. Processing Capacity: Expand processing and preservation volumes.  Increase in the proportion of processed fruits from the current 8% to 16%
  3. Efficiency: Reduce logistics costs, time-to-market, and strengthen traceability.
    1. Reduce time from farm to market by 50%
    2. Decrease market price relative to farmgate by 25%
    3. Strengthen traceability – 80% of F&V from clusters fully traceable
  4. Consumption: Boost consumption of fruits and vegetables for better nutrition.  Average affordability increases 25% relative to baseline
  5. Production Volume:
    1. Increase in Area under fruit production by 5% from 9.5MHa to 10M Ha
    2. Increase in vegetable production by 5% of area cultivated from 33M to 45M Ha
  6. Farm Productivity: Increase land and labour productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
    1. Fruits yields by 4%, Vegetable yields by 3%, labour productivity by 25%
    2. Reduce post harvest losses from 40% to 20%
  7. Farmer Economics: Enhance farmers’ profitability and financial resilience.
    1. Farmer profitability increased by 25%
    2. Monthly cashflow volatility reduced by 50%
    3. Debt to asset ratio decreased by 10%
  8. Climate-Smart Practices: Promote sustainable practices while maintaining profitability.
    1. Adoption of climate smart practices while maintaining profitability
    2. Adoption to grow crop varieties that are resilient to predicted changes in local weather patterns
  9. Policy Harmonization: Align standards and eliminate trade barriers. Top 5 policy related barriers to trade removed or harmonised
  10. Value Creation: Increase the marketed value of horticultural products and employment.
    1. USD500Million of increased sales generated
    2. 100,000 additional jobs created along the value chain
  11. Value distribution – The number of farmers in stable, mutually beneficial commercial relation to sell F&V products for cash
  12. Finance Access: Ensure affordable finance for farmers and processors.