Celebrating Kenya’s Blossoming Leadership in Sustainable Floriculture
Growers, government leaders, and floriculture stakeholders are set to converge at the Ole Sereni, Emara, Nairobi, on Friday, 12th September 2025, for the much-anticipated Pinnacle Sustainability Awards 2025. Running from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, the evening will honor the industry’s finest achievements while reaffirming Kenya’s global reputation as a powerhouse in sustainable flower production.
Now in their second edition, the Pinnacle Sustainability Awards are the first of their kind in the country, shining a spotlight on milestones that often go unnoticed beyond the beauty of blooms. Since the 1990s, floriculture has grown into one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, while also positioning the nation as a global voice in sustainability and innovation.
“The Pinnacle Sustainability Awards shine a light on the incredible journey of Kenya’s floriculture sector, one that goes far beyond beauty to embrace sustainability, innovation, and livelihoods. These awards are about telling our story to the world,” said Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council.
Driving Sustainability in Floriculture
Since its formation in 1996, the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) has been the sector’s heartbeat, pushing boundaries through advocacy, leadership, and innovation. A defining milestone has been the creation of the Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard (FOSS), a globally recognized code of practice that enables Kenyan producers to meet strict international requirements while strengthening sustainability at home. Thanks to such initiatives, Kenyan flowers are now among the most trusted and sustainably grown worldwide.
This year’s awards mark a fresh chapter. Unlike the inaugural 2024 edition, where winners were nominated by KFC, the 2025 edition allows farms and companies to nominate themselves in nine sustainability-focused categories. This shift enhances transparency, encourages peer-to-peer learning, and fosters sector-wide benchmarking.
“By encouraging farms to nominate themselves, the 2025 edition empowers members to showcase their strongest areas of impact while fostering transparency and collaboration,” Tulezi noted.
With 42 participants from 11 counties, including 39 producer members and 3 associate members, the awards truly capture the breadth and diversity of Kenya’s floriculture excellence.
Kenya’s Blossoming Role in Global Floriculture
Kenya is now the world’s fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers, commanding a 6.4% global market share in 2024.
The industry’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable: exports have surged from USD 73.7 million in 2003 to USD 835 million in 2024. In just the first eight months of 2024, Kenya exported more than 200,000 metric tons of flowers, with projections pointing to 250,000 tons by year-end.
While the European Union remains the largest market, taking about 70% of exports, demand is expanding in Japan, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Beyond foreign exchange, floriculture sustains livelihoods across the nation, creating more than 200,000 direct jobs and supporting an estimated 2 million people indirectly. Altogether, the industry contributes about 1.25% of Kenya’s GDP, rising to nearly 3% when linked with broader horticultural activities.
Award Categories (2025)
- Most Efficient Constructed Wetland
- Best Sustainable Packaging
- Best Soil Health Management
- Best Employee Welfare Programs
- Best Community Partnership Program
- Best Organic Waste Management
- Sustainability Excellence Award
- Innovation Award
- Young Growers Award
Why Attend?
The Pinnacle Sustainability Awards are a statement of Kenya’s leadership in global floriculture. They honour excellence, spotlight sustainability, and recognize the resilience of an industry that not only beautifies the world but also powers communities and livelihoods at home.