EU-Kenya Business Forum Roundtable Calls for a New Agricultural Revolution in Digital Compliance
The EU-Kenya Business Forum 2025 held recently in Nairobi , became a rallying point for stakeholders looking to balance agricultural trade with social equity and environmental responsibility. A key highlight was a roundtable on digital solutions for export standards compliance, tackling the pressing question: Can a Sixth Agricultural Revolution help resolve the digital divide in Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) compliance?
Kenya’s export sector, known for fresh produce like flowers, avocados, and capsicum, continues to face challenges in meeting the European Union’s strict SPS measures. Frequent interceptions due to pesticide residues and pest infestations remain a threat to market access and competitiveness. The situation is even more delicate for exporters sourcing from smallholders, where digitalization offers both opportunity and risk.
A Narrow Operational Bandwidth
Discussions at the forum took inspiration from concepts in Doughnut Economics, which advocates for staying within an ecological ceiling while supporting a strong social foundation.
Within this framework, Kenya’s agricultural export sector must not only produce sustainably but also avoid marginalizing farmers.
“Digital solutions should serve both ecological and inclusivity goals simultaneously,” said Jan Willem Van Casteren, Roundtable facilitator and CEO of eProd Solutions. “We need to use AI, Blockchain, IoT, and other technologies not just to meet compliance but to create opportunities for smallholders without leaving them behind.”
The Evolution of Agricultural Revolutions
Speakers reflected on the time it has historically taken for major technological advances to transform agriculture. From the mechanization of the 1700s to the Green Revolution of the 1950s, each phase brought improvements alongside new challenges. The Fourth Agricultural Revolution in 2011 introduced digital farming and precision agriculture, followed by a Fifth phase powered by AI, Blockchain, and autonomous systems.
But while industrialized nations ride the waves of these revolutions, many developing economies remain trapped in earlier stages. Kenya’s predominantly small-scale farming systems risk being excluded if technology adoption isn’t made accessible.
Key Challenges and Solutions
The panel, which included Josiah Syanda of KEPHIS, Hosea Machuki of FPEAK, Dr. Chagema from COLEAD, and Kevin Kiambe of KALRO, explored how technology could turn regulatory demands into growth opportunities.
Among the critical issues discussed:
- Compliance Complexity: Exporters struggle with stringent EU regulations such as the General Food Law Regulation, EU Deforestation-free Regulation, and Corporate Social Responsibility Directive, increasing the compliance burden.
- Need for Inclusive Digital Platforms: The forum called for cost-effective, farmer-friendly digital tools that manage compliance, protect data privacy under EU GDPR, and offer services like financing and advisory support.
- Interoperability and Integration: There was emphasis on creating interoperable platforms linking agro-input suppliers, financial institutions, extension officers, and advisory services. Features like geo-spatial mapping and real-time data sharing were highlighted as essential for due diligence and traceability.
The EPA Advantage
Kenya’s Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU was also spotlighted as a gateway to sustainable market growth. The duty-free, quota-free market access deal could be a game changer, provided exporters can navigate the evolving SPS and ESG compliance environment.
While advanced technologies like AI and Blockchain are often associated with industrial farming, the Roundtable stressed their potential to empower smallholders. Solutions like smart contracts, localized advisory services, and integrated supply chain platforms can help reduce barriers to export markets.
The conversation signaled a shift from viewing technology solely as a compliance tool to seeing it as a catalyst for inclusive growth. “If designed for inclusivity, digital solutions can drive both ecological resilience and market access,” noted Van Casteren.
For more information, refer to eProd