BRASILIA, May 23 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya has thrown its weight behind a Brazil-led push to bolster global food security and combat poverty, calling for stronger partnerships among developing nations to confront rising hunger and climate-related threats to food systems.
Speaking on behalf of President William Ruto at the 2nd Brazil–Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Hunger and Rural Development, the National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula has praised Brazil’s leadership on global food issues, noting that international cooperation and mutual learning are vital to building resilient, sustainable food systems.
“It is a great honour to attend this high-level session and bring greetings from the President of the Republic of Kenya and the people of Kenya,” Wetang’ula said.
“We are here because the challenges facing food systems today from climate change and biodiversity loss to economic shocks and conflict are unprecedented and demand urgent, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions.”
According to the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, over 295 million people in 53 countries faced crisis-level hunger or worse in 2024, with climate-related disasters and economic instability cited as key drivers.
Against this backdrop, the Brazil–Africa Dialogue seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between the Global South to chart a path toward sustainable food systems.
Speaker Wetang’ula underscored the country’s transition from reactive emergency food relief to proactive resilience-building, noting a raft of transformative reforms aimed at redefining agriculture as a tool for inclusive development.
Among the key interventions highlighted were the adoption of digital technologies to empower farmers with real-time data, scaling inclusive agricultural finance, and investing in youth- and women-centered food production systems.
Kenya has also introduced innovative programs such as e-voucher platforms for farm inputs, urban hydroponic farms, and school feeding programs linked to smallholder farmers.
“These efforts reflect our national commitment to end hunger and build sustainable food systems,” the Speaker said.
“We are proud to be part of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, launched last year in Rio de Janeiro, and we remain steadfast in contributing to the global effort.”
Dr. Wetang’ula’s remarks also pointed to the importance of intra-African trade through frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is helping improve food availability and affordability by promoting cross-border market integration.
He revealed that Kenya has identified Brazil as a strategic trade partner and called for deeper bilateral cooperation.
Over the past decade, he disclosed trade between the two countries has grown steadily, with Kenya exporting fish, coffee, tea, and other agricultural products.
Brazil, in turn, has supported Kenya’s agricultural revitalization, especially in the cotton sector through the Cotton Victoria Project, which seeks to enhance production and farming techniques across East Africa.
During the delegation visit to model farms where they engaged with innovative farmers who are working collectively to address the ongoing food crisis, Wetang’ula also expressed interest in drawing lessons from Brazil’s globally recognized livestock and sugar industries.
Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef accounting for 20% of global exports and the leading sugar producer.
Kenya is currently implementing reforms to revive its own sugar industry, which contributes 7.5% to the national GDP, and hopes to replicate Brazil’s success in value addition and market competitiveness.
“Livestock contributes around 12% of our GDP,” the Speaker added.
“We are keen to learn from Brazil on how to scale our sector beyond local markets.”
With Kenya being a member of the East African Community (EAC), the the Speaker’s delegation which comprises of Nominated MP Hon. Sabina Chege, Hon. Zaheer Jhanda, Member of Parliament for Nyaribari Chache, and Mr. Stephen Apopo, Director and Chief of Staff in the Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly encouraged Brazil and MERCOSUR—the Southern Common Market—to explore opportunities for broader South–South trade partnerships that can benefit millions across both regions.
The Kenyan delegation also lauded Brazil’s global leadership during its G20 Presidency and praised the country’s efforts in securing the African Union’s inclusion in the G20.
“This move has amplified Africa’s voice in global economic discourse,” the Speaker said, on behalf of the delegation .
“We commend Brazil’s commitment to inclusive development through initiatives like the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Kenya reaffirms its dedication to not only achieving national food security but also contributing meaningfully to the shared global mission of eradicating hunger and poverty.” — NNN-KBC
