Agricultural innovation has been listed as a central pillar in strengthening diplomatic and development ties between France and Kenya, a Science Week held recently in Nairobi revealed.
The French
National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), in partnership with the French Embassy in Kenya, is
leading efforts to boost collaborative research and innovation in the
agricultural sector.
For over 25 years, IRD has been
active in Kenya, working closely with local universities, research
institutions, and civil society organizations to tackle food security, climate
change, and sustainable ecosystem challenges.
During her
visit last week, IRD CEO Dr. Valérie Verdier engaged with institutions, including the
University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and the African Academy of
Sciences.
She emphasized the importance of
community-driven, co-created research to support resilient agricultural
systems.
“Our long-standing presence in Kenya
has helped us understand the unique challenges farmers face and propose
tailored, high-impact solutions,” said Dr. Verdier.
“This is not just about
research—it’s about transforming how we produce food and protect our planet.”
IRD CEO Valerie Verdier at the French Embassy in Nairobi on April 8, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY
A key
highlight of the week was a high-level event hosted by the French Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Arnaud
Suquet, at the French Residence in Nairobi, themed “Innovation in
Agriculture: The Driving Force Behind Franco-Kenyan Cooperation.”
The event brought together
stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including KALRO, CIRAD,
INRAE, and Kenyan universities.
“France, like Kenya, is a land of
innovation. Our bilateral relationship is nurtured by this shared spirit,” said
Ambassador Suquet.
“Projects like the Engineering and Science
Complex at the University of Nairobi, funded by AFD, are symbols of what we can
achieve together.”
Among the
initiatives discussed was the upcoming French House of Research in Nairobi, which
will unite French research institutions and universities with Kenyan
counterparts and industry players.
CGIAR Vice-chair Dr. Patrick Caron and IRD CEO Valerie Verdier during a cocktail reception at the French Residence on April 8, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Another flagship initiative, the Agri-Food Innovation Acceleration Program,
will support 14 Kenyan startups through mentorship, training, and exposure
visits in France over 10 months.
The program is funded by the French National Treasury and
coordinated by AFD and French agri-business cluster Valorial.
So far, IRD has also trained four
Kenyan scholars who now lecture at the University of Nairobi, reinforcing its
commitment to local capacity-building and academic exchange.
With agriculture being a cornerstone
of both economies, the France-Kenya partnership aims to harness innovation not
just for productivity but also for climate resilience and food security.
These efforts align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals,
particularly in eradicating hunger, promoting sustainable agriculture, and
fostering global partnerships