The East Africa Trade and Investment Hub recently completed a study on the Kenya-Ethiopia agricultural trade corridor, also known as the Moyale Corridor. According to the African Development Bank, investment in the greater corridor area is expected to increase trade between Kenya and Ethiopia fivefold by 2019, rising from $35 million to $175 million. Within this framework, the study analyzed how the corridor could deliver on its potential to improve regional agricultural trade and facilitate the movement of surplus staple foods to deficit areas. The study began in April 2018 and combined secondary research with field visits and interviews to understand the current state of the corridor and provide recommendations for how to leverage it as a channel for the movement of staples between Kenya and Ethiopia.
Study consultants engaged with representatives from Marsabit County government, the Moyale one-stop border post, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, trade associations, traders, and members of USAID’s PREG network among others. Once the consultants completed a draft report, it was shared with stakeholders for review and feedback - which has now been incorporated in the final report.
The study underlines the Hub’s efforts to improve food security in the greater East Africa region by facilitating the trade and movement of staples from surplus to deficit regions. It contains actionable recommendations for the Kenya and Ethiopia governments, USAID, and other partners. If implemented, these actions should improve the flow of staples between Kenya and Ethiopia and boost food security.