Despite being a leading producer of agricultural and horticultural products, Kenya struggles to achieve global leadership due to various challenges, including high operational costs and stiff competition. The article emphasizes that Kenya must pursue full value chain integration, strategic policy support, and regulatory reforms to enhance its global market competitiveness.

• Tea and coffee account for 25% and 5% of Kenya’s total exports, respectively.
• The Finance Act 2025 imposed an excise duty of KSh 25% or KSh 50 per kilogram on kraft paper, a crucial imported packaging material.
• Cumulative taxes on kraft paper have surged to 111% in three years, severely impacting local manufacturing competitiveness.
• Tobias Alando, Chief Executive of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, authored the opinion piece.