This was revealed by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, during his official visit to Nairobi.
In what was his first visit to Kenya, the minister expressed strong optimism about Kenya’s economic progress and its potential to become a regional hub for value addition in agricultural commodities.
“Kenya is poised to be a gateway for trade and investment in East Africa. With the right infrastructure and partnerships, it can become a strategic centre for processing Malaysian palm oil and re-exporting it to the wider region,” said Johari.
Malaysia is the second-largest global exporter of palm oil, but Johari underscored that the country’s priority is sustainable production. He affirmed that Malaysia prohibits palm oil cultivation on deforested land post-2020, as part of its commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity.
“We have zero tolerance for unsustainable practices. Any palm oil exported from Malaysia must comply with strict sustainability regulations, including international standards that safeguard the environment,” he noted.
Johari also extended an olive branch to Kenya’s edible oils sector, which currently meets only 40% of national demand despite a production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes. He said Malaysia is ready to support upstream investments in palm oil cultivation in Kenya, including sharing high-quality seedlings, expertise, and technical training.
“If Kenya wants to grow palm oil locally, we’re willing to support. We can bring your farmers to Malaysia to learn, provide superior seedlings, and even guide them in setting up processing ecosystems,” Johari stated.
Addressing concerns about palm oil being perceived as a “rich man’s crop,” Johari highlighted that smallholders manage over 1.5 million hectares of palm oil farms in Malaysia and are vital to the industry’s growth.
“Out of 5.7 million hectares under palm oil cultivation in Malaysia, small-scale farmers control 1.5 million hectares. Their success is a model we can replicate here,” he said.
In a significant move, Johari also announced the relocation of Malaysia’s regional palm oil office from South Africa to Nairobi, citing the need to better serve East African markets.
“We’re moving our regional office to Nairobi. This will make it easier for local industry players to access support and resolve issues directly with our team,” he revealed.
He also encouraged Kenyan exporters to explore the Malaysian market for coffee, tea, and other sustainable agricultural products.
“Kenya has some of the best tea and coffee. If branded as sustainable, they have strong export potential beyond Africa,” Johari said.
Johari emphasized that timelines for cooperation depend on the readiness of Kenyan partners, noting that Malaysia can begin engagement immediately—from investment facilitation to capacity building and knowledge exchange.