Kuala Lumpur, 9 May 2025 – YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Plantation and Commodities, led a senior delegation on an official visit to Kenya to strengthen Malaysia’s palm oil footprint in East Africa. The visit underscores Malaysia’s strategic focus on expanding exports of high-quality, sustainable palm oil to the region, with Kenya emerging as the largest importer of Malaysian palm oil in Sub-Saharan Africa.
As the economic hub of East Africa and a key member of the East African Community (EAC), Kenya plays a vital role in regional trade. Its strategic location provides access to over 330 million consumers across the EAC, including neighbouring landlocked countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. The Malaysian delegation’s visit underscored the importance of deepening trade linkages and leveraging Kenya’s position to broaden the reach of Malaysian palm oil across the region.
During the visit, YB Minister held a series of strategic engagements with key Kenyan government officials and industry stakeholders. A key highlight was the Roundtable Discussion with major players from Kenya’s oils and fats sector which was chaired by the honourable Minister. In her opening remarks, Ms. Belvinder Sron, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), noted that Malaysian palm oil exports to Africa reached an all-time high of 3.7 million metric tonnes in 2024, with Kenya accounting for 1.3 million metric tonnes – the highest among African importers.
The roundtable was attended by 19 prominent stakeholders from the Kenyan oils and fats industry. Discussions focused on unlocking trade opportunities, addressing market access challenges, and enhancing Kenya’s role as a central distribution hub for the region. It was highlighted that Malaysia is well-positioned to meet East Africa’s demand of 3 to 4 million metric tonnes of palm oil annually, and that Kenya could develop into a key downstream processing hub for re-exports to markets such as the European Union.
YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable palm oil and assured stakeholders of the government’s full support in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.
The delegation also visited the production facilities of two major Kenyan manufacturers – Golden Africa Kenya Limited (GAKL) and BIDCO Africa. At both facilities, YB Minister was briefed on the scale of operations and ongoing innovations, underscoring Kenya’s growing domestic consumption and export potential for palm oil-based products. He commended both companies
for their contributions to regional food security and affirmed Malaysia’s readiness to support their growth with a steady supply of high-quality raw materials.
A visit to Unilever Kenya further reinforced the importance of sustainability across the palm oil value chain. During the engagement, YB Minister emphasised Malaysia’s full commitment to sustainable production, noting that 100% of palm oil exported from Malaysia is certified under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standard.
Commenting on the potential of the Kenyan market, MPOC CEO Belvinder Sron stated, “Kenya is not just a market, it is a gateway to a wider East African region. With rising demand for edible oils, a dynamic manufacturing base, and improving logistics infrastructure, Kenya offers significant long-term opportunities for Malaysian palm oil. Over the past five years, our exports to Kenya have more than doubled – from 520,758 tonnes in 2020 to 1.26 million tonnes in 2024 – reflecting Malaysia’s position as a trusted supplier of high-quality, sustainable palm oil. We are committed to working closely with our Kenyan partners to ensure stable supply and deeper market integration.”
She added, “This visit by YB Minister sends a strong signal of Malaysia’s continued commitment to supporting Kenya’s economic growth. We look forward to further strengthening cooperation with partners across the region. Over the years, MPOC has increased its engagement in Africa through trade missions, promotional programmes, and buyer-seller networking sessions that have connected stakeholders from both Malaysia and various African nations, fostering greater market access and mutual growth. This is part of MPOC’s broader strategy to diversify Malaysian palm oil exports beyond traditional markets, with Africa identified as a key focus due to its growing demand and economic potential.”
YB Minister’s visit to Kenya reflects Malaysia’s broader strategy of deepening trade with high-growth regions and reinforcing its leadership in the global oils and fats industry. By promoting sustainability, enhancing regional cooperation, and building lasting trade partnerships, Malaysia continues to create long-term value for both its economy and those of its trading partners.
For more information on MPOC and Malaysian palm oil, visit www.mpoc.org.my
