Kenya, Italy Inaugurate First Farmers’ Market in Nairobi

Nairobi: The first farmers’ market in Kenya’s capital Nairobi was inaugurated today. The ‘Nairobi Farmer’s Market’ is an initiative financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Maeci) within the framework of the Mediterranean and African Markets Initiative (Mami) managed by Coldiretti’s Campagna Amica foundation and implemented by Ciheam Bari, in collaboration with the World farmers markets coalition, with the assistance of the Italian Embassy in Kenya.

According to Ansa News Agency, the event was held in the Rosslyn Square shopping centre, which will host the market every week, bringing together around 45 farmers and producers from the rural areas around Nairobi. On its opening day, the market saw a good turnout of citizens eager to experience fresh, local produce.

Present at the ceremony were notable figures including Ambassador Roberto Natali, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture Leonard Yegon, Director of the Campagna Amica Foundation Carmelo
Troccoli, President of Terranostra Dominga Cotarella, and Vice-President of Cilheam Biagio Di Terlizzi.

The Nairobi market was designed following the Italian Campagna Amica model, marking it as the second of its kind on the African continent, after a recent opening in Alexandria, Egypt. This initiative aims to strengthen the links between rural and urban areas, promote sustainable food practices, and support local farmers.

Italian Ambassador Natali highlighted the market’s role in bridging traditional and modern approaches to sustainability and reducing the distance between producers and consumers. Vice-President Yegon expressed gratitude to the Italian Foreign Ministry for supporting a sustainable economic model that empowers small farms in the country.