About
CABI has worked in Africa for many years, but in 1995 it formally established a regional centre in Nairobi. In Africa over 80% of people living in rural areas rely on the crops they grow for food and for income. They face many challenges in growing sufficient good quality produce, such as changing climatic conditions, threats from pests and diseases, lack of access to markets, and limited access to current agricultural information. Agriculture is essential for sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth and yet average crop yields in Africa are among the lowest in the world.
CABI’s centre in Kenya strives to improve livelihoods, working with the communities that it serves to address the problems they face using sustainable approaches.
A key element of the centre’s work is helping smallholder commodity growers to produce for and compete in local and global markets. The centre also encourages rural innovation and helps local users access global information and knowledge. Plant health is safeguarded through a range of initiatives, which include the management of invasive species, work to reduce the transmission of harmful pests and diseases through traded goods, the development of safe and effective biological controls, and Plantwise, CABI’s global project to reduce crop losses. CABI’s Good Seed Initiative, which seeks to improve the quality of seed that farmers plant, and thus improve crop yields, is also championed.
The centre works in partnership with many organizations in both the public and private sector, to enable work to be achieved in the most effective and cost efficient way. It collaborates on a national and regional level, working with agricultural extension departments, research centres, producer organisations, NGOs and regulatory agencies. International partners include international research organisations and private sector institutions such as the Rabobank and Illycafè.
The centre’s work has significant social and economic impact. Improved productivity, improved quality, and conformity to market standards enable the region’s farmers to achieve a better income from their produce. The centre also positively impacts the environment, through its promotion of sustainable agriculture, its work to reduce pesticide use and its management of invasive species.
Looking to the future the centre will continue its work in support of CABI’s overarching strategy, and plans to improve its monitoring and evaluation systems, in order to more clearly document its learning and impact.
Contact us

Senior Regional Director, Africa
CABI, Canary Bird, 673 Limuru Road, Muthaiga, PO Box 633-00621, Nairobi, Kenya
T: +254 20 2271000
CABI - Kenya
Centre staff
Centre News & Blogs
CABI highlights support for climate-resilient food systems at the Africa Food Systems Forum
19th September 2023
Documents
CABI in Africa Newsletter - July 2023
News and stories from CABI in Africa
CABI in Africa Newsletter - November 2022
News and stories from CABI in Africa
CABI in Africa Newsletter - June 2022
News and stories from CABI in Africa
CABI in Africa Newsletter - November 2021
News and stories from CABI in Africa
CABI in Africa Newsletter - June 2021
News and stories from CABI in Africa
CABI in Africa Newsletter - November 2020
News and stories from CABI in Africa
CABI in Africa Newsletter - July 2020
News and stories from CABI in Africa
Africa Coffee Facility (ACF) Donors Forum programme
Africa Coffee Facility (ACF) Donors Forum programme
Africa Coffee Facility (ACF) Donors Forum report (French)
Africa Coffee Facility (ACF) Donors Forum report (French)
Africa Coffee Facility (ACF) Donors Forum report (English)
Africa Coffee Facility (ACF) Donors Forum report (English)
Related projects
Promoting domestic coffee consumption in Africa
Coffee is a primary source of income for more than 12 million households in Africa, and, in particular for rural-based populations. Over 38% of the total population of Burundi, 23% Tanzania, 22% Uganda, 17% Côte d’Ivoire and 14% Ethiopia, for example, depend on coffee farming. Production of the crop has, for over two decades, been on a downward spiral in the continent, Ethiopia and Uganda excluded, driven by low and volatile international coffee prices. Increasing domestic coffee consumption is, therefore, seen as a viable avenue for cushioning coffee smallholders in Africa against price decline and volatility. CABI is undertaking this study to identify the factors underpinning domestic coffee consumption, the potential market size and possible paths for facilitating its growth. The study will provide statistical evidence on the existing market landscape and the concomitant investment opportunities.
Start:01/09/19 -End:31/05/20