Kenya is turning to Malaysia’s palm oil industry as a blueprint for revitalizing its own sector, with hopes of reducing high logistics costs and improving regional competitiveness.

This development follows a high-level roundtable in Nairobi involving 15 major stakeholders from Kenya’s oils and fats industry and Malaysia’s Plantation and Commodities Minister, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

“Kenyan industry players are importing Malaysian palm oil, processing it locally, and selling to the regional market,” Johari said. “But logistics inefficiencies are driving up consumer prices.”Johari highlighted that transport costs can add as much as 40% to the final price of palm-based products, especially in East Africa’s landlocked markets.

He pointed to Malaysia’s integrated approach — combining infrastructure, policy, and long-term planning — as a model for Kenya to consider.“One of the most pressing issues raised was the high cost of logistics in the region,” Johari noted, offering Malaysia’s support in finding infrastructural and technical solutions.

As part of the collaboration push, Johari extended an invitation to Kenyan stakeholders to visit Malaysia and study its palm oil processing ecosystem firsthand.“If we can find the right solution, this sector holds great potential,” he added.

“This knowledge-sharing can help increase productivity and efficiency within Kenya’s domestic industry.”The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s wider agenda to strengthen trade, innovation, and technical cooperation with emerging markets poised for growth.