Momentum for Insect-Based Solutions in East Africa

A major highlight has been the formal registration of AIFIP as an association in Kenya. This marks a crucial step in strengthening the position of AIFIP as a platform to enhance the sector’s governance, identity, and advocacy potential, enabling local actors to coordinate more effectively and speak with a unified voice.

This new institutional capacity was immediately demonstrated in November, when AIFIP convened the first-ever Kenyan Insect Stakeholder Event. Held over two days, the event brought together public, private, research, and civil society stakeholders for knowledge exchange, strategic dialogue, and community building. Participants collectively explored the sector’s direction and discussed what is needed to unlock its potential. The rich outcomes of this event are currently being digested and will be shared in our next update.

Alongside national-level engagement, the Partnership continues to invest in grassroots learning. A roadshow in Western Kenya enabled peer-to-peer exchange among black soldier fly (BSF) farmers, recognising that too much sector activity is concentrated in Nairobi. By focusing on regional actors, the roadshow contributed to more inclusive sector development. Plans for expansion of the roadshow in 2026 are now being developed.

AIFIP also hosted a Knowledge Café featuring Proteen’s Tommy van Hooft, who shared lessons learned in scaling a BSF-based business model. Events like these are key to strengthening the sector’s learning ecosystem, and to ensuring that technical and entrepreneurial insights are widely accessible.

Looking ahead, the Partnership is developing a new website that will serve as a central hub for sector updates, resources, and partner engagement. Moreover, building on successes in Kenya, the IN-FEAST Partnership has initiated engagement with stakeholders in Ethiopia, with the aim of co-creating opportunities to accelerate the insect protein sector there.

These recent activities signal more than just momentum. They represent progress toward our shared objective: a thriving, sustainable, and well-networked insect sector that contributes to resilient food systems. Much has already been achieved, but more is in the works. We look forward to sharing further updates as new insights and opportunities emerge.