On May 9, 2025, over 100 CEOs, policymakers, academics, and entrepreneurs gathered for the inaugural CEO Forum hosted by the Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center (SAFIC) at Strathmore Business School (SBS) in partnership with Kerry.
Themed: “Insights and Innovations in the Food and Beverage Industry,” the forum served as a high-level platform to spark dialogue, drive innovation, and accelerate sustainable growth across one of the world’s fastest-growing food markets.
Key conversations explored:
✔️ Changing consumer preferences in African markets
✔️ Sustainability as a business advantage
✔️ Resilient supply chains
✔️ Future-fit academia-industry collaboration
✔️ Building agile F&B businesses for tomorrow
With Kerry committing €1 billion to emerging markets—including new operations in Rwanda—and thought leaders from Ireland, Kenya, and across the region contributing, the forum underscored the power of strategic partnerships in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food future.
H.E. Maris Evelyn, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland to Kenya, emphasized the importance of partnerships in growing innovation: “Kerry’s expanding presence not only creates economic opportunities but also facilitates cross-border knowledge exchange and innovation. Ireland is proud to support such impactful partnerships.”
Speaking during the event, Dr. Caesar J.Muriithi Mwangi, Executive Dean, Strathmore Business School (SBS), underscored the critical role of research in market transformation: “Our collaboration with Kerry bridges academic insight and industry application, building a stronger, more inclusive food sector for the region.
Jad Neaime, General Manager, Kerry Africa, “Bringing together diverse industry leaders helps identify innovative solutions to complex challenges. This forum is a testament to our dedication to East Africa’s food ecosystem.”
Prof. Simon Wagura Ndiritu, PhD, Center Director at SAFIC, outlined the center’s mission to transform African food systems through private-sector-driven, evidence-based strategies, with the community of practice serving as a key strategic enabler of this transformation.
The CEO Forum marks a significant step forward in aligning industry, academia, and policy toward a resilient, competitive, and sustainable food future for East Africa.