AFF to Convene National Workshop on Fair and Inclusive Tamarind Business Development in Kenya

Event 2026-09-23 - 2026-09-24 - Mombasa, Kenya



Date: 23–24 September 2026
Venue: Mombasa, Kenya
Organizer: African Forest Forum (AFF), in partnership with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), supported by the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS)
Website: www.afforum.org

The African Forest Forum (AFF), together with SLU and KEFRI, will convene a national stakeholders' workshop titled Fair Business Development for Non-Timber Forest Products Based on Local Knowledge: Tamarindus in Kenya, from 23–24 September 2026 in Mombasa, Kenya. The workshop will bring together approximately 50 participants — producers, local knowledge holders, processors, traders, researchers, policymakers, private-sector actors, development partners, and women- and youth-led enterprises — involved in non-timber forest product (NTFP) value chains. It will review and validate findings from AFF-SLU-KEFRI research on local knowledge, production systems, value-chain relationships and business models associated with Tamarindus indica in Kenya, and explore practical solutions to persistent value-chain constraints such as limited processing technology, post-harvest losses and weak market linkages.

Objectives

  1. Validate Research Findings: Review and validate findings on tamarind's local knowledge systems, production, value chains and business models in Kenya.
  2. Identify Value-Chain Challenges: Examine constraints including processing technology, post-harvest losses, value addition, market linkages and access to finance.
  3. Promote Inclusive Participation: Highlight the role of women and youth in building sustainable, competitive NTFP enterprises.
  4. Link Research with Youth Action: Explore synergies with AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F), drawing on the experience of youth who participated in the 2025 AY4F Kenya National Workshop.
  5. Chart a Way Forward: Identify priority interventions and a roadmap for sustainable production, harvesting, processing, storage, value addition and market access.

Expected Outcomes

  • Validated research findings on Tamarindus indica value chains in Kenya.
  • Practical stakeholder recommendations for fair, inclusive NTFP business development.
  • A roadmap identifying priority actions, responsible actors and potential producer–youth partnerships.
  • Strengthened linkages between local knowledge holders, researchers, policymakers and young green entrepreneurs.
  • Improved understanding among youth of indigenous knowledge and forest-based production realities.

For more information: Read the concept note