Nairobi — June 1, 2026 — Kenya is in talks with Portugal to strengthen cooperation in agricultural irrigation infrastructure, a move that could accelerate the country’s ambitious National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP). The discussions, held on May 29 between Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho Kimani and Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Neves Pocinho, focused on technical and financial collaboration.
Kenya’s $4.6 billion plan, launched in March 2025, aims to bring an additional 400,000 hectares under irrigation by 2035, reducing reliance on rainfall and boosting agricultural productivity. The government will provide 39% of the funding, with the remainder expected from private investors.
The proposed partnership includes investments in dams, water abstraction systems, canal lining, and improved conveyance infrastructure to minimize losses and enhance efficiency. Opportunities for Portuguese investors to participate through Public‑Private Partnerships (PPPs) were also discussed, targeting large‑scale irrigation and food production projects.
Portugal’s expertise in water management under Mediterranean conditions could prove valuable for Kenya, which faces recurring droughts and climate variability. Expanding irrigation is seen as critical for modernizing agriculture, increasing yields, and generating more value in the sector.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), irrigated farmland is 3.2 times more productive by value than rain‑fed land and yields on average 76% more. Kenya’s irrigation potential is estimated at nearly 1.34 million hectares, yet only 288,000 hectares were equipped for irrigation as of 2023.
By exploring partnerships with countries like Portugal, Kenya aims to unlock this untapped potential, strengthen food security, and drive sustainable agricultural growth.
