Interview: Namık Kemal Parlak

Eastern Africa’s vast agricultural potential is pivotal in shaping the continent’s food security and impacting global grain markets. Despite the region’s dynamic nature, it faces both significant challenges and promising opportunities. In this exclusive interview, Gerald Makau Masila, Executive Director and CEO of the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), provides valuable insights into the major obstacles and emerging opportunities within the region’s grain industry. He also outlines a compelling vision for sustainable growth and enhanced global competitiveness.

Gerald Makau Masila
Executive Director and CEO
of the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC)

Since taking the helm in 2011, Masila has guided the Council’s expansion across 10 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Under his leadership, the EAGC has navigated a complex landscape marked by trade policy challenges, infrastructure deficits, and the need for improved market access. Despite these hurdles, Masila remains optimistic about the region’s potential.

In this exclusive interview, Masila shares insights into the key obstacles and emerging opportunities shaping Eastern Africa’s grain industry and outlines a compelling vision for sustainable growth and global competitiveness. Masila highlighted Africa’s “over 60% of the world’s arable land,” which presents immense potential for “large-scale commercial agribusiness.” He pointed out that “partnerships between local and international investors” hold significant promise and that “regional infrastructure projects” could drive agribusiness growth and efficiency.