The halal food market in east Africa’s economic hub is growing, say experts, although reforms in regulation and certification are needed to underpin the sustainability of this growth.

Nairobi: As elsewhere Covid-19 hit food service sales in Kenya, and that included halal outlets, “but this has changed, and the demand is now picking up," said Eugene Jernigan, director of International Trade Policy and Development at the Action Green for Trade and Sustainable Development (AGTSD) organisation, which serves small businesses in Kenya. 

Jernigan told Salaam Gateway that the uptake of halal products has been growing steadily across Kenya, boosted by the establishment of a reputable food standard for halal products, especially meat and poultry products, operated by the Kenya Bureau of Halal Certification (KBHC).

This has strengthened sales by Muslims in Kenya who make up 11% of the country’s 55 million population. But halal food has been increasingly embraced by the population at large, more than 85% of whom are Christian, said Tony Watima, an economics consultant based in Nairobi. Jernigan agrees: “A lot of data is lacking but a casual observation of the food markets, restaurants, hotels, and shops show that many are adhering to halal standards.” He added that imports of certified halal foods have also boosted confidence in the local market.