Kenya remains Africa’s largest producer and exporter of avocados, with the sector contributing significantly to the country’s agricultural exports and foreign exchange earnings.

Images circulating from the conference showed Israeli Ambassador Gideon Behar standing alongside Somali Ambassador Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle during the event, despite Somalia not playing a major role in the avocado industry that formed the conference’s central focus.

Organizers described the event as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between Kenya and Israel in advancing the avocado value chain through innovation, research, irrigation technology, and agricultural investment.

Israel has long been involved in agricultural development projects across Africa and is credited by some agricultural experts with helping introduce and modernize several farming technologies used in commercial avocado production.

The Hass avocado variety, now one of the most widely traded avocado types globally, has also benefited from agricultural research and modernization efforts associated with Israeli agronomists and farming initiatives.

Today, Israel continues to play a significant role in agricultural innovation, technology transfer, irrigation systems, and partnerships within Kenya’s avocado sector and broader agribusiness industry.

Somalia’s participation in the conference comes only days after the Somali federal government strongly criticized the government of Israel and opposed reported diplomatic engagements between Israel and Somaliland.

The issue has drawn public attention and political debate due to Somalia’s longstanding position on relations with Israel and regional diplomatic sensitivities involving Somaliland’s international outreach efforts.

Analysts say Somalia’s attendance at the Nairobi conference reflects the complex nature of regional diplomacy and international cooperation forums, where economic and agricultural engagement often overlaps with broader political dynamics in the Horn of Africa.