Imani Development commissioned a series of case studies to explore the gender impacts of the EU funded AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund programme. This month, we present evidence from the Athi River based grant recipient, Acacia EPZ Limited.
Established in 2015, Acacia EPZ Limited capitalises on Kenya’s Gum Arabic resources to provide alternative livelihoods in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions. Since its inception, the organization has employed over 7,000 gum collectors, who are primarily women. Through its business model, the company aims to tackle issues such as poor infrastructure, low literacy, rising poverty, and gender inequality in arid and semi-arid regions.
Gum collectors are sourced from several counties, including Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, and Turkan, regions that traditionally rely on livestock keeping. However, the adverse impacts of climate change have compromised this livelihood, leading to significant losses and diminishing prospects. This has given way to alternative livelihoods such as Gum Arabic collection.
Within the AgriFI project, Acacia EPZ has implemented several interventions to streamline the Gum Arabic value chain and optimise returns for both collectors and investors. Through establishing formal producer groups, quality training, financial literacy, and market linkages, women have diversified their incomes, invested in education, and improved nutrition for their families. The organisation trained 273 gum collectors, including 100 women who offer quality support and act as local agents in communities. These efforts have significantly empowered women gum collectors by enhancing economic independence, improving social agency, and providing essential training.
Replicating these strategies across other gum-collecting communities holds the potential for similar transformative outcomes, driving sustainable economic development and promoting gender equality.
Read more or download the full case study here.