Flamingo Horticulture Kenya, a subsidiary of Flamingo Group International, has announced in collaboration with the Government of Kenya a large-scale reinvestment and expansion project at its Naivasha base to increase production of Fairtrade-accredited bouquets for international markets. The project will be funded through VAT refunds and is expected to create 2,000 new jobs and support an additional 12,000 dependents, advancing Kenya’s position as a regional agribusiness export hub.
The expansion signifies a shift toward source-packed agribusiness. The company, which currently exports over 750 million flower stems annually to the United Kingdom and Europe, is allocating the new capital toward infrastructure and climate-smart technology.
The expansion plans were formally announced in July 2025 at the Kenya Investment Forum in the United Kingdom, an event attended by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya. The announcement serves as a strong endorsement of Kenya as a premier destination for agribusiness investment and highlights growing international confidence in the country’s horticulture sector.
The VAT refunds will be utilized to modernize operations across Flamingo’s 1,630-hectare footprint. Key components of the expansion include the addition of 2,000 direct positions to an existing workforce of 12,000, continued support for 6,000 supply chain partners, and a network of outgrowers. Increased capacity for packed-at-source bouquets allows the company to bypass European auction houses and retain higher value-margins within Kenya. The expansion will include implementation of proprietary water technologies and integrated pest management systems developed locally, and support for the company’s two state-of-the-art packhouses, maintaining a 48-hour timeline from Lake Naivasha to European retail shelves.
Representing the President at the groundbreaking, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, noted that the decision to reinvest locally reflects a growing confidence in the domestic economy. He characterized Flamingo’s transition from its 1982 origins as Homegrown Kenya into a vertically integrated powerhouse as a benchmark for industrial scale.
The Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry stated that the project aligns with state goals to capture a larger share of the global value chain, with Abubakar Hassan Abubakar State Department for Investments, Trade, and Industry, confirming that the government is currently conducting an audit to reduce export-related charges and re-engineering SEZ frameworks to better accommodate agro-industrial exporters.
“This expansion reinforces a shift in our national narrative,” stated Abubakar Hassan Abubakar. “Kenya is moving from being a source of raw commodities to a value-driven exporter integrated into global supply chains”.
Flamingo’s commitment underscores Kenya’s competitiveness as a destination for agribusiness investment and reflects strong confidence in our country’s horticulture value chain. “The expansion will not only strengthen Kenya’s position in global markets but also catalyse job creation and value-added growth for local communities. Invest Kenya remains committed to supporting investors like Flamingo who are driving sustainable growth and inclusive economic transformation in the agricultural sector,” said John Mwendwa, OGW, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Kenya.
Olivia Streatfeild, Group CEO of Flamingo Group International Ltd says, ‘This collaboration between Flamingo, the Government of Kenya, and our UK and European retail customers creates a formidable growth opportunity for Kenya’s bottom-up economy. The future of Kenya’s horticulture is bright, and our Flamingo community is poised and ready to further drive the next phase of growth and innovation in packed-at-source bouquets.”