In a major milestone for intra-African agricultural trade, Kenya’s Uasin Gishu County has exported 50 high-performing dairy cows to Lagos State, Nigeria a move set to boost Nigeria’s dairy sector with special livestock genetics.
The cows were airlifted from Eldoret International Airport, handpicked from top-performing smallholder farms in the region, long regarded as Kenya’s dairy capital.
Governor Chelilim Celebrates Major Export Milestone
Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim described the development as a “major milestone” and a direct result of county-wide investments in dairy infrastructure, including:
Rehabilitation of cattle dips
Subsidized artificial insemination programs
Enhanced extension services
“These cows… are a testament to the strength and potential of our local dairy sector,” Chelilim said via Facebook.
Why Nigeria Is Importing Kenyan Cows
Despite having one of Africa’s largest livestock populations, Nigeria suffers from low milk yield and underdeveloped dairy genetics. The arrival of Kenyan dairy breeds, known for their high milk productivity, is expected to:
Improve local milk production
Strengthen dairy farming systems
Introduce genetic diversity into Nigeria’s herds
This export aligns with goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost regional agribusiness and open new markets for African farmers.
Agricultural experts say this deal reflects the growing international reputation of Kenya’s dairy sector, and signals a shift toward Africa-to-Africa trade in high-value agricultural commodities.
