In the dry, sunbaked plains of Marsabit and Wajir counties in northern Kenya, a silent transformation is taking place, one that is turning gum and resin, often overlooked natural treasures, into powerful tools for community empowerment and climate resilience. At the forefront of this transformation is Horn Afrik Limited, a company rooted in Wajir and driven by a bold vision: to unlock the economic potential of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) while linking local livelihoods to global markets.
Founded in 2018, the company is based in Wajir and specializes in the aggregation, processing and export of high-quality gums and resins. These natural products, harvested from black myrrh, Myrrh, Frankincense and Gum arabic trees thriving in Kenya’s blistering drylands are in high global demand, used in a wide array of industries including food and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles and paints.
But Horn Afrik Limited is more than just a business, it is a bold initiative to provide alternative nature – based non – livestock livelihoods to pastoralists communities. With catalytic investments chrome Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV), the company has become a vital link in the global supply chain while also empowering local communities, improving climate resilience, and championing sustainable development.
Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Modern Enterprise
The communities of northern Kenya have long harvested gums and resins such as Arabic gum and black myrrh, but this trade has remained largely informal. Unlike neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Sudan, Kenya had for years lacked the formal infrastructure needed to fully capitalize on its vast natural resources.
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Horn Afrik Limited is changing that narrative. With support from stakeholders including KCV and the Ewaso Ng’iro North River Basin Development Authority (ENNDA), the company has taken a strategic approach to formalizing and scaling up the gum and resin sector.
The Ewaso Ng’iro gum processing facility in Lanbib, Wajir County funded through ENNDA, is a major milestone. Once fully operational, the factory is expected to produce up to one tonne of processed gums and resins per day, translating to 365 tonnes annually. This capacity not only boosts Kenya’s competitiveness in the lucrative global gum and resins market. Kenya’s current contribution to the KES 672 Trillion global gums and resins market is estimated at KES 1.23 trillion (0.183%).
Impacting Lives, Building Resilience
Horn Afrik Limited impact on the ground is already evident. As of now, the company directly benefits 100 pastoralist households involved in the supply of raw materials, generating an estimated KES 8 million in cumulative household income in the year 2024.
For pastoralist communities, income diversification is not just a financial advantage; it is a resilience strategy. With climate-related shocks increasingly affecting livestock-based livelihoods, gum and resin harvesting offers a sustainable and reliable alternative. Revenues from black myrrh sales, in particular, have been transformative, allowing families to purchase medicine, invest in livestock and support their children’s education.
Moreover, the growth of this sector promises broader community benefits. Increased income circulation could catalyze local development projects in healthcare, education and infrastructure, ultimately raising living standards in Wajir and Marsabit.
Leading with Sustainability and Equity
Horn Afrik’s business is firmly rooted in sustainability and social inclusion. The company promotes responsible harvesting practices and supports community education on land stewardship and environmental conservation. These efforts not only ensure the long-term viability of gum production but also contribute to Kenya’s broader climate adaptation goals.
In engaging with marginalized communities, Horn Afrik fosters social equity, providing income opportunities in regions that have historically been left behind. By actively involving women and youth in the value chain, the company helps bridge disparities in income and access to opportunities.
Looking Ahead
As Kenya explores new avenues for green growth and climate adaptation, the gum and resin industry stands out as a beacon of untapped potential offering sustainable, nature-based livelihoods for pastoralist communities, reducing reliance on climate-vulnerable livestock and unlocking significant export opportunities from the country’s drylands. With companies like Horn Afrik Limited leading the charge, the sector not only drives rural income diversification but also aligns with national efforts to build resilience, promote environmental stewardship and foster inclusive economic development in marginalized regions.
In response to the growing demand driven by industrial applications, evolving consumer preferences and expanding regional trade, HornAfrik is strategically positioning Kenya as a key player in the global gum and resin value chain, with bold plans for further expansion.
Yet perhaps the company’s greatest achievement lies not just in export volumes or foreign revenue, but in the quiet empowerment of a pastoralist who now earns a sustainable income, educates their children and approaches the future with renewed hope.
