The fourth e-discussion titled Pilot to Scale: Upscaling Black Soldier Fly Production in Kenya was initiated by Charity Kelsy from Egerton University on January 20 and was closed on February 2, 2026. Overall, the e-discussion captured 29 impressions from the members registered to the Synergy Forum and have shown interest in topics related to INCITIS-FOOD.
From Local Success to Systemic Impact
In Kenya, Black Soldier Fly (BSF) rearing has already demonstrated its value as a solution for organic waste management, climate-smart protein production, and circular economy innovation. Farmers involved in the INCiTiS-FOOD Living Lab have shown that both technical implementation and community adoption are achievable. However, scaling these successes remains complex.
Participants highlighted several persistent challenges: inconsistent supply of organic waste, unclear or fragmented regulatory frameworks, lack of clear roles across the value chain, and limited confidence from financial institutions. These barriers underscore the need for coordinated action across policy, finance, and industry stakeholders.
Therefore, this e-discussion sought to explore pathways for upscaling BSF production to unlock the full potential of the sector.
Setting the Scene: Guiding the Discussion
To steer the conversation and ensure a comprehensive exploration of the topic, the e-discussion was framed around several key questions:
- How can stakeholders identify, standardize and optimize substrate for Black Soldier Fly production?
- What policy/regulatory frameworks or standards are needed to support safe upscaling of Black Soldier Fly production?
- What strategies can be put in place to minimize financial and operational risks for commercial banks to view the sector as a viable and secure investment opportunity?
- How can stakeholders in the Black Soldier Fly sector collaborate to create clear roles along the value chain and reduce market fragmentation?
- What measures can Black Soldier Fly producers and researchers adopt to prevent inbreeding in breeding colonies?
These guiding questions helped shape a dynamic exchange of ideas, bringing forward both practical experiences and policy-level reflections.
The Policy Puzzle: Lessons from Europe
One of the key contributions to the discussion examined regulatory frameworks, drawing lessons from the European Union. While the EU has been a pioneer in legitimising insects as feed and food, its regulatory system was described as fragmented and difficult to navigate. Overlapping rules across food safety, animal by-products, waste management, and environmental protection have created uncertainty and increased compliance costs for producers.
A critical tension also exists between circular economy goals and strict substrate regulations. Although BSF production is often promoted as a way to valorise organic waste, regulatory limitations on allowable feedstock have, in practice, restricted access to affordable inputs. This has weakened the economic viability of the sector.
For African policymakers, the takeaway is clear: rather than replicating existing models, there is an opportunity to design integrated, risk-based frameworks from the outset. Harmonised standards, clear guidelines for substrate use, and alignment between environmental, food, and waste policies could support safer and more efficient scaling. Equally important is ensuring that public funding mechanisms are tied to real market performance, rather than only to capacity building.
Strengthening the Value Chain Through Collaboration
Another key theme that emerged was the importance of collaboration across the BSF value chain, particularly in feedstock sourcing. Experiences shared from the private sector highlighted how inconsistent access to organic waste directly affects production outcomes, including larvae growth, yield, and operational planning.
A practical pathway forward is the development of joint feedstock sourcing systems, bringing together waste aggregators, farms, food processors, markets, and BSF producers. By defining clear input specifications, such as acceptable substrate types, moisture levels, and contamination thresholds, stakeholders can reduce variability and improve efficiency.
Such standardisation not only enhances production performance but also contributes to greater transparency and predictability – two critical factors for attracting investment and positioning the BSF sector as a reliable and scalable industry.
Towards an Investable and Resilient Sector
The discussion also touched on broader strategies for reducing financial and operational risks. Building trust with commercial banks will require clearer standards, consistent performance data, and stronger coordination across the value chain. Similarly, addressing technical challenges, such as maintaining genetic diversity in breeding colonies, remains an important area for ongoing research and knowledge sharing.
Looking Ahead
The fourth INCiTiS-FOOD e-discussion reaffirmed that the potential of Black Soldier Fly production goes far beyond pilot projects. With the right mix of policy alignment, stakeholder collaboration, and market-oriented approaches, the sector can play a key role in advancing circular food systems and sustainable protein production.
As the INCiTiS-FOOD community continues to exchange knowledge and co-create solutions, these insights provide a valuable foundation for shaping the next phase of development – one that is inclusive, scalable, and grounded in real-world experience.
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