Government unveils exporters’ platform as Kenya seeks to close trade gap

Government unveils exporters’ platform as Kenya seeks to close trade gap

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KEPROBA Board Chairman Dennis Mwirigi said the agency would continue working with exporters and other stakeholders to strengthen market linkages, provide trade information and promote Kenyan products abroad.

The government has announced plans to establish quarterly exporters’ forums and a structured engagement platform between state agencies and businesses to address challenges limiting Kenyan products’ access to international markets.
The initiative comes as Kenya seeks to increase export earnings and reduce its widening trade deficit, with official figures showing exports grew marginally to Sh1.119 trillion in 2025, while imports climbed to Sh2.772 trillion.
The Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Lee Kinyanjui said exporters would have a formal channel to raise concerns affecting their businesses, particularly non-tariff barriers that continue to slow trade growth.
CS Kinyanjui said many businesses were struggling with obstacles beyond import duties, including regulatory restrictions, market entry requirements and other conditions imposed by destination markets.
“The new framework would enable faster identification and resolution of such challenges while helping businesses take advantage of opportunities created through trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and bilateral deals with the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK) and United Arab Emirates (UAE).”
The CS said Kenya must increase value addition, explore new markets and improve competitiveness to grow its share of global trade, noting that Africa remains a key destination for Kenyan exports, accounting for more than 40 per cent of export earnings.
Trade Principal Secretary (PS) Regina Ombam said the government was working on reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation, lowering operational costs, strengthening quality standards and supporting businesses to meet international market requirements.
“Creating an environment where exporters can compete effectively requires addressing issues affecting production, compliance and access to markets,” Ombam said.
Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) Board Chairman Dennis Mwirigi said the agency would continue working with exporters and other stakeholders to strengthen market linkages, provide trade information and promote Kenyan products abroad.
KEPROBA Chief Executive Officer Floice Mukabana said exporters continue to face challenges, including high logistics costs, changing international standards, limited value addition and dependence on traditional markets.
She said the forum brought together businesses from key sectors such as tea, coffee, horticulture, textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals, leather, dairy, meat, blue economy, mining, minerals and creative industries to discuss ways of improving Kenya’s export performance.
The government said the new engagement platform would focus on finding practical solutions to trade barriers as Kenya seeks to expand its presence in regional and global markets.

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