Exporters, government call for more collaboration to promote export growth

Non-tariff barriers remain a significant impediment to Kenya’s export growth, and genuine cooperation between government and the private sector is needed to scale these hurdles, a cabinet secretary has said.

Investments, Trade and Industry CS Lee Kinyanjui on Wednesday evening said despite economic growth, there is a widening gap between Kenyan exports and imports, significantly affecting the trade deficit.

“The greatest challenge facing many of our exporters today is not tariffs, but non-tariff barriers. Addressing these challenges requires a genuine partnership between Government and the private sector,” Kinyanjui said.

He spoke at the inaugural Exporters’ Dinner organized by the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) in Nairobi.

According to the 2026 Economic Survey, Kenya’s economy grew by 4.6 per cent in 2025, while exports increased marginally by 0.6 per cent to reach Sh1.119 trillion.

However, imports rose to Sh2.772 trillion, widening the trade deficit to Sh1.653 trillion.

Key export earners in 2025 included tea, cut flowers, fruits and vegetables, apparel, and coffee.

Kinyanjui said the figures underscore the need for deliberate interventions to boost exports, particularly through value addition, improved logistics, compliance support, and market intelligence.

As part of the solution to the non-tariff barriers, the CS said, the government plans to institutionalize quarterly exporters’ forums and establish a structured government-exporters network for the rapid identification and resolution of the non-tariff barriers (NTBs).

This will provide exporters with a formal platform to engage government, address market access challenges, and unlock emerging trade opportunities.

The government believes this will accelerate Kenya’s export growth and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in global markets.

“We will establish a structured mechanism for rapid identification, reporting, and resolution of trade barriers affecting Kenyan exports,” Kinyanjui said.

This comes at a time Kenya is seeking to narrow its trade deficit and increase export earnings through market diversification, value addition, and enhanced private sector participation in international trade.

The CS urged exporters to take advantage of the vast opportunities available under regional integration frameworks, particularly the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), which presents access to a market of over 1.4 billion consumers.

Africa currently accounts for more than 40 per cent of Kenya’s export earnings, making it the country’s largest export destination.

Kenya continues to enjoy preferential access to some of the world’s largest markets through frameworks such as the AfCFTA, East African Community (EAC), COMESA, the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, the Kenya-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement, AGOA, and the Kenya-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

“Think of Africa not simply as a neighbouring market, but as a growth frontier. The opportunities within the EAC, COMESA and the wider African market are immense and largely untapped,” Kinyanjui said.

Trade PS Regina Ombam said the government will strengthen its focus on Kenya’s export ecosystem through targeted policy and institutional interventions.

She said the government remains firmly committed to creating an enabling environment for exporters.

“We are working to improve trade facilitation, reduce the cost of doing business, strengthen quality infrastructure, support product diversification, and promote value addition across key sectors,” she said.

These efforts are intended to ensure that Kenyan enterprises can compete effectively in international markets.

Keproba chair Dennis Mwirigi called for deeper collaboration among stakeholders across the export ecosystem to build on Kenya’s growing reputation as a reliable supplier of quality products and services.

Mwirigi said Keproba will continually work to drive export growth through market intelligence, trade facilitation, business matchmaking, exporter capacity building, and promotion of the ‘Made in Kenya’ brand.

Keproba CEO Florence Mukabana said Kenyan products and services are currently exported to over 100 international markets, reflecting the growing global footprint of the Kenyan brand.

However, despite the resilience and growth of Kenyan export products and services, Mukabana said, the persistent challenges, including logistics bottlenecks, evolving market compliance requirements, limited value addition, and overreliance on traditional markets, must be addressed quickly.

“Stronger collaboration between government and the private sector will be crucial in overcoming these barriers,” the CEO said.

The inaugural Exporters’ Dinner brought together leading exporters from fourteen priority value chains, including tea, coffee, horticulture, textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals, leather, dairy, meat, blue economy, mining and minerals, and creative industries. 

Instant Analysis:

The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) is a state corporation established after the merger of the Export Promotion Council and Brand Kenya Board. Keproba’s mandate is to implement export promotion and nation branding initiatives and policies to promote Kenya’s export of goods and services.