President William Ruto with outgoing European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger at State House, Nairobi /HANDOUT
Kenya’s trade with the European Union has grown by 20 per cent to reach Sh494 billion annually, President William has said.
Ruto said this as he bade farewell to outgoing EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger.
The President hosted Geiger at State House, Nairobi, where he highlighted the strong relationship between Kenya and the EU, which is the country’s largest single export market.
Trade between the two sides has grown since Kenya and the EU signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in July 2024.
The deal made it easier for Kenyan goods to reach the European market by allowing products such as cut flowers, tea, coffee and horticultural produce to be sold there without import taxes or limits on the amount that can be exported.
This is important for Kenyan farmers and businesses that rely on Europe as a major market for their products.
At the same time, Kenya buys machinery, chemical products and mineral products from the EU, creating a flow of goods between the two markets worth billions of shillings every year.
Since the EPA was signed, trade between Kenya and the EU has increased by 20 per cent, bringing the value of annual trade to $3.8 billion, or about Sh494 billion.
“The European Union is Kenya’s largest single export destination and a strategic bilateral partner,” Ruto said.
But Kenya’s relationship with the EU is not only about buying and selling goods.
The two sides also work together in areas such as digital innovation, climate change and regional security.
Geiger has served as the EU ambassador to Kenya during a period in which the relationship between the two sides has grown stronger.
As he said goodbye to the outgoing ambassador, Ruto recognised her role in building closer ties between Kenya and the EU.
“During the time the envoy represented the EU in our country, our ties have significantly strengthened,” Ruto said.
Her departure comes at a time when Kenya’s trade with Europe is growing, giving local farmers, producers and businesses greater access to one of the world’s biggest markets.
With KSh494 billion in annual trade and cooperation stretching beyond business, Kenya and the EU are expected to continue building on a relationship that has grown significantly in recent years.
