Kenya and EU representatives during the launch during of the implementation strategy in Nairobi on July 9, 2026/COURTESY
Kenya has launched a 10-year implementation strategy for the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), outlining a roadmap to help businesses, farmers and manufacturers maximise opportunities under the trade pact.
The strategy, unveiled by Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui Thursday, is intended to guide the country in fully exploiting the duty-free, quota-free access to the 27-member European Union market.
Kinyanjui said the framework demonstrates Kenya's commitment to building a resilient, competitive and sustainable trading environment while unlocking new investment and job creation opportunities.
"The Kenya-EU EPA aims to secure existing markets while unlocking new opportunities for Kenyan enterprises, attracting investment and promoting job creation. This strategy therefore serves as a guiding framework to harness the full potential of the EPA," he said.
European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger described the launch as a significant milestone in strengthening Kenya-EU trade and economic relations.
"The launch of the implementation strategy is an important step in translating the agreement into tangible opportunities for Kenyan businesses and exporters. The EU remains committed to working closely with the Government of Kenya and the private sector to ensure that the EPA delivers inclusive growth and long-term benefits for both sides," Geiger said.
Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam said the strategy aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
She added that the roadmap will promote sustainable economic growth, expand trade and advance the country's prosperity.
The Kenya-EU EPA entered into force on July 1, 2024, guaranteeing Kenyan exports duty-free and quota-free access to the EU, Kenya's largest export destination and second-largest trading partner.
By signing the agreement, Kenya became the first East African Community (EAC) member to implement such a trade deal with the EU.
The EPA is particularly significant because the EU is Kenya's largest export destination and second-largest trading partner, accounting for about 21 per cent of Kenya's annual exports.
It provides Kenyan exporters with long-term certainty and predictable market access, especially for key agricultural products.
The European market accounts for about 21 per cent of Kenya's annual exports.
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Kenya exported goods worth USD 1.85 billion to the EU in 2025, while imports from the bloc stood at approximately USD 1.74 billion.
Kenya's leading exports to the EU include flowers, coffee, tea, spices, fruits, vegetables and edible oils, while imports mainly comprise machinery, pharmaceutical products, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, paper and paper products.
The implementation strategy prioritises six key areas: sanitary and phytosanitary measures, standards and conformity assessment, customs and trade facilitation, information and communication technology, structured commodity trade, and trade and sustainable development.
Unlike a simple tariff reduction pact, the EPA also contains commitments on sustainable development, labour rights and environmental protection.
