The government is set to embark on a nationwide sensitisation programme to appraise the Kenyan business community on opportunities presented by the European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement.
The programme will provide comprehensive insights into the benefits and potential of the agreement, which promises to open new markets for Kenyan products across all 27 European Union member states.
Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya hailed the EPA as a transformative agreement that will significantly enhance Kenya’s trade prospects.
"It is crucial that both the business and investor communities are fully informed about the stakes involved—not only for the private sector but also for public and government agencies,” he stated.
The EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, commended the ministry’s efforts to streamline and operationalise the agreement.
"The EPA provides a unique opportunity for Kenya’s business community to access the European market duty-free. Once fully embraced and adopted, this agreement will significantly increase employment opportunities and strengthen economic ties between Kenya and the EU," Geiger said.
Mvurya and Geiger made the remarks at a joint press conference on Tuesday.
To ensure effective implementation, a trade mission from Brussels, Germany, is scheduled to visit Kenya in September.
The mission will work closely with the ministry to formulate a robust operationalisation structure for the EPA, ensuring that Kenyan businesses can fully capitalise on the opportunities available in the European market.
The EU-Kenya EPA is the most ambitious deal negotiated with an African country in terms of sustainability and can serve as a template for other sustainable trade agreements.
These commitments include binding provisions on labour issues, gender equality, the environment, and the fight against climate change.
The EU is Kenya’s second-largest trading partner and its most important export market. Total trade between the EU and Kenya reached €3 billion in 2023, with an increase of 16 per cent compared to 2018.
The EU’s imports from Kenya amount to €1.2 billion and are mainly vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
The EU's exports to Kenya amount to €1.7 billion and are mainly in mineral and chemical products and in machinery.
