Kenya Launches 10-Year Kenya-EU Trade Strategy to Boost Exports, Investment and Jobs.

By Michael Nyamai - 

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 9, 2026 – The Kenyan government has launched the Kenya-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Strategy, a 10-year roadmap aimed at helping businesses, farmers, manufacturers, and exporters maximize opportunities in the European market while driving economic growth, investment, and job creation.

Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam (right) and European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger (left) during the launch of the Kenya-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Strategy in Nairobi on July 9, 2026. Photo: Courtesy.

The strategy is designed to enable Kenyan enterprises to fully utilize duty-free, quota-free access to the 27-member European Union market, enhancing the country's competitiveness and expanding export opportunities.

Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam said the implementation strategy aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), providing a clear roadmap for implementing the trade agreement and unlocking its full economic potential.

"This Strategy provides an effective roadmap for implementing the EPA, thereby promoting sustainable economic growth, expanding trade, and advancing prosperity for our nation," Ombam said.

European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger described the launch as a major milestone in strengthening Kenya-EU trade and economic relations, saying the implementation strategy will translate the agreement into tangible opportunities for Kenyan businesses and exporters.

"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.

The Kenya-EU EPA came into force on July 1, 2024, securing duty-free and quota-free access for Kenyan exports to the EU, Kenya's largest export destination and second-largest trading partner. The European market, valued at approximately USD 21.2 trillion, accounts for about 21 percent of Kenya's annual exports.

According to the International Trade Centre, Kenya exported goods worth USD 1.85 billion to the EU in 2025, while imports from the bloc were valued at approximately USD 1.74 billion. Kenya's key exports include cut flowers, coffee, tea, spices, fresh fruits, vegetables, and oilseeds, while imports mainly comprise machinery, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, and paper products.

The implementation strategy focuses on six priority areas: sanitary and phytosanitary measures, standards and conformity assessment, customs and trade facilitation, information and communication technology (ICT), structured commodity trade, and trade and sustainable development.

The government says these interventions will strengthen Kenya's export capacity, improve the country's competitiveness in international markets, and ensure that more Kenyan businesses benefit from expanded access to the European market.

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