The government has unveiled a 10-year roadmap aimed at helping Kenyan farmers, manufacturers and exporters fully tap into the Ksh2.7 quadrillion (USD 21.2 trillion) European Union market, in a move expected to boost exports, attract investment and create thousands of jobs.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The strategy aims to help Kenyan businesses fully utilise the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which grants duty-free and quota-free access to the 27-member EU market. It provides a roadmap for meeting European market requirements and expanding exports.

The initiative is expected to benefit Kenyan farmers, many of whom have struggled to access international markets due to strict export standards, costly certification requirements and limited market access.

By strengthening product standards, improving customs and trade facilitation, supporting compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, and enhancing access to market information, the government says the strategy will enable more farmers and exporters to access European buyers while improving the competitiveness of Kenyan products.

📌 What You Need to Know

Speaking during the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said the strategy demonstrates Kenya's commitment to creating a resilient, competitive and sustainable trading environment that enables businesses of all sizes to access the European market.

"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," Kinyanjui said.

Moreover, the strategy prioritises six areas, including product standards, customs and trade facilitation, ICT, sanitary measures and sustainable trade, to help Kenyan businesses meet international requirements and compete more effectively in the EU market.

The European Union remains Kenya's largest export market and second-largest trading partner, accounting for about 21 per cent of the country's exports. Kenya exported USD 1.85 billion worth of goods to the EU in 2025, while imports stood at USD 1.74 billion.

Additionally, Kenya's key exports to Europe include cut flowers, tea, coffee, fruits, vegetables, spices, edible nuts, and vegetable oils, while imports largely comprise machinery, pharmaceutical products, electrical equipment, and motor vehicles.

European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger described the strategy's launch as a major milestone in strengthening trade relations between Kenya and the EU.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke