Kenya Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in kenya, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Trade Agreements
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Multilateral Trade System (MTS): 

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the primary international organization dealing with global rules of trade between nations. Kenya has been a member of the WTO since its inception in January 1995. The WTO’s 10th Ministerial Conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2015. The Conference culminated in the adoption of the “Nairobi Package,” a series of six ministerial decisions on agriculture, cotton, and issues related to least-developed countries (LDCs). The latest EAC Trade Policy Review by WTO took place in March 2019.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): 

Kenya was among nearly 55 African nations that signed a deal to create the AfCFTA in Kigali, Rwanda, on March 21, 2018, marking a historic milestone in the economic integration of the continent. The formation of a free trade area spanning the continent creates a single market of 1.3 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product of more than $3.4 trillion. (World Bank).

U.S. – EAC Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA): 

The United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the EAC in 2008, and with COMESA in 2001. Kenya is a member of both regional organizations. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Africa Office is also leading U.S. efforts to forge a new trade and investment partnership with the East African Community.

Regional Markets: 

Kenya is a member of the EAC with a population of approximately 283.7   million across the countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Congo, Uganda, and Tanzania. It is also a member of COMESA at https://www.comesa.int/  with a population of approximately 540 million. Exports and imports within member countries enjoy preferential tariff rates. EAC Member States signed a Protocol to establish a common Customs Union.

ACP/Cotonou Partnership Agreement: 

Exports from Kenya entering the European Union are entitled to duty reductions and freedom from all quota restrictions. Trade preferences include duty-free entry of all industrial products as well as a wide range of agricultural products, including beef, fish, dairy products, cereals, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Additional information is available at African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States.

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): 

Under the Act, Kenya qualifies for duty free access to the U.S. market.    Kenyan apparel and agricultural exports are the main qualifying beneficiaries of AGOA.

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): 

Under the Generalized System of Preferences, a wide range of Kenya’s manufactured products are entitled to preferential duty treatment in the Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, other European markets, and the United States. In addition, no quantitative restrictions are applicable to Kenyan exports on any of the 3,000-plus items currently eligible for GSP treatment. Additional information is available at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development..

Bilateral Trade Agreements: 

Kenya has signed bilateral trade agreements with many countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Egypt, Hungary, India, Iraq, Lesotho, Liberia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Korea, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In December 2023, Kenya and the EU signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost bilateral trade in goods and increase investment flows.  The partnership will come into effect once ratified by each party’s parliament.

U.S - Kenya Trade Engagements:

In July 2020, the United States and Kenya entered negotiations to seek a high standard agreement that will also complement regional integration efforts within the EAC and AfCFTA. In July 2022, the two governments announced their intention to negotiate a Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP). Under STIP, the governments will pursue enhanced engagements to craft high-standard commitments in a wide range of areas with a view to increasing investment; promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth; benefiting workers, consumers, and businesses (including micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises); and supporting African regional economic integration. Negotiators hope to conclude the STIP negotiations by the end of 2024.

In April 2023, the Kenyan Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Industry, the American Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Embassy signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing a mechanism for investment dialogue and improving the business environment.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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