Kenya Launches EU EPA Implementation Strategy to Unlock Exports, Investment and Jobs

By Gedion Nzyoki -

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 9, 2026 — The government, through the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, has launched the Kenya-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Strategy, unveiling a roadmap aimed at helping Kenyan businesses capitalize on duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union market while boosting exports, attracting investment, accelerating industrialization and creating jobs.

Third from left, Regina Akoth Ombam, Principal Secretary for Trade in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, and EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger (centre), join other government and European Union officials for a group photo during the official launch of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Strategy in Nairobi on Thursday. Photo: State Department for Trade( Facebook)

Speaking on Thursday during the official launch at the iconic Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Trade in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Regina Akoth Ombam, who delivered the speech on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, described the strategy as a major milestone in Kenya's trade and economic development agenda.

Principal Secretary for Trade in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Regina Akoth Ombam, delivers her speech during the official launch of the Kenya-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Strategy in Nairobi on Thursday. Photo: State Department for Trade/Facebook.

She said the strategy would translate the opportunities created under the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement into tangible economic benefits for businesses and citizens.

The Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on July 1, 2024, granting Kenyan exports preferential access to one of the world's largest and most sophisticated markets.

Market Access Must Translate into Trade Growth

The PS noted that preferential market access alone would not automatically result in increased trade unless Kenyan enterprises are adequately prepared to compete internationally.

"Market access alone does not automatically translate into increased trade. We must deliberately position our businesses to seize the opportunities created by the Agreement. This requires coordinated action by Government, the private sector, development partners and other stakeholders," she said.

She explained that the newly launched implementation strategy provides a clear roadmap for translating the commitments under the agreement into measurable economic outcomes through interventions aimed at enhancing export competitiveness, strengthening productive capacity, improving compliance with international standards, facilitating trade, promoting investment and supporting value addition.

The strategy also prioritizes the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women-owned businesses and youth-led enterprises while advancing sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Supporting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda

Ombam said the implementation framework complements the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to accelerate production, industrialization, value addition and export diversification.

She added that the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment that enables Kenyan enterprises to compete successfully in regional and international markets through ongoing reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, strengthening trade infrastructure, enhancing logistics and supporting exporters.

"Trade remains a key driver of economic growth. We are therefore focused on creating an enabling environment that allows Kenyan enterprises to compete successfully in regional and international markets. The implementation of this Strategy complements ongoing Government initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business, strengthening trade infrastructure, enhancing logistics, promoting industrial development and supporting exporters,"she said.

Kenya-EU Partnership Extends Beyond Trade

Ombam described the European Union as one of Kenya's most important trading partners, noting that the relationship extends beyond commerce to include investment, technology transfer and development cooperation.

She said Kenya and the EU continue to collaborate in areas such as climate action, digital transformation, agriculture, innovation and sustainable development.

According to the Principal Secretary, the implementation strategy is designed to ensure that the benefits of the EPA reach businesses across the country, particularly MSMEs, women-owned enterprises, youth entrepreneurs and producers operating in Kenya's counties.

Call for Stakeholder Collaboration

Ombam emphasized that successful implementation of the strategy will require close collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, development partners and county governments.

She urged government agencies to coordinate the implementation of the identified interventions effectively while encouraging the private sector to invest in productivity, innovation, quality standards and export readiness.

She also appealed to development partners to continue supporting capacity building, institutional strengthening and trade facilitation initiatives, while calling on county governments to help local enterprises access export markets through value addition and stronger market linkages.

"The Ministry will continue providing leadership in coordinating implementation and monitoring progress to ensure that the objectives of the strategy are achieved," she said.

Success Will Be Measured by Economic Impact

The PS challenged stakeholders to view the launch not as the end of a process but as the beginning of a collective journey toward transforming Kenya's export sector.

"The true measure of our success will be reflected in increased exports, expanded investment, stronger industries, enhanced competitiveness and improved livelihoods for the people of Kenya," she said.

She encouraged institutions to align their programmes with the strategy and contribute meaningfully to its implementation.

Ombam concluded by commending the State Department for Trade, the European Union Delegation, TradeMark Africa and other stakeholders for developing the strategy, saying their collaboration demonstrates the value of strong partnerships in advancing Kenya's economic transformation.

EU Reaffirms Commitment to Kenya Partnership

The European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, said the unveiling of the strategy marks a significant milestone in strengthening Kenya-EU trade and economic relations through sustainable and inclusive growth.

"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," said Ambassador Geiger.

Kenya-EU Trade Continues to Grow

The Kenya-EU EPA entered 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, with a combined market valued at approximately USD 21.2 trillion.

The European Union accounts for about 21 percent of Kenya's annual exports

According to data from 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 principal exports to the EU include live plants and cut flowers, coffee, tea, spices, edible fruits and nuts, vegetables, as well as animal and vegetable fats and oilseeds.

Imports from the EU largely comprise machinery and mechanical appliances, pharmaceutical products, electrical machinery, motor vehicles, paper, paperboard, and pulp.

Six Priority Areas for Implementation

The implementation strategy outlines six priority thematic areas that will guide Kenya's efforts to maximize the benefits of the Economic Partnership Agreement. 

These include strengthening Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, improving standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment systems, enhancing customs and trade facilitation, leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT), promoting structured commodity trade, and advancing trade and sustainable development.

The government says implementing these priority interventions will strengthen Kenya's export capacity, improve compliance with international market requirements, enhance the competitiveness of local products and position more Kenyan businesses to take advantage of the duty-free and quota-free access provided under the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement.