Kenya is in the final stages of preparing its national strategy to implement the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, the State Department for Trade has announced. The strategy aims to maximize the benefits of the EPA, which came into force on July 1, 2024.
The draft strategy outlines a roadmap for expanding Kenya’s access to the EU market, increasing export volumes, and diversifying both export destinations and product offerings. Currently, Kenya’s primary export markets in the EU include Germany, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Italy. The goal is to extend reach to at least half of the EU’s 27 member states over the next decade.
The plan also focuses on broadening Kenya’s traditional export portfolio, dominated by tea, coffee, and horticulture, by including more value-added and manufactured products to strengthen competitiveness and income generation.
At a recent workshop held in Naivasha, senior technical officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) completed a review of the draft strategy. Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam emphasized the importance of the strategy in aligning the EPA’s implementation with Kenya’s national development goals.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that the implementation of the EPA is effective and aligns with our national priorities,” said PS Ombam. “This workshop provides a platform to develop a robust framework for tracking the progress of the EPA implementation.”
She described the agreement as a major milestone in Kenya’s trade relations, highlighting its potential to enhance economic cooperation, strengthen investment opportunities, and ensure duty- and quota-free access for Kenyan goods to the EU market.
The strategy focuses on six key thematic areas:
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures to meet EU health standards and facilitate trade;
- Trade and Sustainable Development to promote responsible and environmentally conscious commerce;
- Customs Harmonization and Trade Facilitation to ease cross-border procedures;
- Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs) to address compliance with EU standards;
- Digital Trade through the use of ICT tools; and
- Structured Commodities as a strategic avenue to boost exports.
With the strategy nearing completion, Kenya aims to unlock the full economic potential of its EPA with the EU and solidify its position as a key trade partner in the region.
Written By Rodney Mbua
