Kenya Proposes Ambitious Plan to Double Trade with the UK to KSh 680 Billion by 2030

Kenya, 24 January 2026 - Kenya has launched fresh efforts to deepen commercial ties with the United Kingdom, unveiling plans aimed at boosting bilateral trade from around KSh340 billion today to KSh 680 billion by 2030 through a series of legal reforms, new agreements and investment-friendly policies.

The announcement was made at the UK-Kenya Business Forum 2026 in Nairobi, where government officials and business leaders discussed a proposed digital trade agreement, alongside plans to liberalise foreign participation in Kenya’s economy through amendments to key laws.

Kenya has begun formal discussions with UK counterparts on a digital trade agreement, reflecting a shared interest in expanding commerce in technology, services and e-commerce between the two economies.

Such a pact would align with modern trade patterns, particularly in services and digital goods, and support Kenya’s ambitions to tap into the UK’s advanced tech and services markets.

To attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI) and capital flows from UK investors, the government is also moving ahead with legislative changes:

Amending the Business Laws Act (2024) via the Business (Amendment) Laws Bill, 2026 to allow foreign ownership of insurance companies, a sector traditionally dominated by domestic shareholders.

Revising the Companies Act to remove registration restrictions that currently limit foreign lenders from operating fully in Kenya, which authorities say will help unlock more financing for Kenyan businesses and courts when disputes arise.

Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan Abubakar said these reforms are intended to boost capital inflows and support trade expansion, while encouraging British financial institutions and investors to participate more actively in Kenya’s markets.

Trade between Kenya and the UK has been on a steady upward trajectory in recent years, driven partly by post-Brexit trade arrangements that secured market access and tariff preferences for Kenyan exports.

According to UK government statistics, total trade in goods and services between the two countries reached around £2.1 billion (about Sh340 billion) in the year to mid-2025, an increase of nearly 12 % from the previous year, with Kenyan exports rising faster than UK imports.

Under this partnership, Kenya exported about £1.3 billion (≈ Sh209 billion) worth of goods and services to the UK in that period, while UK exports to Kenya totalled about £792 million ( Sh127 billion), highlighting existing trade depth and the opportunity for growth.

Efforts over the past few years have also unlocked new horticultural markets, for instance, Kenya’s first consignment of apple mangoes to the UK in late 2025, reflecting progress in meeting stringent UK food safety and phytosanitary standards and diversifying agricultural exports beyond traditional tea and coffee.

UK business participation in Kenya is significant. There are around 150 British companies operating locally, employing more than 250,000 people and contributing substantially to Kenya’s tax base and private sector growth, according to UK diplomatic sources.