Kenya Trade & Business

Agriculture & Horticulture

Agriculture accounts for approximately 33% of GDP and employs over 40% of the workforce. Kenya is the world's leading exporter of black tea and a top exporter of cut flowers to Europe.

• Tea: World's largest exporter of black tea (500,000+ tonnes annually)
• Coffee: Premium Arabica coffee from the Kenyan highlands, known for its bright acidity
• Horticulture: Second-largest source of cut flowers globally; roses account for 70%+ of flower exports
• Other: Avocados, macadamia nuts, fresh vegetables for European markets

Technology & Fintech

Nairobi is known as "Silicon Savannah" and is Africa's leading tech hub:

• M-Pesa: The world's most successful mobile money platform, processing billions of dollars annually. Over 30 million active users in Kenya alone
• Tech hubs: iHub, Nairobi Garage, and numerous incubators attract startups and investors
• International presence: Google, Microsoft, IBM, and many global tech firms have African headquarters in Nairobi
• Konza Technopolis: A smart city development 60km from Nairobi aimed at becoming Africa's technology capital

Tourism

Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner, contributing approximately 10% of GDP. The sector employs over 1 million people directly and indirectly.

Manufacturing

Kenya has the most diversified manufacturing sector in East Africa, including food processing, textiles, cement, steel, and vehicle assembly (Toyota, Volkswagen, Peugeot).

• Port of Mombasa: East and Central Africa's largest port, handling over 30 million tonnes of cargo annually. Gateway for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and eastern DRC
• Standard Gauge Railway (SGR): Modern Chinese-built railway connecting Mombasa to Nairobi (and planned extension to the western border), significantly reducing cargo transit times
• JKIA: East Africa's busiest airport and a major cargo hub, especially for flower and vegetable exports to Europe
• Lamu Port (LAPSSET): New deepwater port under development, part of the LAPSSET corridor connecting to South Sudan and Ethiopia
• Special Economic Zones: Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu SEZs offer tax incentives for investors

Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)

KenInvest is the government agency that promotes and facilitates both local and foreign investment. They offer:

• Investment facilitation and aftercare services
• Information on incentives, regulations, and opportunities
• Support with permits and licences
• Diaspora investment programmes

Regional Trade Blocs

• East African Community (EAC): Common market of 300M+ people (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC)
• COMESA: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa - 21 member states
• AfCFTA: African Continental Free Trade Area - access to 1.3 billion people
• AGOA: African Growth and Opportunity Act - preferential access to US markets
• EU-EAC EPA: Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union

• East Africa's largest and most diversified economy
• Strategic gateway to 300M+ EAC market
• Young, educated, English-speaking workforce
• Africa's fintech leader (M-Pesa)
• Regional HQ for 100+ multinationals
• UN headquarters (UNON, UNEP, UN-Habitat)