Trade Ministry 2026 Budget Plan Targets Exports, Investment and Industry

NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives (MITI) presented its 2026 Budget Policy Statement to Parliament on Thursday, outlining strategic priorities aimed at boosting exports, attracting investment, and driving industrial transformation.

Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam joined Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to present the statement. 

The CS emphasized the Ministry’s central role in job creation, wealth generation, export growth, and investment facilitation, and stressed the importance of aligning budgetary allocations with Kenya’s broader economic transformation agenda.

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Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam joined the Cabinet Secretary @GovLeeKinyanjui today before the @NAssemblyKE Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to present the 2026 Budget Policy Statement for the @MITIKenyaThe Cabinet Secretary highlighted

6:10 pm · 19 Feb 2026

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He noted that adequate resourcing is critical for the Ministry to deliver on its mandate in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.

The Ministry highlighted three strategic priorities for 2026:

1. Driving export growth: MITI aims for a sustained 10% annual expansion in exports by deepening market access under regional agreements such as EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA, while leveraging key bilateral arrangements including the Kenya–EU EPA, Kenya–UAE CEPA, China Early Harvest Arrangement, and the extended AGOA framework with the United States to strengthen Kenya’s position in regional and global value chains.
   
2. Advancing investment reforms: The Ministry plans to implement the National Investment Strategy and enhance the ease of doing business framework, aiming to increase private investment from 15% of GDP to 20% by 2027 and 24% by 2030.
   
3. Spearheading industrial transformation: MITI seeks to increase manufacturing’s contribution to GDP from 7.2% to 15% by 2027 and 20% by 2030. Key interventions include the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), reforms in the leather value chain, development of local automotive manufacturing, strengthening of standards infrastructure, and green industrialisation initiatives.
   

The Budget Policy Statement outlines a roadmap for Kenya’s trade and industrial sector to expand its global competitiveness, attract investment, and generate jobs, positioning the country for sustainable economic growth in line with national development goals.