NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and the United Kingdom have sustained record bilateral trade valued at £2.1 billion (Sh360 billion) for the second consecutive quarter, underlining deepening commercial ties between the two countries.
The latest figures, released this week by the UK Government, show that total trade between the two partners remained at its highest-ever level in the four quarters ending September 2025, matching the record first achieved in the previous quarter.
The announcement comes days after the inaugural UK–Kenya Business Forum, held in Nairobi on January 22, 2026, which brought together nearly 400 participants and more than 200 businesses from both countries to strengthen investment and trade partnerships.
According to the joint statement, Kenya’s exports to the UK continue to drive the trade performance, led by strong demand for tea, coffee, and horticultural products.
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said the sustained performance reflects the impact of export promotion efforts and growing confidence in Kenya as an investment destination.
“Sustaining over £2.1 billion in trade for a second consecutive quarter underscores the growing confidence of UK businesses in Kenya as a trade and investment partner,” Kinyanjui said.
He added that the UK–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) continues to provide predictable market access for Kenyan exports, supporting value-added trade, job creation, and opportunities for young people across manufacturing, agribusiness, and services.
UK Chargé d’Affaires Dr Ed Barnett said the figures demonstrate the strength of the bilateral economic relationship.
“These record trade figures show the strength of the UK–Kenya economic partnership, which is delivering for big and small businesses alike,” Barnett said, adding that both governments are working to remove remaining trade barriers.
The Business Forum produced several concrete outcomes, including accelerated technical discussions on a Digital Trade Agreement, the Government of Kenya’s announcement of plans to liberalise the insurance sector by removing local ownership requirements, and the signing of memoranda of understanding on skills development and agri-tech supply chains between British and Kenyan firms.
Green financing also featured prominently, with the launch of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Kenya, which aims to help Kenyan climate-focused businesses become investment-ready. Kenyan firms can apply to the programme until March 11, 2026.
Officials said the two governments are continuing to work with industry players to deepen supply-chain integration, support Kenya’s reform agenda, and enable partnerships between the more than 150 British companies already operating in Kenya and a growing number of Kenyan firms expanding into global markets.
Recent data shows UK exports to Kenya rose by 4.5pc, while Kenyan exports to the UK increased by 12pc in the most recent quarter reviewed.
