NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and Mauritius have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade and strengthening intra-African commerce following a high-level trade and investment forum held in Nairobi.
The Mauritius–Kenya Trade and Investment Promotion Forum brought together 25 Mauritian firms alongside Kenyan businesses, creating a platform to explore investment opportunities, forge partnerships, and boost commercial linkages between the two economies.
Officials from the State Department for Trade said the engagement reflects growing economic cooperation between the two countries, as both position themselves as key players in advancing regional trade.
Speaking on behalf of Principal Secretary Regina Ombam, Acting Director of Internal Trade Elizabeth Miguda noted that Kenya and Mauritius continue to record steady progress in economic relations, supported by expanding private sector collaboration and policy alignment.
She highlighted Kenya’s strategic role as a gateway to East and Central Africa, offering access to a market of more than 300 million people, alongside a diversified manufacturing base, improving infrastructure, and a dynamic private sector.
“Strengthening partnerships with countries such as Mauritius is vital in promoting value addition, industrialisation and expanded market access,” Miguda said.
The forum comes at a time when African countries are increasingly prioritising regional integration as a pathway to economic growth, with policymakers seeking to reduce reliance on external markets.
The engagement aligns with key continental and regional trade frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the East African Community.
These blocs are designed to boost intra-African trade by reducing tariffs, harmonising regulations, and improving cross-border trade infrastructure.
The forum also signals Kenya’s broader push to attract foreign direct investment while supporting local enterprises to scale into regional and continental markets.
As African economies continue to integrate under frameworks like AfCFTA, bilateral engagements such as the Nairobi forum are expected to play a critical role in translating policy commitments into tangible trade and investment outcomes.
