The Kenyan government has announced a major breakthrough in its trade relations with China, unveiling a preliminary agreement that will allow 98.2 per cent of Kenyan exports to enter the Chinese market duty-free.
In a statement issued on January 15, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said the deal follows sustained bilateral talks aimed at correcting trade imbalances and widening Kenya’s export footprint beyond traditional markets.
The move comes after China recently rolled out duty-free and quota-free market access for African countries, a policy that largely favoured Least Developed Countries, leaving middle-income economies such as Kenya outside its full benefits. Nairobi responded by pushing for a tailored bilateral arrangement to secure equal footing with its regional peers.
Those negotiations have now yielded what the government describes as an “early harvest” framework, giving Kenyan producers preferential access to the Chinese market across almost all product categories.
Officials say the deal is expected to be a shot in the arm for Kenyan exporters, particularly in agriculture, which remains the backbone of the economy. By opening China’s vast consumer market to tea, coffee, horticulture and other value-added products, the government believes the agreement will help diversify exports, boost foreign earnings and create new jobs.
Also Read: EPRA Fuel Price Cuts Bring Limited Relief to Kenyan Consumers
The ministry also framed the deal as part of a broader strategy to reposition Kenya in global trade by forging targeted partnerships that go beyond traditional aid and infrastructure financing.
Kenya will now work with Chinese authorities to operationalise the framework and roll out implementation measures as the two countries deepen their commercial ties.
The government says the agreement marks a decisive step towards making Kenyan goods more competitive on the world stage and delivering tangible economic benefits to citizens.
