Kenya continues to push for its export capacity and attract sustainable investment. It has received a major boost as the State Department for Trade hosted a high-level German delegation in Nairobi under the courtesy call of Konrad Lax, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy and Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam.
The meeting focused on the Green Investment, Business and Trade (GIBT) Programme, a flagship under the EU-Kenya trade and investment initiative.
The programme is designed to channel European investment into Kenya’s industries, with a strong emphasis on local value addition, industrialization and reducing reliance on raw material exports.
They highlighted important opportunities in two sectors: the textile and horticulture. The German delegation consists of supermarket chains and wholesalers who are expected to visit Kenya in September for an engagement with close to 30 Kenyan horticulture companies.
The visit is anticipated to open new market pathways for Kenyan produce, particularly fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables, which already have a strong reputation in Europe. For the textile industry, the GIBT will offer a chance to scale up production and diversify exports beyond traditional markets.
Principal Secretary Ombam reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to ensure the launch of the EU-Kenya Partnership Strategy. The State Department is in the process of conducting a comprehensive dissemination export readiness and enhancing inter-agency coordination to unlock greater trade and investment opportunities.
The exercise will guide stakeholders on implementation that will establish specific committees and strengthen export readiness among Kenyan firms. The meeting between Kenyan and German officials marks a pivotal step in deepening bilateral trade ties under the EU-Kenya framework.
