Kenya and the United Arab Emirates have concluded a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the first of its kind between the UAE and a mainland African country, positioning Kenya as a strategic gateway for trade, investment, and technology collaboration with the Gulf region.
To accelerate implementation of the agreement, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe held discussions with the UAE Ambassador to Kenya and the Al Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, with a focus on expanding cooperation in agriculture and livestock within the CEPA framework.
Kagwe highlighted key government priorities, including agricultural digitisation through KADIC, skills development via the Kenya School of Agriculture, Animal Health and Industry Training Institutes, and Bukura Agricultural College, enhanced extension services, improved market access through the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers, and infrastructure investments aimed at cutting post-harvest losses.
The Al Zayed Foundation, established in 1992 with a USD 1 billion endowment, indicated interest in supporting high-impact development initiatives aligned with these priorities.
Under CEPA, the UAE is currently Kenya’s second-largest source of imports and sixth-largest export destination. Kenya exports tea, meat, fruits, vegetables, and flowers to the UAE, while importing petroleum products, chemicals, and machinery.
The agreement, now before Parliament for ratification, is expected to eliminate trade barriers, streamline customs procedures, promote industrialisation, and expand digital trade and services, unlocking new growth opportunities for Kenyan exporters.