On 18^th February 2025, KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki hosted the H.E. Luis Alejandro Levit, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic at KEPSA offices in an engagement that discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade between Kenya and Argentina, with an emphasis on fostering economic cooperation in both goods and services. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Demian Dobry, First Secretary at the Embassy and Mr. Joaquin Salzberg, Argentinian Diplomat - Environmental Affairs. Ms. Stacey Mwende, Marketing and Membership Officer at KEPSA attended the meeting.

During the discussion, the Ambassador shared insights into Argentina’s economic journey, notably its recovery from the 2001 financial crisis. This crisis had a profound impact on the country, but through resilient policy measures, Argentina has managed to rebuild its economy, now reaching its lowest inflation rate in nearly a decade. This recovery serves as a valuable lesson for Kenya’s private sector, especially regarding economic management and overcoming challenges to foster sustainable growth. Both sides emphasised the importance of enhancing collaboration between business leaders and government officials from both countries to facilitate trade and create a more conducive business environment.

A major point of focus was Argentina’s involvement in modernising Kenya’s tea industry. The Ambassador highlighted Argentina’s role in introducing advanced machinery to Kenya, which has significantly improved tea production efficiency and supported the adoption of new technology in the sector. This collaboration has already had a positive impact on the competitiveness of Kenyan tea in global markets, and discussions revolved around expanding this technological partnership to other sectors to drive broader industrial growth in Kenya.

Beyond tea, Argentina expressed strong interest in diversifying its trade relations with Kenya. Discussions covered potential collaborations in textiles, steel, aluminum, technology, wine, and food, with the aim of fostering deeper bilateral trade ties. This diversification would provide Kenya with access to Argentina’s expertise across various industries, driving mutual growth and innovation.

The importance of South-South cooperation was highlighted, with both parties agreeing that strengthened trade ties between Kenya and Argentina are key to achieving sustainable development in the Global South. Kenya, as the most industrialised country in East and Central Africa, offers a strategic entry point to the East African Community (EAC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) markets. In turn, Argentina, one of the largest economies in South America, serves as an important gateway for Kenya to access the growing markets of Latin America.

The meeting also covered upcoming Agribusiness and Healthcare events organised by Argentina, which both parties agreed should include Kenyan participation. These events will offer valuable networking opportunities, showcase innovations, and open avenues for collaboration. Furthermore, the need to explore ways to reduce tariffs and eliminate trade barriers was discussed to ensure smoother and more efficient business operations between the two countries.

The Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services (CAC) was identified as KEPSA’s key counterpart in Argentina, with both parties recognising the importance of working closely with this organisation to unlock further trade and investment opportunities.

The next steps included organising virtual meetings between Kenyan and Argentine businesses to foster B2B linkages and facilitate cross-border collaborations. Both parties also committed to advancing cooperation in textiles, steel, aluminum, technology, wine, and food sectors. KEPSA will support Kenyan participation in Argentina’s upcoming Agribusiness and Healthcare events, while continuing to work on regulatory reforms that ease trade and open new opportunities. This meeting marks the beginning of a promising future for bilateral trade between Kenya and Argentina, establishing a strong foundation for further economic cooperation and development.