The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Irish Embassy have agreed to deepen their collaboration to significantly boost trade and investment between Kenya and Ireland, with a commitment to strengthening Kenya's private sector through targeted initiatives. In an engagement between the KEPSA CEO Ms Carole Kariuki and the Ambassador of Ireland H.E. Caitríona Ingoldsby, that was held on 9^th June 2025, discussions centred on unlocking business opportunities, boosting private sector growth, and supporting youth and women entrepreneurs within a risk-aware investment framework.

The Irish Embassy expressed a strong commitment to partnering with Kenya’s private sector to identify viable companies and investment prospects. Both parties emphasised the importance of understanding risk appetite to structure partnerships that deliver mutual value and sustainable economic impact. Aligning Kenya’s business environment with global market trends and improving trade agreements was recognised as critical for long-term growth.

Key lessons from Brexit were highlighted, especially concerning trade disruptions and economic adjustments. These insights underscore the need for carefully crafted regional and international trade agreements. Kenya’s evolving economy presents attractive investment opportunities that can be maximized by strengthening trade frameworks and adopting agile business strategies.

Regional trade issues were also discussed, focusing on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Concerns about limited adaptation of EU integration lessons were raised, along with geopolitical shifts such as the UK’s revised trade policies and Mali’s exit from ECOWAS, which may influence regional trade stability. There was consensus on the need for Kenya to benchmark against successful countries driving regional trade reforms.

Logistics challenges affecting Africa-Europe trade, including inefficient transport networks, complex border processes, and port delays, were discussed referencing the Pangea report. These issues raise costs and hamper competitiveness of African goods in European markets. Addressing logistics inefficiencies will be key to expanding bilateral trade.

To facilitate ongoing dialogue, joint business forums will be organized involving the Irish Embassy, Kenyan government ministries, KenInvest, KEPSA, and private sector stakeholders. These forums aim to foster partnerships, share market intelligence, and support cross-border trade and investment.

KEPSA reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies that enhance trade facilitation and private sector growth. The role of Irish businesses in deepening Kenya’s trade and investment ecosystem was underscored.

Empowering youth and women entrepreneurs featured prominently. The meeting highlighted a business accelerator program targeting these groups, supported by the MasterCard Foundation. Complementary initiatives like the Kenya Youth Empowerment Project (KYEP) provide critical training, mentorship, and financing to nurture emerging businesses.

Overall, the meeting reinforced a shared vision to deepen Kenya-Ireland economic cooperation, promote inclusive growth, and strengthen private sector-led development opportunities.