KEPSA, led by the Chair Dr Jas Bedi, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam on 21^st February 2025 in an engagement that deliberated on ways to unlock trade and investment between Kenya and Vietnam. The meeting was attended by Mary Ngechu - KEPSA Director, SMEs & Startup; Timothy Odongo – Membership, Marketing and Partnership Manager; Tran Chi Thanh – Deputy Director General, Department of Economic Affairs, Vietnam; Nguyen Phuong Tra – Ag Director General, Department of the Middle East Africa, Vietnam.

The meeting comes on the backdrop of H.E. Hang’s two-day official visit to Kenya to discuss bilateral cooperation, with the desire to further strengthen the economic cooperation between Kenya and Vietnam. Kenyan agribusinesses, particularly in coffee, tea, and nuts, have opportunities to expand exports to Vietnam’s growing consumer market, while Vietnamese firms can have the potential to leverage Kenya as a strategic entry point into the East African region.

Over the past five years, Vietnam's exports to Kenya have experienced a modest annual growth rate of 0.78%, increasing from $57.2 million in 2018 to $59.5 million in 2023. As of 2023, trade between Kenya and Vietnam has shown notable growth, with Vietnam exporting approximately $59.5 million worth of goods to Kenya and importing about $22 million from Kenya.

During the discussions, H.E. Hang emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to self-reliance by implementing policies aimed at strengthening its economy through export-led growth. She highlighted Vietnam’s strategic shift towards diversifying its trade partnerships beyond its traditional markets, seeking to expand its reach to new regions across the globe.

On his part, Dr. Bedi emphasized the importance of Vietnam diversifying its trade partnerships and tapping into Africa’s growing market. He highlighted that with 70% of its population under the age of 30, Africa boasts a youthful, educated and highly skilled workforce, offering a strong labour force to support industrial growth and economic expansion.

H.E Hang extended an invitation to the KEPSA team, led by the Chair, to participate as well as speak to Vietnamese policymakers and business people on trade and investment opportunities in Kenya in the upcoming 2025 P4G Hanoi Summit. The conference, which is scheduled for April 2025, will focus on innovations and actionable strategies that support entrepreneurship, accelerate global climate finance and deliver country level climate transitions.