The EU-Kenya Business Forum kicked off on 21^st February 2023 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper hill in Nairobi. The Business Forum was organized by European Union (EU) in partnership with KEPSA and European Business Council. The 2-day conference aimed at sharing key components of sustainable trade and investment opportunities in different sectors.  The event, which was graced by the President of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Dr William Samoei Ruto, hosted over 250 companies from all countries in the EU and another 250 Kenyan companies.

During the opening ceremony, Ms Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya, acknowledged that the partnership between Kenya and the EU is both political and economic. She termed Kenya as a crucial partner to the EU while commending her entrepreneurial spirit and the government’s commitment to the creation of jobs and reinvigorating investments. She concluded by thanking the KEPSA and the European Business Council for invaluable support while calling for a stronger relationship.

Hon Moses Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Investment & Industry assured the EU delegation that Kenya views the partnership as strategic and important. He iterated that Kenya is open to hosting EU businesses and investments, expressing the hope that after the business forum, a deal book will be opened to document the Kenya-EU partnerships and investments. He further assured the EU delegations of Kenya’s commitment to regional partnership highlighting the trifoliate (SADAC, COMESA and EAC) as a rich market for investment once concluded.

Hon. Oliver Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad noted that the Kenya-EU partnership is based on shared commitments and collective action and is mutually beneficial. He singled out digital transformation and Agriculture as some of the potential areas of partnerships while calling for strengthened partnerships to make Kenya the investment destination for EU private businesses and investments.

The European Investment Bank Vice President Thomas Ostro on his part noted the timeliness of the business forum and highlighted the bank’s commitment to ensuring access to finance for African businesses through targeted financing to vulnerable groups as well as those affected by the global crises including the Covid- 19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.

While welcoming the delegation to Kenya, Hon. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, assured the EU delegation that the Kenyan government is committed to facilitating businesses and not frustrating businesses.

In his keynote address, H.E President Dr Ruto mentioned that the robust attendance was a sign of value in the partnership that exists between Kenya and the EU. He appreciated the bilateral strategic dialogue that has existed between Kenya and the EU terming it as one which has been beneficial to the country as an export destination and in creating many jobs. He further highlighted the trade partnership that has existed mentioning that the EU is the major consumer of many Kenyan products, especially flowers at 70%.

The President of Kenya further expressed his commitment to ensuring an enabling business environment by making regulatory authorities less arbitrary and friendlier, the police service independent, and strengthening the judiciary to expedite cases ensuring no business losses. He fronted Kenya as a compelling business destination mentioning that the near completion trifoliate agreement between the 3 trading blocs (EAC, COMESA and SADAC) presents even wider opportunities offering a 28 million people market. He then urged the EU to expedite the trade agreement between the EU and EAC.

The opening session culminated in a signing ceremony of different trade agreements including the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between KEPSA and Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) that was signed by the KEPSA CEO and Mr Egon Zorad, Director of Foreign Trade Department at SARIO. The agreement is meant to expand trade opportunities and investment partnerships between Kenya and Slovak Republic.

Other trade agreements included; the Business Environment and Export Enhancement Program (BEEEP) agreement which aims to facilitate trade and improve the investment climate; MoU signing between Proparco Investment and Solar Africa towards the development of new markets and implementation of environmental and social action plan; MoU signing between Proparco Investment and Harleys Limited aimed at supporting Harleys’ growth plan that will promote better access to pharmaceutical products and job creation; and a  loan agreement signing between European Investment Bank and Trade and Development Bank to boost new private sector investments.

More than 10 panel sessions were held including; Fostering EU KENYA Business Opportunities and Partnerships, Investing in Young Business in Africa, Business Opportunities in Circular Economy, Business Opportunities in Digitalisation, Business Opportunities in Agriculture, Business Opportunities in Waste Management, Business Opportunities in Agro-Processing, Business Opportunities in Health, ACP Business Friendly, and AfRIPI. Delegates also had opportunities to network through the Grow Your Business B2Bs / B2Gs session.

In a panel discussion on Fostering EU KENYA Business Opportunities and Partnerships Panel, Ms Kariuki urged the countries to learn from the Covid-19 pandemic which presented opportunities such as digitization. She further pointed circular economy as an opportunity area towards mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. She also highlighted the opportunities for youth participation specifically mentioning e-commerce, the Ajira digital program for digitally enabled jobs and the Sustainable Inclusive Business for innovations around climate and climate change.

The KEPSA CEO was joined by Ms Helena König, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Affairs; Mr Fanuel Kidenda, Ag. CEO/Executive Director at Kenya National Multi-Commodity Exchange (KOMEX); Mr Martin Eshiwani from the Ministry of Roads and Transport; and Ms Dora Correia, Director for Africa at the European Commission’s DG Trade, in a session that was moderated by Jas Bedi, KEPSA Vice Chairperson.