Mr Jas Bedi – Vice-Chair of KEPSA and also the Chair of Kenya Export Promotion & Branding Agency (KEPROBA) together with Mr James Mureu – Chair of KEPSA Economic Diplomacy Sector Board delivered a presentation on ‘Marketing Kenya’s Exports’ during a forum organized by the Kenyan Government for the newly-appointed Kenyan Ambassadors. The forum was held at the Foreign Service Academy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 13^th July 2022.

The session delivered detailed perspectives on economic/trade-related briefs for the newly-appointed Ambassadors as per their respective countries of accreditation. Key among the highlights shared were overviews of Kenyan’s trade performance between January – December of 2020 – 2021. During this period, Kenya’s export performance was valued at Ksh. 738.6 billion. This was an absolute increase of Ksh. 97 billion and relative growth of 15.1% from Ksh. 641.6 billion performance recorded in 2020.

The Ambassadors were appraised that the 2021 export performance was driven by specific markets that were outstanding. Kenyan export grew more than Ksh. 2 billion in the following markets; Uganda – Ksh. 18.2 billion, Tanzania – Ksh. 13.2 billion, Netherlands – Ksh. 12.9 billion, DR Congo – Ksh. 10.2 billion, U.S.A – Ksh. 10.2 billion, China – Ksh. 7.1 billion, Rwanda – Ksh. 4.8 billion, Ethiopia – Ksh. 3.8 billion, Zambia – Ksh. 3.6 billion, India – Ksh. 2.7 billion, Russia – Ksh. 2.5 billion, Egypt – Ksh. 2.2 billion and Somalia – Ksh. 2.1 billion.

The export products in 2021 that were outstanding and increased in absolute values of over Ksh. 2 billion were horticulture – Ksh. 30.2 billion, textile and apparel accessories – Ksh. 9.7 billion, salt and cement – Ksh. 8.4 billion, machinery and mechanical appliances – Ksh. 6.5 billion, Ores Slags and ash – Ksh. 6.4 billion, coffee – Ksh. 4.4 billion, iron and steel – Ksh.4.4 billion, animal/vegetable fats and oils – Ksh. 3.6 billion, plastics – Ksh. 2.7 billion, soaps – Ksh. 2.7 billion, miscellaneous edible preparations – Ksh.2.7 billion, and electrical machinery and equipment – Ksh.2.4 billion.

The annual performance in 2021 was better compared to 2020. It was by and large indicative that Kenya’s export sector is resilient and can still compete globally and as such, the Ambassadors were encouraged in their economic diplomacy activities to seek on behalf of Kenya opportunities in the following areas amongst other areas: value addition in manufacturing and diversification products, enhance the competitiveness of Kenya products in the foreign markets as well as the building of regional value chains.

Both KEPSA and KEPROBA committed to offer trade and investment relevant assistance to the newly-appointed Ambassadors when called upon as well as cultivating a live working relationship to grow trade and investments.