UK–Kenya Trade Hits KES 350 Billion as First-Ever UK–Kenya Business Forum Accelerates a Modern Economic Partnership

The British High Commission Nairobi and the British Chamber of Commerce, Kenya (BCCK) have convened the first ever UK-Kenya Business Forum. It brought together senior Kenyan and British Government officials with more than 180 business leaders for a high-energy, solutions-focused day of discussion and innovation.

The Forum showcased a modern economic partnership in action. Business exhibitions, B2B matchmaking sessions, and expert-led panels on services, digital trade, green manufacturing, and SME growth – including women and youth‑led enterprises – showed how the Kenya-UK economic relationship has transformed in recent years.

This innovation is paying dividends – trade between Kenya and the UK broke the GBP 2 billion barrier (KES 340 billion) for the first time last year. The co-created Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership – renewed in July 2025 – aims to double trade between Kenya and the UK by 2030. The Forum aims to accelerate progress toward this goal.

At the same time, the event is a platform for honest and constructive dialogue on the reforms needed to unlock Kenya’s full economic potential. British and Kenyan businesses continue to face barriers – from high energy costs and regulatory unpredictability to corruption risks – which limit investment and slow job creation.

Dr Ed Barnett, Acting British High Commissioner to Kenya, said: “Kenya and the UK are running together in a modern partnership rooted in innovation. But to unlock full potential, we must clear hurdles – unpredictable costs, regulatory uncertainty, and corruption. The Business Forum is our chance to accelerate reforms, boost trade, and create jobs. We go further – and faster – when we go together.”

Sonal Tejpar, Chair of the British Chamber of Commer Kenya, said, said: “Kenya and the UK share strong trade and people to people links, and bilateral trade exceeding £2.1 billion underscores the deepening UK–Kenya partnership. As Chair of BCCK, I’ve witnessed this relationship grow, and with the right infrastructure and a more predictable, business friendly environment, we expect even greater growth. We remain committed to driving investment, empowering businesses, and supporting sustainable economic development.”

The Forum announced new three Kenya-UK partnerships to boost skills, innovation, and clean growth. Scottish college Forth Valley College and Kenya’s National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) signed an MoU to agree areas of collaboration in education. UK water treatment specialists Scotmas and Kenyan agricultural supplier Elgon Kenya will expand safer crop‑protection solutions across East Africa, and the UK launched the Climate Finance Accelerator Kenya to support low‑carbon projects seeking investment.

Kenya and the UK share an economic relationship that is modern, green, and innovative, with a variety of co-created projects that are delivering jobs and benefits for Kenyans, raising large amount of capital from the private sector.

For example, Manufacturing Africa – a programme that de-risks manufacturing investments – has supported 21 deals to financial close, raising over KES 103.5 billion (GBP 600m) in Foreign Direct Investment, and creating over 35,000 jobs.

In addition, the Sustainable Urban Economic Development Programme (SUED) has invested KES 1.3 billion (GBP 8 million) in seed capital to support agri-businesses to invest in Kenyan towns, creating over 14,000 jobs and attracting a further KES 7.9 billion (GBP 46 million) in private investment.

Activities delivered through Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSDA) support innovative businesses in accessing capital and growing. For example, the BimaLab Insurtech Accelerator has reached 25 countries, and supported over 100 start-ups, who have reached 6 million customers, and mobilised KES 3.8 billion (USD 30 million). Kenyans are benefitting from this through better insurance for farmers, boda-boda riders, and healthcare providers.

Overall, trade is worth more than KES 350 billion (GBP 2.1 billion), supported by more than 150 British companies employing over 250,000 Kenyans. The two countries are also bound by the UK–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, guaranteeing Kenyan exporters duty‑free access to the UK market.

Read Also: British International Investment Commits $40 Million as ACE Fund Secures $690 Million First Close, Targeting Climate Impact Across Emerging Markets