Kenya-UK partnership aims to cut red tape on export trade

• Kenya and the UK are equipping officials with policy tools aimed at improving regulatory environment to attract investment and growth.
• UK businesses have cited challenging operating environment as the main barrier to business operations in Kenya, along with power outages and high electricity costs.
• Increased efficiencies in this space would also be boost intra-African trade though increased compliance with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

A new push, Kenya-UK partnership, is paving the way for a stronger export trade framework through a specialized workshop aimed at equipping Kenyan officials with the skills to refine business regulations. As East Africa’s largest economy, Kenya stands to benefit from streamlined policies that enhance trade efficiency, attract investment, and create a more business-friendly environment.

This initiative underscores a shared commitment between the two nations to bolster economic growth by fostering regulatory reforms that support thriving enterprises. The three-day event, held in Nairobi, aims to address the challenges faced by business while operating in Kenya and targets both homegrown and those looking to establish themselves in the country.

It will also provide Kenyan officials with the tools to better regulate the way businesses can operate in Kenya, by learning how these are applied and implemented in the UK. Increased efficiencies in this space would also be boost intra-African trade though increased compliance with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking during the on the first day of the workshop, Richlove Mensah, Director, Trade and Investment, Kenya and Regional Director, East Africa, noted that, “Whilst no business environment will ever be perfect, Kenya must seize its economic potential and introduce rapid reforms to regulation that will unlock jobs and economic growth – ultimately putting mores shillings in the pockets of the people.

Dr Walter Ongeti, Chief Executive Officer at KENAS added, “We want to capitalize on a bumper year of trade, through this excellent and timely UK-Kenya partnership. The UK is listening to the challenges, and we are applying our regulatory excellence to help deliver the solutions as a long-term partner for Kenya – we go far when we go together.”

Kenya-UK partnership to enhance compliance

At the same time, Esther Nagari, Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) observed that “accreditation plays a vital role in ensuring regulatory reliability, fostering trust by guaranteeing competence, impartiality, and compliance with international standards.

She added that KEBS is committed to advancing Good Regulatory Practices (GRP) that drive economic growth, facilitate trade, and safeguard consumer interests. “A transparent, predictable, and evidence-based regulatory framework is essential for fostering investment and enhancing industry competitiveness. By integrating key tools such as Regulatory Impact Assessments, post-implementation reviews, and stakeholder engagement, we can create a more efficient and business-friendly regulatory environment,” she explained.

UKAS’s International Director, Rob Bettinson, said: “I am delighted to be in Nairobi, representing UKAS in this UK-Kenya workshop to support improvements in regulatory practice. The global recognition of accredited conformity assessment enables a test or certification to be used in multiple markets, reducing costly trade barriers for businesses. By working together to share global good practice on effective quality infrastructures of standards and accreditation, and proportionate and sound regulation, we can promote trade and economic growth in both our countries.”

Daniel Mansfield, Head of Policy Engagement at BSI (British Standards Institute) said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this event and to share our expertise around international standards and their role in policymaking. Raising awareness and understanding of the value that comes from the use of standards and quality infrastructure to inform policy can bring huge benefits, including helping to enhance business environments, boost trade and accelerate economic growth.

“We look forward to continuing collaborating, alongside our Standards Partnership and Commonwealth Standards Network programmes, which both have the potential to accelerate progress and unlock future opportunities to benefit consumers, organizations and governments around the world.”

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Challenging operating environment in Kenya

British businesses have reported that the challenging operating environment is the main barrier to business operations in Kenya, along with power outages and high electricity costs. The challenges cited include onerous import procedures, a complex tax regime, and local ownership requirements in some service sectors including the insurance sector.

According to the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), Kenyan businesses also face challenges. These include a complex regulatory landscape that frequently changes, meaning businesses may struggle to stay up to date with evolving requirements to stay compliant, whilst at the same time achieving accreditation can be hard, as regular training, assessments, and upskilling are necessary to meet evolving accreditation requirements.

The workshop is another example of the UK being a long-term partner for long-term economic growth, and supports support business environment reforms as set out in the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement. The agreement ensures that all companies operating in Kenya, including British businesses, can continue to benefit from duty-free access to the UK market.