The bilateral relationship between Turkey and Kenya has deepened since Kenya gained independence in 1963, the Turkish Embassy in Nairobi was opened in 1968. To further strengthen ties between the two  nations, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) collaborated with the Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye  and the Turkiye Exporters Assembly (TiM) to host a delegation of Turkish exporters from various sectors and industries .

The primary objective of this event is to introduce high-quality Turkish brands to potential distributors, retailers, and businesses in Kenya. During the forum, Turkiye’s Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Subutay Yüksel encouraged the Turkish trade delegation to invest in Kenya, reaffirming the Embassy’s commitment to enhancing trade between the two countries.

The Chamber President Dr. Erick Rutto in his remarks highlighted KNCCI’s efforts to boost trade through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Turkish Business Council (DEiK), primarily aimed at sharing market intelligence.

Additionally, KNCCI hosts the Kenya-Turkiye Joint Business Council, consisting of members from various sectors, including energy, academia, finance, tourism, healthcare, agriculture, and investment. This council plays a pivotal role in promoting exports and facilitating the exchange of goods and services.

Dr. Rutto encouraged the delegation to engage in business ventures with Kenya, citing the example of Dr. Mattress/Turea Limited, a chamber member supplying mattresses to major hotels across East Africa. KNCCI has previously organized several trade missions and encourages Kenyan business delegates to participate in missions to Turkey to learn from their tourism sector and technological systems, which can enhance business ties.

Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion in the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, assured the Turkish delegation that Kenya is open, ready, and a safe destination for businesses. He urged them to liaise with the Kenya Investment Authority for seamless business establishment.

Over the years, bilateral relations between Kenya and Turkiye have strengthened. Turkish Airlines initiated commercial flights to Kenya in 2009, including a direct route between Istanbul and Nairobi, with Mombasa as an additional point. In 2012, Kenya opened its Embassy in Ankara, facilitating several agreements and MoUs in areas such as security, trade, finance, technical cooperation, energy, and mining.

In conclusion, Mr. Abubakar encouraged the entire Turkish business delegation to invest in Kenya, emphasizing that Kenya ranks 3rd in Sub-Saharan Africa for ease of doing business.”

The ongoing business to business meetings will create an opportunity for members to explore potential business collaborations in Turkiye.