A review committee convened to evaluate the outcomes of the Kenya–Zambia trade mission held in February 2024 and the Zambia–Kenya return mission in March 2025 spearheaded by Ag CEO KNCCI KK Mutai has commended the initiatives for their positive impact on Kenyan SMEs.

The missions targeted strategic sectors including tea, coffee, fast-moving consumer goods, beverages, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology services. Based on initial findings, the committee described the missions as a success.

In total, 18 Kenyan companies participated across both missions, leading to:

  • Four agreements signed, including two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between KNCCI and both the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) and the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Orders worth Kshs. 34 million secured for Kenyan businesses.

The evaluation further revealed that Kenya’s services sector continues to dominate in Africa, with innovation in financial services giving local fintech firms a competitive edge. However, the slow adoption of fintech solutions in some African markets remains a challenge to scaling further.

Despite the rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Kenyan companies still face hurdles when expanding beyond the East African Community. These include non-tariff barriers such as border delays, restrictive licensing processes, and regulatory barriers related to ownership requirements.

Looking ahead, the committee recommended that Kenya should continue to leverage its strengths in the services sector while KNCCI intensifies policy advocacy with relevant ministries to ease cargo movement and expand access to new markets.

As part of its mandate, KNCCI reaffirmed its commitment to providing market intelligence and research support to members to enable them to tap into emerging opportunities across Africa.