The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) actively participated in the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) Workshop – Kenya Chapter, an event convened to strengthen Africa’s intra-trade competitiveness and promote the use of digital platforms for seamless cross-border trade.

The Chamber President, Dr. Erick Rutto, was represented by Ms. Fatma Bashir, KNCCI Head of Trade Department, who delivered remarks on Kenya’s trade outlook, challenges faced by businesses, and the opportunities presented by ATG in unlocking Africa’s trade potential.

KNCCI started by highlighting the low intra-African trade which currently accounts for just 15% of Africa’s total trade, a stark contrast to 60% in Europe and 40% in North America. The chamber underlined the urgent need for platforms like ATG to improve trade efficiency and connectivity across the continent.

In 2024, Ms Fatma explained Kenya’s exports were valued at approximately KES 1 while imports, stood at KES 2.3 trillion resulting in a trade deficit of nearly USD 9 billion and demonstrating the need to expand into new African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She further emphasized that Kenyan and African businesses continue to face significant barriers to trade which ATG can help alleviate, including:

  • Unverified trade partners – SMEs often fall victim to fraud due to the lack of credible verification systems. A 2018 study estimated over USD 800 million lost annually in trade misinvoicing.
  • Unreliable logistics – Transport costs in Africa are 30–40% higher than global averages. In some landlocked countries like Burundi, Chad, and the Central African Republic, logistics costs can consume up to 75% of export value.
  • Currency volatility – Regional trade is mostly settled in US dollars, increasing transaction costs by 5–10% due to conversion fees and FX risks.
  • Fragmented digital systems – Customs and trade data duplication at borders, such as Malaba and Busia, causes delays and higher costs for traders.

KNCCI also amplified Kenya’s Role in Africa’s digital trade revolution with the country already a pioneer in digital innovation, with global recognition for platforms such as M-PESA, fintech solutions, and logistics technologies. With over 7,000 registered exporters and thousands of SMEs seeking growth opportunities under AfCFTA, the chamber underscored that Kenya is well-positioned to benefit from ATG.

KNCCI says it has been championing digital trade facilitation through: E-certificates of origin, Trade missions, and Market intelligence platforms.

The chamber urged Kenyan businesses to:

  • Register on the Africa Trade Gateway and leverage its integrated solutions.
  • Partner with credible African counterparts to expand into new markets.
  • Adopt PAPSS to mitigate currency volatility and reduce transaction costs.
  • Explore AfCFTA opportunities beyond traditional markets such as Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking on behalf of the Chamber President, Ms. Fatma Bashir emphasized:

“Kenya’s business community must seize the opportunity to harness ATG as a gateway to new markets, improved efficiency, and sustainable growth. This platform is not just about trade facilitation – it is about positioning Africa as a global trade powerhouse.”