The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) today hosted a high-level delegation from the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI France) led by President Alain Di Crescenzo, Director General Nicolas Bonnet, and Executive Director of the French Chamber of Commerce Kenya, Domitile Guilloton, in a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and business collaboration between Kenya and France.

The meeting, hosted by KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto, focused on unlocking new opportunities for businesses from both countries, enhancing market access, promoting investment partnerships, and strengthening enterprise capacity building through institutional collaboration.

According to recent trade data, bilateral trade between Kenya and France continues to grow steadily, with total trade volumes estimated at over KSh 30 billion annually. France remains one of Kenya’s key trading partners within the European Union, with Kenyan exports to France largely comprising tea, coffee, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and horticultural products, while France exports machinery, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, and technology solutions to Kenya.

Speaking during the meeting, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized the need for stronger private sector collaboration to unlock trade potential between the two countries.

“KNCCI is keen on expanding opportunities for Kenyan businesses through enhanced market access, investment linkages, and strategic capacity building. We see immense value in collaborating with CCI France in areas such as market intelligence, business advisory services, policy support, joint trade missions, and enterprise development initiatives that can help businesses scale regionally and globally,” said Dr. Rutto.

Dr. Rutto further noted that Kenya continues to position itself as a strategic gateway to Africa, offering investors access to regional markets through the East African Community (EAC), COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On his part, CCI France President Alain Di Crescenzo highlighted Kenya’s strategic importance as a business and innovation hub for French investors seeking opportunities in Africa.

“France possesses strong expertise in energy, education, manufacturing, and industrial innovation, all of which present significant opportunities for collaboration with Kenyan businesses. Kenya offers an excellent base for investment into Africa and global markets, while France provides a premium market for high-quality Kenyan products including coffee, tea, and horticulture products, especially where value addition is incorporated,” said Alain Di Crescenzo.

The discussions also explored future collaboration in business education and enterprise capacity development through the Chamber Business Academy in partnership with CCI France.

CCI France is internationally recognized for its extensive business education and training ecosystem, which supports thousands of enterprises annually across Europe and Africa. Through its training institutions and enterprise support programs, CCI France provides customized on-site training for teams and individuals in management, marketing, sales, human resources, entrepreneurship support, and sector-specific capacity building. The network trains and supports more than 500,000 learners, entrepreneurs, and business professionals annually through executive education, vocational programs, leadership development, and enterprise acceleration initiatives.

The two chambers agreed to formalize their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will provide a framework for joint programs in trade facilitation, investment promotion, enterprise support, and capacity development.

Also present during the meeting were KNCCI National Director for Economic Diplomacy Cynthia Kamau, National Director for Partnerships Lucy Muchoki, and members of KNCCI senior management.

The CCI France delegation is currently in Kenya to participate in the Africa Forward Summit taking place in Nairobi, co-hosted by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya, and H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.

The summit aims to showcase Africa’s innovation capacity while reaffirming a shared commitment between Africa and France to develop mutually beneficial partnerships grounded in effective multilateralism, sustainable investment, and transformative economic cooperation.