In his address, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto called on the government to fulfill key commitments made earlier this year during the Chamber’s engagement with national leadership at State House. He urged action on critical issues such as clearing pending bills, granting SMEs better access to government tenders, improving access to affordable finance, lowering interest rates, and creating a conducive tax environment to drive enterprise growth.

Dr. Rutto further encouraged county chapters to play a stronger role in advocating for SME needs at the county level and to collaborate closely with the headquarters on national policy matters. He highlighted several initiatives championed by the Chamber to address business challenges, including:

• Partnerships with financial institutions to improve access to credit.

• Collaboration with the Africa Guarantee Fund to enable SMEs secure financing without collateral.

• Joint programs with the International Labour Organization to combat unemployment through skills development.

• Launch of the Chamber Business Academy to build members’ capacity through continuous training.

• Establishment of the National Chamber of Commerce Sacco to expand financing opportunities for members.

Responding to the Chamber’s concerns, CS Lee Kinyanjui reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting businesses. He noted that the Central Bank of Kenya has already engaged financial institutions to lower lending rates, leading to increased uptake of credit. He also announced the removal of taxes on various packaging materials to boost value addition and enhance competitiveness of key exports such as tea and coffee.

The CS underscored manufacturing as a priority growth driver for Kenya’s economy, calling on the private sector to capitalize on opportunities within export processing zones and county aggregation centers, which he observed have been underutilized by local investors. On innovation, he encouraged businesses to position themselves in emerging industries such as electric mobility to gain early advantage in new markets.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Adji highlighted the strong potential for economic cooperation between Kenya and Indonesia, citing shared characteristics such as youthful populations and strategic positioning along the Indian Ocean. He noted that Indonesia brings a robust industrial base while Kenya contributes dynamism and innovation. The Ambassador identified skills exchange as an immediate area of collaboration, offering opportunities for Kenyan students in Indonesian institutions. He further emphasized the importance of partnerships in geothermal development, mining, and aquaculture, and called on KNCCI to facilitate stronger linkages between businesses from both countries.

With the NGC meeting successfully concluded, focus now turns to the upcoming KNCCI Annual General Meeting scheduled later this year.

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The delegation was received by Ms. Cynthia Nyawira, KNCCI National Director for Economic Diplomacy, together with members of the Secretariat.

Discussions centered on strengthening economic partnerships and leveraging synergies between Kenyan and Malaysian businesses to drive industrial transformation and enhance global competitiveness. KNCCI encouraged the investors to seize opportunities available in Kenya—including palm oil, rubber, furniture, and other sectors—while positioning Kenya as a strategic launchpad to access regional markets.

Both sides also explored the formation of a Joint Business Council (KNCCI–Malaysian Chamber) as a private sector dialogue platform, with its possible launch during the upcoming Kenya–Malaysia Business Forum.

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The President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Dr. Erick Rutto, today received H.E. Abderazaak Laassel, the Ambassador of Morocco to Kenya, who paid a courtesy call at the KNCCI headquarters.

Discussions focused on strategies to boost trade between Kenya and Morocco, which currently stands at approximately USD 40 million, and on tapping opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Key issues raised included the establishment of a direct shipping line between Rabat and Mombasa, as well as the introduction of direct flights to ease connectivity. Dr. Rutto noted that the absence of such direct links has hindered trade, with Moroccan buyers often sourcing Kenyan flowers through Europe, while tea is imported from China and coffee from Colombia, despite Kenya being a prime producer.

The two leaders also explored opportunities for Morocco to supply fertilizers to Kenya, a critical input for the agricultural sector. To further enhance collaboration, both sides agreed that KNCCI and the Rabat Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the upcoming visit of the Rabat Chamber President to Kenya later this year.

In addition, it was highlighted that Kenya and Morocco are finalizing agreements on double taxation avoidance and a MoU on investment promotion, which will provide a stronger framework for bilateral economic cooperation.

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The event brought together a vibrant mix of business leaders, policy influencers, and stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting the business community in Murang’a County, the larger Mt. Kenya region and the country as a whole.

The Chamber President Dr. Erick Rutto graced the event as the Chief Guest, while the Commercial Consellor High Commission of Pakistan to Kenya, Ms. Adeela Younis, joined as a distinguished guest. Their presence underscored the chamber’s significance in linking local business discussions with both national advocacy and international trade opportunities.

Also in attendance were two KNCCI National Directors—Cynthia Nyawira (Nairobi) and Hussein Jama (Upper Eastern), Company Secretary Kihara Njuguna—alongside Chapter Chairs from Kirinyaga, Tana River, Nyeri, Embu, Turkana, Samburu, Nandi, and Nyandarua. The Murang’a business community turned out in impressive numbers, demonstrating the growing appetite for dialogue and solutions to the challenges they face.

Issues Raised by the Business Community

The forum provided a platform for candid discussions on persistent challenges affecting enterprises in the county. Key concerns included:

• Pending bills owed to businesses, especially SMEs.
• Multiple county licenses required to operate.
• Over-taxation and its impact on sustainability.
• Harassment by local authorities, which continues to discourage business growth.

In his remarks, Dr. Rutto reaffirmed KNCCI’s commitment to championing a more enabling business environment. He highlighted ongoing engagements with the government to clear Kshs. 150 billion in pending bills, most of which are owed to SMEs, noting that their clearance is crucial to reviving cash flow in the private sector.

He further called for the harmonization of county permits through a unified business license model, citing the example of a meat processing plant that currently requires 18 separate licenses from both national and county governments—a burden he termed unsustainable.

Additionally, Dr. Rutto outlined KNCCI’s efforts to enhance access to affordable credit through guarantee agreements that make financing more accessible to businesses, particularly SMEs.

Addressing the gathering, H.E. Adeela Younis encouraged Kenyan businesses to pursue partnerships with their Pakistani counterparts. She underscored the strong trade relations between the two countries, noting that Pakistan is the largest importer of Kenyan tea, while Kenya continues to source a wide range of products from Pakistan. She emphasized that Pakistani businesses are keen and ready to collaborate with Kenyan enterprises across various sectors.

The CEO Business Program reaffirmed KNCCI’s role as the voice of business, committed to addressing policy bottlenecks while unlocking opportunities for local enterprises. The event also showcased the importance of forging regional and international linkages to enhance market access and long-term business sustainability.

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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.

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The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties between Kenya and Indonesia, with special emphasis on key growth sectors including geothermal development, mining, and aquaculture. Both parties underscored the importance of deepening collaboration between the private sector and government to unlock opportunities for business communities in the two countries.

A major highlight of the meeting was the announcement of the upcoming Indonesian Trade Mission to Nairobi, scheduled to take place from 5th – 9th November 2025. The mission is expected to bring together Indonesian businesses and Kenyan counterparts for trade matchmaking, investment dialogues, and knowledge exchange.

In addition, the leaders explored the possibility of an outgoing KNCCI trade mission to Jakarta before the end of the year, aimed at further cementing partnerships and opening new avenues for market access and cooperation.

This engagement reflects KNCCI’s continued role in driving international partnerships that enhance market opportunities for Kenyan enterprises while promoting bilateral growth.

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The delegation was led by the Director General for External Trade, Mr. Stephen Matatia, and was received by the KNCCI Secretariat under the leadership of Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. KK Mutai.

During the discussions, the South Sudanese officials sought to gain insights into KNCCI’s operations, particularly its successes, challenges, and best practices that could be adapted to strengthen the capacity of their sister chamber in South Sudan. The engagement also focused on how both countries can enhance knowledge sharing, foster closer collaboration, and boost bilateral trade relations.

The delegation also included senior officials from the Ministry’s Domestic Trade, Private Sector Development, and Planning, Research & Statistics departments, reflecting South Sudan’s commitment to building stronger institutional frameworks for trade and investment.

KNCCI reiterated its commitment to working closely with the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce and relevant stakeholders to promote regional integration, private sector growth, and mutually beneficial trade partnerships.

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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.”

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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) today reaffirmed its commitment to advancing responsible business practices during the Private Sector Review of Kenya’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights, held at the Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi.

The meeting, convened in partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), brought together stakeholders from government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to evaluate progress on the implementation of the NAP, identify gaps, and chart a way forward.

Speaking during the event, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized the significance of the NAP in safeguarding rights while strengthening competitiveness and market access for Kenyan businesses:

“The adoption of the NAP was a milestone, but the real test lies in its implementation. For Kenya’s private sector, this is not just about compliance—it is about competitiveness, reputation, and the future of our enterprises in global markets. KNCCI is committed to ensuring that businesses, especially MSMEs, are empowered to thrive responsibly, sustainably, and competitively.”

Kenya remains one of only two African countries to have developed a NAP on Business and Human Rights. The plan, adopted by Parliament in 2022, provides a framework for the State to protect individuals and communities from business-related human rights abuses, while guiding companies to respect human rights in their operations. It also promotes human rights due diligence and strengthens access to remedies for victims of harm.

KNCCI has played a central role in advancing the NAP’s implementation. The Chamber:

• Sits on the NAP Implementation Committee, representing enterprises nationwide.
• Has partnered with DIHR to conduct sensitization forums across more than 10 counties, engaging hundreds of SMEs.
• Introduced enterprises to the “Protect, Respect, and Remedy Framework” while building awareness of the links between responsible business practices, sustainability, and competitiveness.

Through these efforts, KNCCI has positioned itself as a leading advocate for integrating human rights into business conduct, while ensuring that policies remain practical and business-friendly.

“With growing due diligence and sustainability requirements in markets such as the European Union, responsible business conduct is no longer optional—it is a license to compete. By embedding human rights into our operations, we not only strengthen investor confidence but also secure Kenya’s place in global value chains,” Dr Erick Rutto adds.

However, challenges remain. Many SMEs have limited awareness of human rights due diligence requirements, access to remedies is constrained by costs and procedural barriers, and government implementation processes face delays.

Dr. Rutto outlined KNCCI’s priorities for the next phase of implementation:

• Deepening capacity-building for SMEs to meet both EU due diligence requirements and domestic NAP obligations.
• Strengthening KNCCI’s advocacy role to ensure enabling government policies.
• Supporting businesses to embed human rights due diligence in daily operations.
• Expanding partnerships with international stakeholders to align Kenyan enterprises with global best practices.

KNCCI Chief Executive Officer, in his welcoming remarks, underscored the private sector’s central role in shaping Kenya’s future competitiveness:

“Responsible business conduct is now a global competitiveness issue. As we prepare to seize AfCFTA opportunities and meet the requirements of export markets such as the EU, aligning with the NAP will not only strengthen Kenya’s domestic landscape but also enhance our credibility and access in regional and global value chains.”

The meeting marked an important step in ensuring that Kenya’s private sector not only complies with global human rights standards but also leverages them to build resilience, attract investment, and secure new market opportunities.

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Dr. Eric Rutto, President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), attended a dinner reception hosted at the German Embassy Residence in Nairobi on the occasion of the visit of a high-level Business and State Government Delegation from the German State of Bavaria. The event was hosted by Mr. Alexander Fierley, Chargé d’Affaires of the Federal Republic of Germany, together with Dr. Markus Wittmann, Director General at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, who also led the delegation.

The Bavarian delegation, visiting Kenya from 14th to 21st September 2025, comprised more than 30 companies, research institutions, and innovation actors with expertise in ICT, software development, AI, FinTech, InsurTech, biotech, sustainability, and digital health. Their mission was to explore strategic partnerships with Kenyan businesses, research institutions, and start-ups, with a view to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and unlocking opportunities in key growth sectors.

Dr. Rutto’s participation underscored KNCCI’s role in building international linkages and fostering trade and investment relations. The dinner created opportunities for KNCCI to engage German business and government leaders, highlighting Kenya’s position as a regional economic hub and opening avenues for collaboration in areas such as the digital economy, agritech, manufacturing, and circular economy initiatives.

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