The forum brought together government representatives, business associations, private enterprises, overseas chamber representatives and professional service institutions, with more than 180 participants engaging in policy exchange, business experience sharing, B2B matchmaking and cooperation signing.
Dr. Rutto noted that Hunan is a strong industrial and commercial partner for Kenya, with the province GDP reaching approximately RMB 5.53 trillion in 2025. He emphasized that Hunan strengths in manufacturing, engineering, e-commerce, medical technology, renewable energy and industrial supply chains align closely with Kenya development priorities.

He positioned Kenya as a strategic gateway for Hunan enterprises entering East Africa and the wider African market. Kenya economy grew by 4.6% in 2025, with GDP estimated at approximately RMB 910 billion, supported by a strong private sector that drives investment, exports, employment and innovation.
Dr. Rutto further highlighted Kenya growing appeal as an investment destination, noting that foreign direct investment into Kenya surpassed USD 2 billion in 2025, reflecting rising investor confidence in the country reform agenda, regional market access and strategic sectors.

On trade, Dr. Rutto emphasized that Kenya–China cooperation must now move toward stronger export growth, value addition and industrial partnerships. With China granting 98.2% of Kenyan exports duty-free access, Kenya has a major opportunity to expand exports of tea, coffee, avocados, macadamia, hides and skins, textiles and processed foods. Kenya tea and coffee exports to China grew by 8.8% year-on-year in 2025, reaching USD 24.46 million.

The engagement also reflected KNCCI long-standing cooperation with Hunan under the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo framework, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council, the CCPIT Hunan Sub-Council, and other Hunan partners. Changsha also hosts KNCCI first overseas office, established in December 2023, which has supported more than 900 Kenyan business leaders in exploring trade, manufacturing, technology transfer and investment opportunities in Hunan.

The B2B session focused on practical opportunities in construction equipment, biomedical manufacturing, electric mobility, e-commerce, renewable energy, agriculture value addition, mining machinery, ICT and technical training.

Following the forum, Dr. Rutto led KNCCI engagements during a company visit and meeting at Hunan Shenyi Precision Parts Incorporated Company. The visit concluded with the signing of a Consulting Service Contract between Shenyi and the Hunan Representative Office of KNCCI, aimed at supporting Shenyi Kenya market entry through market information, enterprise matching, business linkages, Kenya visit arrangements and local resource connections.

Dr. Rutto also engaged representatives of Hunan International Trade Group on potential investment interests in Kenya, including land and real estate-related opportunities, subject to further policy guidance, due diligence and engagement with relevant Kenyan authorities.

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The delegation, drawn from Dongguan’s Guangdong Province, a manufacturing hub of over 10 million people and home to 220,000 industrial enterprises, explored cooperation in electronics, home goods, and building materials.

Both parties underscored the need to grow Kenyan exports into Dongguan’s market, with particular emphasis on leather goods, tea, and agricultural commodities, sectors where Kenya holds a clear competitive advantage under China’s zero-tariff framework for African goods effective May 2026.

Discussions also centred on technical cooperation, e-commerce platforms.

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The relationship between KNCCI and CCPIT Guangzhou is rooted in a history of institutional support. In November 2023, CCPIT Guangzhou made a significant gesture of collaboration by offering KNCCI a satellite office in Guangzhou, including two years of rent assistance. This office serves as a dedicated platform for showcasing Kenyan products to the Chinese market. Building on this foundation, the two chambers signed an additional MoU at State House in March 2026 to scale exports under China’s new zero-tariff policy for African nations.

Current trade between Kenya and the industrial powerhouse of Guangzhou stands at approximately Ksh 3 billion. Most notably, the trade volume has witnessed a significant growth of 20%, highlighting a robust appetite for cross-border commerce.

To capitalize on this momentum, discussions focused on three priority sectors:

• Agri-food: Enhancing the export of high-value Kenyan products including coffee, avocado, and tea.

• Healthcare and Industrial Goods: Creating partnerships for the supply and local assembly of medical equipment and plastics.

• Regional Hub Status: KNCCI emphasized Kenya’s strategic position as the leading business hub in East Africa, offering Chinese investors a gateway to the wider regional market.

During the meeting, the KNCCI President presented the KNCCI Industrial Park project, an ambitious manufacturing initiative. The project seeks investors to develop a centralized industrial park comprising 10 specialized factories. This initiative is designed to boost Kenya’s domestic manufacturing capacity, create thousands of jobs, and position the country as a regional center for industrialization.

In a major announcement for the Kenyan business community, the delegation revealed that a segment of the Canton Fair will be held in Nairobi. Traditionally held in phases in Guangzhou during April and May, the decision to bring this world-renowned trade exhibition to Kenya marks a historic shift in trade promotion. This move will allow Kenyan importers and exporters to engage directly with global suppliers and manufacturers without leaving the country.

The signing of the new MOU between CCPIT Guangzhou and KNCCI marks a “from intent to execution” milestone. By combining Kenya’s strategic regional location with Guangzhou’s industrial expertise, both organizations are set to unlock a new era of prosperity that transcends traditional trade and moves toward shared industrial growth.

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