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.

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The program equipped trainers with practical knowledge and skills in key areas of today’s business environment, enabling them to transfer these competencies to women and youth entrepreneurs across Kenya.

“This project demonstrates the power of collaboration in transforming our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Dr. Erick Rutto, KNCCI President. “By investing in trainers, we are investing in the future of women and youth who are essential to Kenya’s economic resilience and growth.”

The sessions, held throughout October 2025, covered: Digital Marketing, E-commerce, International Partner Search and Export Planning.

The Training for Trainers program was aimed to strengthen the capacity of professionals who will mentor and empower women and youth-led enterprises. The sessions focused on enhancing competitiveness, improving
market access, and promoting sustainable enterprise growth through practical skills in digital marketing, e-commerce, partner search, and export planning.

The project highlighted the importance of international partnerships in supporting local enterprise development.
By training trainers first, the project ensured a multiplier effect—knowledge and skills gained will be cascaded to
hundreds of women and youth entrepreneurs across counties in Kenya.

“This initiative strengthens our mission of bridging skills gaps and creating inclusive opportunities for all,” noted Mr. KK Mutai, KNCCI Chief Executive Officer. “The impact will be felt across communities as more women and young entrepreneurs embrace digital tools, global markets, and competitive business practices.”

This initiative reaffirms KNCCI’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth by equipping underrepresented groups
with tools to thrive in a modern, digital-driven economy.

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The event brought together stakeholders from government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to strengthen collaboration in supporting women-led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs). The SHE GROWS Programme, a strategic initiative, seeks to unlock the growth potential of women-owned businesses by addressing barriers such as limited access to finance, underdeveloped support systems, and gender-based biases.

In his keynote address, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized that when women grow, the nation flourishes. He highlighted KNCCI’s ongoing efforts through the Women in Business (WIB) Committee, established in 2016, to empower, connect, and champion women entrepreneurs across all 47 counties.

“Our vision is simple has the tools, networks, and opportunities to grow her business and transform her community,” Dr. Rutto said. “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”

Dr. Rutto outlined findings from the KNCCI 2025 Business Barometer, noting that women own 40% of Kenyan businesses but continue to face challenges such as limited access to capital, gender bias, and low participation in public procurement despite policy provisions. He detailed KNCCI’s interventions through initiatives like the Chamber Business Academy, the Isoko Platform, and the AGPO Strengthening Project, all designed to boost women’s competitiveness and inclusion in trade and investment.

KNCCI Advisor on Women in Business, Ms. Nancy Muthoni, also participated actively in the programme — both in the opening session and as a panelist in the discussion on Strengthening the Women-Led SME Ecosystem. She emphasized the importance of building supportive networks and ensuring that women entrepreneurs are integrated into regional and global supply chains.

The event featured sessions on finance, investment readiness, and market access, with partners such as the     and the EU Delegation sharing insights and partnership opportunities.

The roundtable concluded with a commitment ceremony co-led by Dr. Erick Rutto and IFC’s Marieme Niang, where stakeholders pledged to support the implementation of the SHE GROWS programme.

KNCCI pledged its commitment to championing inclusive growth, advocating for gender-responsive policies, and fostering partnerships that ensure women-owned businesses are not just participants but drivers of Kenya’s economic transformation.

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