The delegation was received by KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto alongside Richard Ndung’u, Chairperson of the KNCCI Kenya–China (Asia) Committee. The meeting focused on identifying practical opportunities to increase Kenyan exports to the Chinese market while deepening commercial partnerships between businesses from the two countries.

A key area of discussion was the immense potential for expanding exports of Kenyan agricultural products to China. The two sides explored opportunities to increase market access for premium Kenyan commodities including tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, avocados, and other high-value agricultural produce, leveraging China’s growing consumer market and demand for quality food products.

The meeting also highlighted opportunities in Kenya’s mining sector, with particular interest expressed in the country’s manganese resources. Discussions centred on fostering partnerships that would promote responsible investment, value addition, and sustainable development within the mining industry.

Speaking during the meeting, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to facilitating international trade by connecting Kenyan businesses with global markets and creating strategic partnerships that unlock new opportunities for local enterprises.

“China remains one of Kenya’s most important trading partners. KNCCI is committed to supporting initiatives that increase Kenyan exports, diversify our export basket, and create sustainable market linkages for our businesses. By strengthening partnerships with Chinese investors and buyers, we can unlock greater opportunities for our farmers, manufacturers, and mining sector players while contributing to Kenya’s economic growth.”

Richard Ndung’u, Chairperson of the KNCCI Kenya–China (Asia) Committee, emphasized the Committee’s role in facilitating business-to-business engagements and promoting mutually beneficial trade relations between the two countries. He noted that sustained dialogue and collaboration would help address market access challenges while opening new avenues for investment and technology transfer.

The Chinese delegation was led by Zhang Jie, Team Leader from the Hehehui Cultural Exchange Center, and comprised senior executives from leading Chinese companies representing manufacturing, food technology, industrial development, technology, education, and investment sectors.

The delegation included:

• Ji Rongzhong, Chairman, Beijing Wumu Garment Co., Ltd.
• Lin Zhikuan, General Manager, Zhangzhou Zhongmiao Food Technology Co., Ltd.
• Yang Herong, Chairman, Zhongzhe Holding Group Co., Ltd.
• Yang Mingwei, Chairman, Anhui Houcheng Technology Co., Ltd.
• Cizhongcaiyuan, Chairman, Tibet Cidelin Industrial Development Co., Ltd.
• Zhang Xiumei, Deputy General Manager, Tibet Cidelin Industrial Development Co., Ltd.
• Yang Yuliang, Chairman, Zunyi Jianguo Senior High School Co., Ltd.

The engagement forms part of KNCCI’s broader strategy to strengthen economic diplomacy and promote Kenya as a preferred trade and investment destination. Through such strategic engagements, the Chamber continues to create platforms that connect Kenyan businesses with international markets, facilitate investment partnerships, and enhance bilateral trade between Kenya and China.

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In a landmark achievement for the Kenyan agricultural sector, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has successfully partnered with government ministries and private exporters to flag off the first shipment of green coffee beans bound for Italy.

The initial consignment of 20 containers was exported by SumSeron Coffee, a proud KNCCI corporate member. The historic dispatch to the Port of Trieste is the culmination of rigorous, multi-lateral lobbying and trade advocacy between the Kenyan Government, KNCCI, and the Italian Government. The beans were safely processed and dispatched from the state-of-the-art facilities of Mitchell Cotts Kenya Ltd, represented by their management team.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto celebrated the breakthrough as a direct victory for collaborative trade diplomacy:

“This milestone is incredibly fulfilling. Opening up the Italian market, the third-largest consumer of coffee in Europe with a market value of KES 500 Billion, proves that when public and private entities align, we unlock historic value. In this first shipment alone, premium Kenyan coffee is fetching upwards of USD 9.50 per kilogram.”

This entry into the Italian market serves as a strategic gateway into the wider European Union market, currently valued at over KES 6 Trillion. Dr. Rutto highlighted that securing these premium, high-value avenues will catalyze Kenya’s national production goals, accelerating the target of reaching 150,000 Metric Tons (MT) by 2029 from the current output of 50,000 MT.

He further noted that KNCCI is actively targeting additional markets across Central and Eastern Europe to diversify export portfolios and buffer local farmers against regional price volatility.

To ensure Kenyan exporters can maintain consistent, long-term access to highly regulated markets like the EU, KNCCI is driving key structural reforms at the grassroots level:

• Capacity Building: KNCCI has successfully trained 200 local cooperatives on Business Human Rights, focusing strictly on fair compensation, market compliance, and building premium brand equity.

• Risk Mitigation: The Chamber has published a comprehensive Sector-Wide Impact Assessment (SWIA) focused entirely on the coffee value chain. This assessment outlines actionable steps to mitigate labor, environmental, and human rights risks, directly aligning local farming processes with global supply chain standards.

The flagging-off event was highly attended by senior government representatives, signaling strong state support for the expansion of agricultural trade.

Patrick Kiburi Kilemi, CBS, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Cooperatives, stated that the ongoing expansion into new territories is a direct outcome of structured state investments:

“Beyond policy frameworks, the government is continuously working to clear historical coffee debts owed to farmers. This will relieve financial pressure at the grassroots level and encourage fresh, robust investments back into the sector.”

Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Trade, attributed the trade breakthrough to aggressive, targeted marketing and high-level showcasing of Kenyan products abroad. She noted that this Italian export comes just months after a dedicated trade mission to Italy.

“We are highly determined to expand market access. We’ve already witnessed successful bilateral exchanges with countries like South Korea, and we are incredibly optimistic that the Kazakhstan market will open up for our exporters very soon.”

Also present at the high-profile ceremony was a distinguished delegation of stakeholders spanning the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, and key regulatory bodies. The event also saw active participation from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Coffee Directorate, and Hon. Brighton Yegon (Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock). Critical financial and development backing was represented by teams from Stanbic Bank, Co-operative Bank, and Absa Bank, alongside key grassroots and institutional allies including Elizabeth Mbithi (MCDU), Martin Malila (Machakos Cooperative Union), Lewis Momanyi (Strathmore Business School’s Institute of Small Business Initiatives), Ms. Isabella Tenai (E4Impact East Africa), and Mr. Mario Brataj (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – AICS).

This successful export is a shining example of KNCCI’s active commitment to championing its members’ growth, securing competitive global prices, and positioning Kenyan products at the forefront of the international market.

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The Changsha delegation was led by Mr. Li Weiqun, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Changsha Municipal People’s Congress, and Mr. Yang Zhiren, Deputy Director of the Changsha Municipal Bureau of Commerce.

A key outcome of the meeting was the positioning of Changsha as a strategic entry point for Kenyan goods into China. The delegation made clear that goods entering through Changsha have the advantage of national distribution across China — a proposition that significantly enhances the commercial case for Kenyan exporters looking to scale their presence in the Chinese market.

The discussions identified several sectors of shared interest:

• Kenyan Agricultural Exports — Tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, flowers, avocados, and the emerging category of sausages were presented as Kenya’s primary export offer to the Chinese market.
• Chinese Manufacturing Strengths — Changsha’s industrial capabilities in heavy machinery, biomedical devices, and new energy were highlighted as areas of direct relevance to Kenya’s development agenda.
• Chinese Investment in Africa — The delegation noted that Chinese enterprises are actively seeking investment opportunities across Africa, and called on KNCCI to play a facilitation and orientation role for incoming investors.

Dr. Rutto drew attention to a stark but telling statistic: Kenya imports approximately KES 7.8 billion worth of goods from China annually, while exports to China stand at only KES 230 million — a significant trade imbalance that both sides acknowledged as an urgent opportunity to address. Growing Kenya’s export volumes to China is not only a commercial priority but a national economic imperative.

To build on the momentum of this engagement, a visit by a Kenyan delegation to Changsha’s biomedical companies has been proposed, with a view to exploring concrete investment and trade linkages in that sector.

KNCCI also committed to supporting the facilitation of Chinese investors eyeing opportunities in Kenya, further cementing the Chamber’s role as the bridge between Kenya’s business community and global markets.

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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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Speaking at the Global Launch Event held on 10th April 2026 at Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi he conveyed greetings from KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto.

Mr Ndungu highlighted Kenya’s rich investment opportunities spanning tea, coffee, horticulture, dairy, aquaculture, and agri-tech. He emphasized Kenya’s deliberate shift from raw commodity exports toward value-added products an evolution that creates immediate openings for Chinese enterprises with expertise in processing technology and investment financing.

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Key details of the MoU
· It focuses on deepening trade and investment ties between Kenya and China
· Supports business-to-business linkages between Kenyan and Chinese enterprises
· Enhances market access for Kenyan exports, especially under China’s new zero-tariff policy for African countries
· Promotes cooperation in priority sectors such as:Agriculture (e.g. coffee, avocados) Manufacturing, Energy & mining, Trade and
· Facilitates trade promotion, exhibitions, and matchmaking platforms between the two countries
Strategic significance
· The MoU is part of broader efforts to reduce Kenya’s trade deficit with China and scale exports
· It aligns with ongoing initiatives to position Kenya as a gateway to East and Central Africa for Chinese investors
· It strengthens KNCCI’s role as a bridge between Kenyan businesses and international markets

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Ambassador Sadykov underscored Kenya’s global leadership in tea production, highlighting the premium quality of Kenyan tea, and identified Kazakhstan as a strategic market for both Kenyan tea and coffee exports.

During the meeting, the Ambassador proposed the establishment of a Kenyan tea and coffee hub in Kazakhstan, noting key incentives, including the exemption of green coffee beans from import taxes.

He also highlighted the high-value nature of the Kazakhstan market, where a single cup of coffee retails at USD 5, signaling significant market potential.

Discussions further explored collaboration opportunities in the tourism sector.

In response, KNCCI committed to organizing a business roundtable to connect Kenyan exporters and investors with opportunities in Kazakhstan.

The roundtable will present market insights, outline available incentives and tax exemptions, and identify businesses with interest in establishing a tea and coffee hub.

Additionally, KNCCI will participate in a high-level trade mission to Kazakhstan in May 2026, focusing on the tea, coffee, and sectors.

The next steps include confirming the roundtable date, coordinating with the Kazakhstan Embassy on trade mission logistics, and developing sector-specific briefing materials for participating businesses.

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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) today successfully hosted the Kenya–Saudi Arabia Business Forum in Nairobi, bringing together business leaders, investors, and policymakers from both countries to explore new opportunities for trade and investment.

The forum provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration between the two nations, with over 28 companies from Saudi Arabia and more than 30 Kenyan enterprises participating in the Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions designed to foster meaningful partnerships across key sectors including agribusiness, energy, manufacturing, logistics, and financial services.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Chamber leadership, KNCCI National Director for North Eastern Hussein Jama, representing Vice President Mr. Mustafa Ramadhan, reaffirmed KNCCI’s commitment to deepening economic ties between the two countries. He noted that the Chamber, which represents over 50,000 businesses across Kenya, stands ready to facilitate credible partnerships, policy linkages, and regulatory support for Saudi investors exploring the Kenyan and East African markets.

“Kenya and Saudi Arabia share a vision for economic transformation through investment, innovation, and trade diversification,” he said. “Our bilateral trade currently stands at approximately USD 1.2 billion annually, but this forum marks the beginning of a stronger, broader collaboration that will unlock new opportunities for both nations.”

KNCCI National Director and Head of Economic Diplomacy, Ms. Cynthia Nyawira in her opening remarks emphasized the importance of leveraging the B2B sessions to forge strong, mutually beneficial relationships.

“Today’s engagement is more than just networking—it is a gateway to transformative partnerships. We encourage both Kenyan and Saudi enterprises to identify synergies, form joint ventures, and explore new avenues for trade and investment that advance our shared prosperity,” she said.

The Saudi delegation featured key speakers who underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding its investment footprint in Africa under the Vision 2030 framework. Among them were representatives from leading Saudi government institutions and private sector organizations who highlighted opportunities in food security, renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology transfer.

Participants expressed optimism that the B2B engagements would yield tangible outcomes, including joint ventures, distribution partnerships, and increased exports of Kenyan goods such as  and leather products to the Saudi market.

The forum also spotlighted Kenya’s position as a strategic gateway to regional markets within COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) — offering Saudi investors access to over 600 million consumers across Africa.

In closing, Ms. Nyawira commended both delegations for their active participation and reaffirmed KNCCI’s readiness to continue facilitating trade and investment dialogues that advance Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) while supporting Saudi Arabia’s diversification goals under Vision 2030.

The Kenya–Saudi Arabia Business Forum was a resounding success, setting the stage for a new era of trade, investment, and partnership between Nairobi and Riyadh.

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Rockcheck Group, under the leadership of its President, Ms Catherine Junting Zhang, has committed to working closely with Sumseron Coffee Limited, led by its CEO, Mr John Seroney, to elevate Kenya’s coffee sector through investment in value addition, premium branding, sustainable sourcing and farmer empowerment. The partnership will support over 30,000 farmers across 21 cooperatives, introducing advanced technology and innovation to enhance productivity and improve traceability. Additionally, the collaboration envisions unique social impact projects, including youth engagement through a coffee-and-basketball initiative that merges enterprise development with community upliftment.

This cooperation reflects the deepening trade ties between Kenya and China. Kenya’s exports to China have surpassed USD 200 million in recent years, buoyed by the growing demand for high-quality Kenyan coffee, tea, avocados, nuts, and other agro-based commodities.

KNCCI extends heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Lynette Mwende Ndile, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Beijing, for her critical diplomatic support in facilitating Kenya trade and investment agenda in China. We also recognize the presence of Mr. Luthando Vuba, Head of Standard Group at Stanbic Bank, and his team for their unwavering support in unlocking financial and trade access for African businesses.

In his remarks during the Expo, Mr. Fredrick Mukilya, Chief Representative of the KNCCI China Office, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to building long-term, structured trade relationships between Kenyan SMEs and the Chinese market. He noted, “The Sumseron–Rockcheck partnership sets the tone for future cross-border value chain collaborations, where Kenyan SMEs and cooperatives can work with credible Chinese partners in agriculture, manufacturing, services and technology. KNCCI will continue to champion structured engagement and support our members with real market entry pathways, including certifications, packaging compliance, and joint ventures that bring jobs, exports, and value to Kenya.”

KNCCI commends the participation of its members in securing lasting market access and partners at the 8th CIIE, including the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), led by Mr Geoffrey Muriira Karau, for championing the Kenya standard quality agenda.

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