The discussions centered on creating a structured framework for inter-chamber collaboration. The MCCCI, established as a partnership of enterprises and associations across all sectors of the Malawian economy, plays a pivotal role in representing the private sector in Lilongwe. By aligning with KNCCI, both organizations aim to bridge the information gap for SMEs and large-scale investors alike.

Bilateral trade between Kenya and Malawi has shown consistent growth, with the total value reaching approximately $74 million (Ksh 9.7 billion) annually.

• Kenya’s Exports to Malawi: Valued at approximately $56.2 million, led by packaged medicaments ($12M), sanitary products ($8.56M), and soaps.

• Malawi’s Exports to Kenya: Valued at approximately $17.9 million, dominated by soybean meal ($7.21M), groundnuts ($5.83M), and maize seeds.

Vice President Ramadhan Mustafa highlighted that the “DARAJA” pathway, a strategy of moving from convention to structured corridors, is essential for the Kenya-Malawi partnership. Beyond traditional agriculture, the chambers are eyeing:

• Mining: Unlocking Malawi’s promising limestone and coal resources through Kenyan industrial expertise.

• Manufacturing: Encouraging Kenyan firms, which already operate in Malawi’s food processing and IT sectors, to expand their footprint.

• Value Addition: Collaborative ventures where raw materials from Malawi’s SME base undergo processing in Kenya’s advanced manufacturing zones for re-export.

The meeting concluded with a firm commitment to establishing a joint business desk and organizing reciprocal trade missions. As both nations leverage the COMTRADE framework and regional trade blocs, the goal remains clear: to transform bilateral intent into bankable joint ventures that benefit the youth and business communities of both Nairobi and Lilongwe.

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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has today launched the 2026 Annual Business Barometer Survey and Advocacy Strategy, unveiling strong business optimism alongside persistent structural challenges that continue to constrain growth across the country.

Drawing insights from 1,150 businesses across all 47 counties, the Barometer provides one of the most comprehensive, evidence-based assessments of Kenya’s business environment, reinforcing KNCCI’s role as the leading voice of private sector advocacy.

The 2026 Barometer paints a picture of a resilient and forward-looking private sector:

• 1% of businesses reported improved performance, upholding recovery momentum
• Only 10% reported decline, a sharp improvement from 24% in 2025
• A record 86.2% of businesses are optimistic about the year ahead, up from 65% last year

KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto described this as a turning point:

“This is not just recovery—it is proof of the resilience and strength of Kenyan businesses. They have adapted, innovated, and survived despite a difficult operating environment.”

Despite the optimism, the survey highlights deep-rooted constraints:

• 4% of businesses cite high taxation as their biggest challenge
• 36% face limited access to affordable finance
• 3% are affected by high energy and fuel costs

In addition, businesses are grappling with heavy regulatory burdens:

• Over 540 licenses and permits across 61 regulatory bodies
• Compliance costs consuming an estimated 30–50% of business resources

Dr. Rutto emphasized the urgency of reform:

“The cost of regulation is no longer just administrative it is a direct barrier to growth. We must simplify compliance and create a predictable business environment.”

The Chamber raised concern over the long-term decline of Kenya’s manufacturing sector:

• Contribution to GDP has dropped from 10.9% in 2013 to 7.2% in 2025

This trend signals weakening industrial competitiveness, driven by high energy costs, taxation, and import pressures.

KNCCI CEO Mr. KK Mutai underscored the importance of evidence-based policymaking:

“The Barometer transforms real business experiences into credible, actionable intelligence. When we engage government, we do so with facts from over 1,150 businesses—not assumptions.”

Former Ambassador to Belgium Prof. Bitange Ndemo echoed this position, calling for a shift in governance:

“Kenya and Africa must make policy decisions based on data. Institutions like KNCCI must remain at the forefront of providing market intelligence that drives economic transformation.”

The survey reveals critical structural realities:

• 67% of businesses are micro-enterprises, underscoring the need for MSME-focused policies
• 70% of businesses are not exporting, despite strong regional opportunities
• Exporting firms outperform non-exporters by 12.7 percentage points, highlighting untapped trade potential

Businesses have issued a clear mandate for reform:

• Improve access to affordable finance (58.3%)
• Reduce cost of energy (47.8%)
• Harmonise taxes and licences (47.7%)
• Clear pending government bills (KES 600–650 billion)

Speaking on behalf of the government Stanley Koske Director for Research, Policy and Industrial Data in the State Department for Industrialization welcomed evidence based intervention by the barometer terming the confidence business trend by entrepreneurs as a sign that the government policies were working.

“We acknowledge that our businesses continue to go through various challenges and as government several measures have been put in place to help alleviate their pain. This includes energy sector reforms, ongoing infrastructure development including extension of the SGR and various roads and industrial parks. We are also reducing duplication of licenses so as to ease regulatory compliance including the need for a one stop investment platform,” Stanley Koske Director for Research, Policy and Industrial Data.

In response, KNCCI has launched a National Advocacy Strategy focused on:

• Tax reform and simplification, including improvements to Turnover Tax
• “One Business, One License” policy to reduce regulatory duplication
• Prompt Payment Bill to unlock liquidity for MSMEs
• Affordable financing solutions, including credit guarantees
• Energy cost reduction, with emphasis on renewable energy
• Export promotion, leveraging AfCFTA, EAC, and COMESA markets

The Chamber noted that Kenya stands at a critical inflection point:

“The foundation for growth is strong, but without decisive policy action, this optimism may not last,” said Mr. Mutai.

If reforms are implemented, 2026 could deliver:

• Stronger MSME growth
• Increased job creation
• Expanded exports
• Improved global competitiveness

However, failure to act risks slowing recovery and eroding business confidence.

The 2026 KNCCI Annual Business Barometer sends a clear message:

Kenyan businesses are ready to grow but they need a supportive, predictable, and data-driven policy environment.

In conclusion the chamber has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that: business voices are heard, policies are informed by evidence and advocacy leads to measurable economic change

Download barometer using this link: https://www.kenyachamber.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Annual-Barometer-2026-Report.pdf

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The TradeMark Africa (TMA) team — Michael Masero and Leila Sila — introduced and onboarded participants onto the iSOKO platform, providing an in-depth presentation on its value proposition, market intelligence capabilities, and data-driven insights for exporters.

An afternoon knowledge session explored the role of youth and emerging opportunities within the digital trade ecosystem, followed by an interactive Q&A session.

The two-day engagement concludes with exporters better informed and system developers equipped with actionable feedback to enhance platform efficiency and competitiveness.

Congratulations to the First Cohort for successfully completing the programme.

Cohort Two will attend a similar two-day workshop from Wednesday to Thursday this week, further expanding digital adoption across the export ecosystem.

KNCCI remains committed to advancing secure, transparent, and globally competitive trade facilitation systems.

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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), in collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), successfully hosted the Kenya–Zimbabwe Investment and Trade Mission in Nairobi under the theme “Unlocking Business Potential through Policy, Partnerships, and Productivity.”

The high-level engagement brought together government officials, business leaders, and investors from both nations to explore practical avenues for expanding bilateral trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.

KNCCI National Director Joseph Mutavi who represented Chamber Preesident Dr Eric Rutto, underscored the Chamber’s commitment to fostering private-sector-driven partnerships that would lead to tangible business outcomes, particularly in agro-processing, manufacturing, and technology transfer. Mr. Mutavi lamented on the sad state of trade between the two nations, noting that between 2022 and 2024, Kenya–Zimbabwe trade averaged only USD 39 million annually—representing just 0.25% of their global trade volumes. Kenya exported USD 22.1 million worth of goods, mainly value-added products, while importing USD 16.9 million, mostly raw tobacco and sugar.

He observed that while Kenya’s exports to Zimbabwe are diversified and value-added, Zimbabwe’s exports remain concentrated in raw commodities.

“Africa will not industrialize by exporting raw materials to each other. We must collaborate on value addition,” he asserted.

Mr. Mutavi called on both sides to use this trade mission as a launch-pad for industrial partnerships that bring stability, predictability, and growth to the bilateral relationship.

In his remarks during the opening session, Advocate Christopher Mugaga, CEO of ZNCC, highlighted the long-standing relations between the two countries and called for strengthened collaboration to unlock Africa’s collective potential through trade and industrial linkages. Mrs. ZNCC Deputy President, also noted that the mission was timely as both economies seek to diversify exports, deepen value addition, and benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The second session focused on identifying key investment and trade opportunities between Kenya and Zimbabwe. Presentations were made by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), and ZimTrade, who unpacked opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, ICT, and tourism.

Speakers from both KNCCI and ZNCC emphasized the need to shift from exporting raw materials to producing and trading in value-added goods.

“For Zimbabwe, this means moving up the value chain by leveraging Kenya’s agro-processing expertise, while for Kenya, it means tapping into Zimbabwe’s mineral and industrial potential to support manufacturing and infrastructure growth,” said Fatma Bashir, Head of Trade department at KNCCI

In his closing remarks, KNCCI Ag CEO Mr. K.K. Mutai called for a paradigm shift, urging both sides to focus on value addition, industrial linkages, and technology integration. He underscored that the AfCFTA presents a transformative framework for deepening this partnership—through eliminating tariff barriers, harmonizing standards, and fostering integrated regional value chains.

The afternoon sessions were dedicated to sector-specific B2B matchmaking, facilitated jointly by KNCCI and ZNCC. Participants explored concrete partnership opportunities in agro-processing, industrial manufacturing, logistics, and technology transfer.

The Kenya–Zimbabwe Investment and Trade Mission reaffirmed the shared vision of both countries to harness policy, partnerships, and productivity as catalysts for industrial transformation.

KNCCI and ZNCC leaders agreed on the need to institutionalize business exchanges, promote joint ventures, and facilitate regular trade missions under the AfCFTA framework to sustain momentum.

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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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