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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The high-level meeting marks a significant diplomatic milestone, coming ahead of the official opening of Guatemala’s new embassy in Nairobi. This will become only the third Guatemalan embassy on the African continent, following established missions in Morocco and Egypt.

Strategic Highlights from the Bilateral Talks

The discussions centered on creating robust, reciprocal trade pathways that leverage the unique geographical and economic advantages of both nations:

• A Gateway to North America: Ambassador Carranza highlighted how Kenyan businesses can utilize Guatemala as a strategic entry point into North American markets. Guatemala enjoys lucrative, deeply integrated trade agreements with Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
• Kenya as an African Launchpad: Conversely, KNCCI leadership outlined the immense potential for Guatemalan businesses to utilize Kenya as a commercial launchpad to capture markets across East and Central Africa, and the wider African continent.
• Private Sector Collaboration via MoUs: To practicalize these trade opportunities, both parties explored avenues for KNCCI to collaborate directly with the Guatemala Chambers of Commerce and the country’s Exporters Association. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between these apex private sector bodies is being considered to serve as the primary vehicle for driving future business delegations and B2B partnerships.

Driving Private Sector Growth

This historic visit underscores KNCCI’s ongoing commitment to international trade facilitation and policy advocacy. By forging new alliances with emerging diplomatic partners like Guatemala, the Chamber continues to open fresh export frontiers and attract foreign direct investment for Kenyan entrepreneurs.

Further details regarding the upcoming MoU and subsequent trade missions will be shared with members in due course.

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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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Their high-level discussions focused on deepening bilateral trade, investment, and collaboration in ICT, logistics, port management, renewable energy, smart cities, and financial technology areas suggested by Dr. Rutto as high-impact opportunities for Kenya-Singapore cooperation.

Dr. Kan who presented his credentials to His Excellency William Ruto in June 2025 highlighted Africa’s immense potential, with its population estimated at 1.44 billion in 2026.

In his remarks, Dr. Rutto challenged Singapore Airlines and other global players to recognize Africa as a serious and strategic aviation market, ripe for growth and investment.

The engagement marks a significant step in Kenya’s strategic journey toward adopting global best practices inspired by Singapore’s model of excellence, in line with the Government’s development agenda.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of a ceremonial plaque to H.E. Dr. Kan in recognition of his commitment to advancing Kenya–Singapore relations.

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He emphasized bridging the trade deficit by scaling Kenya’s exports through value addition, standards compliance, SME aggregation, and private sector-led growth in agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and other priority sectors.

Panel – Bridging Markets, Creating Opportunities:

* Regina Ombam – Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade
* Feng Xiang – Chairman, Beijing Xineng Rare Earth Co. Ltd
* Zhang Shaolin – Manager, Zhejiang Pujia Import and Export Co., Ltd
* Pally Muthathai – Chairperson, MacNut Association of Kenya
* Erick Rutto – President, KNCCI
Moderator: Beatrice Marshall

Dr. Rutto also engaged senior officials including Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, reinforcing KNCCI’s role as the bridge between policy and enterprise.

The session gained momentum with the arrival of Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, and Han Zheng, Vice President of China and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, whose remarks highlighted a shared commitment to deepening trade and translating policy into real market outcomes.

Hon. Lee Kinyanjui delivered a strong address on Kenya’s global trade positioning, while high-level sessions and business matchmaking set the stage for deals across:
* Agriculture & Food Industry
* Energy & Mining
* Manufacturing Industry
* Trade & Financial Services
* Technology and Other Sectors

On the sidelines, Dr. Rutto engaged the media—including China Global Television Network—delving into the duty-free framework and its ripple effects on Kenyan exports.

A day of bold discussions, strategic alignment, and actionable partnerships—showcasing KNCCI as the engine driving Kenya’s trade growth

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Led by KNCCI Economic Diplomacy Chair Mrs. Cynthia Nyawira, the forum spotlighted the vast but untapped commercial potential between Africa and Latin America—two regions that share strong economic complementarities yet trade far below their capacity.

The forum enabled direct engagement between businesses, positioning Kenya as a strategic gateway to East Africa while leveraging Brazil’s industrial strength and market scale. On the sidelines, KNCCI held high-level discussions with the President of the Afro-Brazil Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Rui Mucaje, to advance a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating market access, trade facilitation, and sustained private-sector collaboration.

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The signing ceremony, witnessed by senior government officials, business leaders, and representatives from both countries, marks a significant milestone in expanding commercial collaboration between the two dynamic emerging economies.

Speaking during the event, KNCCI Patron H.E Dr. William Ruto emphasized the importance of this partnership in unlocking new opportunities for businesses in both nations.

“This MoU establishes a strong foundation for trade cooperation, knowledge exchange, and investment growth between Kenya and Malaysia. It opens doors for our SMEs and large corporations alike, and positions our private sectors to jointly explore opportunities in manufacturing, green energy, logistics, finance, ICT, and other strategic sectors. ” — H.E Dr. William Ruto, Chamber Patron – KNCCI.

Key Areas of Cooperation Under the MoU

The MoU establishes a structured framework focused on enhancing business-to-business linkages and removing barriers to trade. Key provisions include:

1. Trade Cooperation

Both chambers will support the exchange of trade missions, promote joint ventures, and facilitate market access for businesses seeking opportunities across the two regions.

2. Exhibitions and Trade Fairs

KNCCI and NCCIM will share information on international exhibitions and provide technical support to encourage business participation in major trade fairs and conferences in their respective countries.

3. Business Information Exchange

The parties will exchange vital information on trade and investment opportunities, commercial legislation, market statistics, and sectoral insights, while establishing open digital channels to support business information sharing.

4. Training and Capacity Building

The partnership will support the organization of joint training programs, seminars, workshops, and sector-specific capacity-building initiatives to boost competitiveness among businesses.

5. Establishment of a Joint Business Council (JBC)

The MoU allows for the establishment of a Kenya–Malaysia Joint Business Council, which will serve as a structured mechanism to drive bilateral trade, identify challenges, and unlock new opportunities for collaboration.

This agreement underscores KNCCI’s ongoing commitment to expanding international market access for Kenyan enterprises and fostering strategic partnerships that drive economic growth, innovation, and job creation.

The signing of this MoU further reflects the strong ties between Kenya and Malaysia and the shared commitment to promoting investment-led development, business expansion, and mutual prosperity.

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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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The President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Dr. Erick Rutto, today held a meeting with representatives from the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce led by His Excellency Director General of the Chamber,​ Sultan Al-Hindassi, at his office to discuss strengthening trade and investment relations between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

During the discussions, the Fujairah delegation highlighted Fujairah’s strategic advantage as the preferred port for Kenyan exporters and importers, emphasizing its ease of business setup compared to Dubai and the existing trade partnership frameworks between Kenya and the UAE.

The visiting team also underscored UAE’s growing demand for Kenyan livestock and meat products, identifying the sector as a high-potential area for mutual growth and collaboration with prospects of using the Lamu Port.

On its part, KNCCI reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Kenya–UAE trade ties, pledging to advocate for the ratification of the Special Economic Partnership Agreement (SEPA) to facilitate smoother trade flows between the two countries.

Dr. Rutto further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two chambers to enhance trade integrity and ensure that only verified and genuine traders are engaged in cross-border business, noting the need to curb the rising cases of fraud in international trade.

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to explore structured cooperation frameworks that will support private sector engagement, promote investment opportunities, and strengthen Kenya’s export competitiveness in the Gulf region.

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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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