EU Ambassador Encourages Kenyan Entrepreneurs to Diversify Exports to European Union.

ATHI RIVER: The EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, is advocating for Kenyan entrepreneurs to broaden their range of export products to the European Union, aiming to enhance profits through the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Geiger emphasized the importance of moving beyond the traditional horticultural exports, such as flowers and vegetables, and encouraged a shift towards manufactured and high-value goods.

According to Kenya News Agency, Geiger addressed a Kenya-EU EPA sensitization forum in Athi River, Machakos County, highlighting the agreement as a pathway for Kenya to advance in industrialization and achieve its goal of becoming an upper middle-income country. She praised Machakos County for recognizing the strategic advantages offered by the EPA through the establishment of Special Economic Zones, urging other counties to adopt similar initiatives.

Geiger reassured Kenya of the EU’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the EPA and announced plans for similar forums in
Europe to attract investments that would boost trade between the two regions. She called for collaboration between the Kenyan government and the private sector to foster a conducive business environment, acknowledging Kenya’s robust private sector as a magnet for companies setting up operations in the country.

Director of External Trade, State Department for Trade, Joseah Rotich, also spoke at the forum, noting that the agreement grants Kenyan exporters unrestricted access to the EU market, which consists of 27 countries. He underscored the potential of the EPA to expand Kenya’s industrial base and open market opportunities not only in the EU but also in other countries like the US. Rotich confirmed the department’s dedication to implementing the agreement and revealed that an EPA implementation strategy is in the final stages of development.

Tobias Alando, acting CEO of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), lauded the EPA as a chance for Kenyan manufacturers to export directly to the EU and to form
joint ventures with EU companies in Kenya. He called for county-level policies that would support the manufacturing sector.

Okisegere Ojepat, CEO of the Fresh Produce Exporters Consortium of Kenya, encouraged Kenyans to leverage the agreement to boost production and access the EU market. He acknowledged recent declines in exports due to regulatory changes and expressed optimism that the EPA would mitigate these challenges by ensuring compliance with EU standards.

The forum, attended by Machakos County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki and other officials and stakeholders, is part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the opportunities presented by the EPA.