By WMW
Kenya’s tea sector has called for expanded duty-free access into the Chinese market as stakeholders from Kenya and China met in Nairobi for a high-level trade and investment symposium themed “Zero Tariffs, Infinite Opportunities.”
Speaking during the forum, KTDA Holdings Chairman Enos Njeru said Kenya must take full advantage of emerging trade policy shifts to boost exports, especially in tea and other agricultural products, which remain key foreign exchange earners for the country.
The symposium, hosted at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, brought together senior government officials, private sector players, exporters, and development partners to deepen bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
It was hosted by Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan alongside Amb. Jane Makori, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (Asia and Pacific).
Njeru welcomed China’s ongoing consideration to remove VAT on selected imports, terming it a positive step toward improving the competitiveness of Kenyan exports in the Chinese market. However, he urged both governments to go further by eliminating import duties on key Kenyan products to fully realize the “zero-tariff” vision.
Here noted that Kenya’s tea industry, alongside coffee, horticulture, and other value-added agricultural products, stands to benefit significantly from improved market access arrangements. According to him, reducing trade barriers would not only increase export volumes but also strengthen farmer incomes and rural livelihoods.
The forum also focused on addressing the persistent trade imbalance between Kenya and China. Stakeholders called for deliberate policy and commercial interventions to boost Kenyan exports while encouraging increased Chinese investment in manufacturing, agro-processing, infrastructure, and technology transfer within Kenya.
Participants emphasized the need for streamlined customs procedures, improved regulatory frameworks, and stronger quality standards to help Kenyan goods meet international market requirements. They also highlighted the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through capacity building and export readiness programmes.
Digital trade and e-commerce emerged as key areas of opportunity, with stakeholders noting China’s advanced digital economy as a strategic platform for Kenyan businesses to access wider global markets. Kenyan exporters were encouraged to leverage Chinese online platforms to enhance competitiveness and market reach.
Amb. Makori reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships and creating an enabling environment for foreign investment. She said Kenya is keen on reforms that expand export opportunities and attract sustainable investment.
Ambassador Guo Haiyan echoed this sentiment, stating that China remains committed to supporting Kenya’s economic transformation through expanded trade, investment flows, and knowledge exchange.
The symposium concluded with a shared commitment to continued dialogue and practical policy reforms aimed at achieving a more balanced and sustainable trade relationship. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the “Zero Tariffs, Infinite Opportunities” initiative would help unlock new growth pathways and deepen economic ties between the two countries.