Kenya seeks bigger slice of EU market with new export catalogue

Kenya seeks bigger slice of EU market with new export catalogue

The initiative comes as industry players push for policy reforms to improve manufacturers’ competitiveness and enable Kenya to secure a bigger share of the European market.

Kenya has launched an export catalogue to connect local manufacturers with European buyers, showcase a wider range of Kenyan products and help businesses tap into the European Union’s 450 million-consumer market.

The Kenya-EU Export Catalogue is expected to improve the visibility of local suppliers, open new sourcing opportunities and encourage manufacturers to scale up production to meet international demand, as the country seeks to grow export earnings, create jobs and expand industrial output.

Launched by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with government agencies and Danish Industry East Africa, the catalogue features products ranging from textiles and apparel to pharmaceuticals, chemicals, furniture, electrical equipment and building materials, alongside traditional exports such as tea, coffee, flowers and fresh produce.

The initiative comes as industry players push for policy reforms to improve manufacturers’ competitiveness and enable Kenya to secure a bigger share of the European market.

Kenya’s exports to the EU are valued at approximately $1.85 billion (Sh240.35 billion), against a market with a gross domestic product exceeding €18.8 trillion, highlighting the potential to increase sales and diversify the country’s export base.

However, manufacturers warn that high production costs, regulatory hurdles and difficulties in meeting international standards continue to limit their access to European buyers.

Latest Stories

• Governor Abdulswamad blames court battles for stalled Mombasa waste management project
• 21 counties to benefit from Sh10 billion plan to cut maternal, newborn deaths
• Kenyan working for US child welfare agency arrested over alleged visa overstay
• Court summons Charles Kerich, Governor Sakaja over Sh76.7 million legal fees debt

KAM Board Chairperson Hitesh Mediratta said Kenya must address structural challenges, including expensive and unreliable electricity, inefficient transport and logistics networks, complex regulatory procedures and the cost of complying with European market requirements.

“Kenya is well positioned to strengthen its participation in global value chains and become a preferred sourcing destination for European buyers seeking reliable and diversified supply chains. However, market access alone is not enough,” Mediratta said.

He added that KAM is actively working with the government and development partners to improve manufacturers’ competitiveness through policy advocacy, market intelligence, certification support, training programmes and trade missions.

The government has also urged exporters to identify products with strong market potential and increase value addition to maximise opportunities under the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Michael Mandu, Secretary at the State Department for Trade, said preferential market access must be backed by a deliberate export strategy to translate opportunities into higher sales and stronger business partnerships.

“If Kenya is currently capturing only 10 per cent of the European Union’s import market on flowers alone, we must ask ourselves what it will take to unlock the remaining 90 per cent of the opportunity,” Mandu said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said Kenya’s diplomatic missions would support exporters with market intelligence, help identify prospective buyers and connect local businesses with potential partners across Europe.

They all spoke during the catalogue launch event on Wednesday in Nairobi.

The EU comprises 27 member states, and the catalogue is intended to strengthen Kenya’s participation in the bloc’s market while increasing manufacturing’s contribution to economic growth and employment.