Kenya world map

Trade in Kenya

Kenya was the world’s 112th largest exporter of goods and 77th largest exporter of commercial services in 2022. Export values were $7.41 billion and $6.93 billion USD respectively. Kenya’s top export category was Agricultural products, followed by Manufactures, and Chemicals. In 2022, Kenya’s main export destination markets for goods and services trade were to Uganda, Pakistan and United Kingdom, with trade representing 33.73 per cent of GDP. In terms of imports, Kenya is the world’s 82nd largest importer of goods and 86th largest importer of commercial services. Import values were $21.17 billion and $5.00 billion USD respectively in 2022. Kenya’s top import category was Manufactures, followed by Fuels and mining products and Agricultural products. Leading import partners were China, India and United Arab Emirates. Kenya is part of 3 different Regional Trade Agreements, including Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) – Accession of Egypt.
Regional Trade Agreements Database

General Information

This section includes general information on the economy, legal system, official languages and links to additional demographic information.

Official Name

Republic of Kenya

Abbreviation

KE

Capital

Nairobi

WTO Membership Date

1 January 1995

Legal System

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in the new Supreme Court established by the new constitution

Language

English

Number of Time Zone(s)

1

Additional Information

Financial Information

This section includes financial information such as the currency, exchange rate lookup and local banks issuing trade finance.

Currency

Kenyan shilling

Exchange Rate

Google Finance Currencies

GTFP Confirming Banks

Through the IFC's Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) bank network, local financial institutions can establish working partnerships with a vast number of major international banks in the Program that can broaden access to finance and reduce cash collateral requirements. This extends and complements the capacity of banks to deliver trade finance by providing risk mitigation on a per-transaction basis in challenging markets where trade lines may be limited.
  • Citibank NA-Nairobi, Kenya - SWIFT: CITIKENA

  • Kenya Commercial Bank Limited - Nairobi, Kenya - SWIFT: KCBLKENX

Contact Information

This section includes contact information for business support organizations and national resources.

Business Support Organizations

Government MSME Agency

  • Kenya Tea Development Authority

Copyright Offices

  • Kenya Copyright Board

  • Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice

Industrial Property Offices

  • Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI)

SPS Enquiry Points

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) enquiry points are government agencies designated to answer questions about trade requirements.
  • Plant health:
    Managing Director
    Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
    Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries & Cooperatives
    Phone: +(254 20) 661800
    Mobile phone: +(254 709) 891000
    Website: http://www.kephis.org

    P.O. Box 49592-00100

    [email protected]@kephis.org

TBT Enquiry Points

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) enquiry points are government agencies designated to answer questions about trade requirements.
  • Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
    KEBS Centre
    Contact Person: Managing Director
    Phone: +(254) 722 202137; +(254) 724 255242
    Website: https://www.kebs.org

    Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, Behind Bellevue Cinema
    P.O. Box 54974

    [email protected]

Additional Information

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Links to other helpful resources

This section includes additional links to trade-related resources.

Trade Information Portal

https://infotradekenya.go.ke/

Last Reviewed: June, 2024

Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Find a concise overview of key aspects of international trade for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises with our Businesses & Entrepreneurs Guides.

Policymakers & Researchers

Find a concise overview of key aspects of trade and MSME-related policymaking with our dedicated library of Policymakers & Researchers Guides.

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