Kenya-UK Bilateral Trade Surpasses Sh340 Billion One Year After Strategic Partnership Signed

Bilateral trade between Kenya and the United Kingdom surpassed Sh340 billion (£2 billion) for the first time one year after the two nations signed a Strategic Partnership, AllAfrica reported. British High Commissioner to Kenya Matt Baugh said the relationship has shifted from diplomatic commitments to concrete investments and employment gains.

British companies currently employ approximately 250,000 Kenyans.

A recently launched infrastructure investment fund at the Nairobi Securities Exchange will finance transport, energy and digital connectivity projects. The Nairobi Railway City project, backed by about £150 million, is projected to generate around 10,000 jobs and is modeled on the regeneration of London's King's Cross district.

Projects under the partnership are expected to support more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs overall.

The Kenya-UK Economic Partnership Agreement gives Kenyan exporters duty-free and quota-free access to British markets. Spring Valley Coffee won the Best New Coffee House award at the London Coffee Awards. The two countries have started discussions on a Digital Trade Agreement.

The United Kingdom is supporting digital inclusion programmes expected to benefit more than 200,000 individuals and businesses, with emphasis on women-led enterprises and persons with disabilities. The United Kingdom and Kenya have cooperated on regional peace and security for more than two decades, including counter-terrorism operations in Somalia and diplomatic efforts in Sudan.

The United Kingdom is assisting 8,500 vulnerable Kenyan households to adapt to droughts and floods and has mobilized £200 million in climate finance.