Kenya, Dubai launch business council to unlock trade, investment - The Standard

Kenya and Dubai have launched the Kenya Business Council in Dubai to deepen bilateral trade and unlock new investment opportunities under the Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The council, established by Dubai Chambers, held its inaugural meeting at Dubai Chambers headquarters and will serve as a platform to connect Kenyan businesses with partners across the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Dubai Chambers reports 146 new Kenyan companies joined in 2025, bringing the total number of active Kenyan businesses in Dubai to 587—a 9.7 per cent increase year-on-year—while non-oil trade between the two economies reached AED13.6 billion (about KSh480 billion), up 2.1 per cent from the previous year.

"The new Kenyan Business Council is an important platform for strengthening trade and investment partnerships between Dubai and Kenya. It also plays a pivotal role in exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation across various sectors, contributing to stimulating economic growth and establishing sustainable strategic partnerships between the business communities of both sides," said Maha Al Gergawi, Vice President of Business Community Support at Dubai Chambers.

Council role and immediate priorities

The Kenya Business Council will represent Kenyan businesses and professionals in the UAE, supporting networking, partnerships and market access across the Gulf. Its launch follows the opening earlier this year of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) office in Dubai, created to assist Kenyan exporters with market entry and trade-support services.

KNCCI President Erick Rutto outlined the pragmatic services the Dubai office will provide to exporters: "The office will provide due diligence services, payment protection mechanisms and real-time market intelligence to reduce trade disputes and payment defaults that have cost Kenyan exporters billions of shillings over the years." These measures are intended to lower transaction risk and improve the predictability of trade flows for small and medium enterprises that export agricultural produce and other goods to the UAE.

Trade composition and recent trends

• Kenya's exports to the UAE include tea, coffee, cut flowers, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and other agricultural products.
• Kenya imports from the UAE include petroleum products, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, electronics and manufactured goods.
• Dubai Chambers' membership figures—587 Kenyan companies active in Dubai with 146 added in 2025—signal growing private-sector engagement since CEPA implementation.
• Non-oil bilateral trade reached AED13.6 billion (approximately KSh480 billion), a 2.1% increase over the prior year.

Outlook

With CEPA lowering trade barriers and encouraging investment, the Kenya Business Council is positioned to accelerate commercial ties by facilitating partnerships, providing market intelligence and advocating for smoother trade procedures. The council’s success will hinge on its ability to convert increased institutional links and membership growth into measurable gains for Kenyan exporters, particularly in reducing payment defaults and resolving trade disputes highlighted by KNCCI.

As Dubai remains a regional hub for logistics and finance, Kenyan firms—especially in agriculture and horticulture—stand to gain improved market access if the council delivers on its mandate. Continued monitoring of trade volumes, membership expansion and dispute-resolution outcomes will indicate whether the new body translates diplomatic and commercial ambition into sustained economic returns for businesses on both sides.