Trade between Kenya and the United Kingdom has reached a historic milestone, surpassing the Sh340 billion (£2.1 billion) mark for the first time, according to new data from the UK Department for Business and Trade released on October 31, 2025. This represents an 11.9 percent increase over the previous year, underscoring the strengthening economic relationship between the two countries.
The growth was driven by an 8 percent rise in UK exports to Kenya and a 14 percent surge in Kenyan exports to the UK. During the reporting period ending September 2024, Kenya exported goods worth Sh63 billion (£371 million) and services worth Sh71.5 billion (£421 million) to the UK.
Animal and vegetable products led the export growth, climbing 15.6 percent to Sh28.7 billion (£169.2 million), followed by beverages including coffee and tea which rose by 12.8 percent to Sh24.3 billion (£143.3 million).
On the other hand, the UK exported goods and services worth Sh134.6 billion (£792 million) to Kenya, compared to Sh124 billion (£733 million) in the previous period. Mechanical power generators topped the list of UK exports, growing by 18.3 percent, while refined oil and cars rose by 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Nairobi, Ed Barnett, hailed the milestone, saying, “The UK and Kenya are turbocharging trade. To turn ambitions into reality, we’re working together to break down trade barriers. We go far when we go together.”
Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, attributed the surge to a robust partnership aimed at expanding trade flows, diversifying exports, and strengthening economic resilience.
She noted that Kenya plans to enhance its export market base through value addition, branding, and promoting goods made in Kenya to access global markets.
Currently, over 150 British companies operate in Kenya, employing more than 250,000 Kenyans and contributing significantly to the country’s tax base a reflection of the deepening economic partnership between the two nations.
