Kenyans eye tariff-free boom with Chinese market

Kenya is intensifying efforts to expand its presence in China's vast consumer market, with exporters seeking to significantly increase shipments of avocados, coffee, tea and other agricultural products following Beijing's introduction of zero-tariff access for goods from African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

The East African nation is also looking to leverage the 9th China International Import Expo, or CIIE, set for Nov 5-10 in Shanghai, as a platform to unlock new business opportunities, attract investment and strengthen trade ties with the world's second-largest economy.

Speaking in Nairobi ahead of the expo, Lucy Muchoki, director of programs and partnerships at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or KNCCI, said Kenya is determined to maximize the benefits of the zero-tariff policy that came into effect on May 1.

"China has already granted Kenya and the rest of Africa tariff-free access and we are working very hard to ensure our businesses seize this opportunity," Muchoki, who represented KNCCI President Erick Rutto, said.

"Kenya is among the leading exporters of horticultural products to Europe, and with duty-free access to China, we are looking forward to exporting more to China's 1.4-billion-strong consumer market," she added.

Muchoki stated that Kenya exported 6.7 metric tons of avocados to China in May and is targeting to triple the volumes as demand continues to grow.

"We want Chinese investors to come to Kenya so that we can process and export finished products, creating employment opportunities for our young people," she said.

Vera Ontumbi, a trade banking specialist at Stanbic Bank Kenya, said the annual Shanghai exhibition has become one of the bank's most important platforms for helping Kenyan exporters access buyers, build partnerships and tap into China's rapidly expanding consumer market.

She also encouraged greater use of renminbi in cross-border transactions, arguing that it would simplify payments, reduce transaction costs and improve efficiency for both Kenyan exporters and Chinese importers.

"The future of China-Africa trade and investment is very promising and we want to ensure our clients are well positioned to capture these opportunities," Ontumbi said.

Hua Wei, president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, who led the Chinese delegation described the expo as the world's only national-level exhibition dedicated to imports, offering Kenyan producers a unique opportunity to access Chinese consumers.

He noted that Kenya will participate through both the country pavilion and the trade-in-services section, enabling it to showcase its products, tourism attractions and investment opportunities.

Zhou Zhencheng, minister counselor at the Chinese embassy in Kenya, said the expo has evolved into a powerful platform for expanding market access, strengthening global cooperation and supporting China's drive to increase imports and promote more balanced trade.

"China's continued high-level opening-up will create new opportunities for countries around the world and contribute to a more open global economy," Zhou said.

victor@chinadailyafrica.com