Kenya has revived discussions to deepen its economic ties with Egypt, following fresh high-level engagements between trade officials and diplomats from the two countries.
In Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam hosted Egypt’s Ambassador to Kenya, Hayek Yousri Hosni, for talks focused on unlocking untapped trade opportunities and resolving challenges that have slowed business between the two nations.
One of the key issues raised was delayed payments for Kenyan exports, particularly tea. For many exporters, cash flow disruptions can quickly turn into major setbacks.
The ambassador said Egypt has since set up an Export Guarantee Company to cushion exporters against commercial and payment risks, and this will restore confidence among Kenyan suppliers trading with Egyptian buyers.
Kenya is keen to broaden the scope of cooperation beyond traditional trade, and to this end, PS Ombam stressed on opportunities in tourism, food security, pharmaceuticals, logistics, Special Economic Zones, agriculture and value addition, saying the goal is to build a more balanced and mutually beneficial relationship.
Trade between the two countries has grown steadily in recent years, though it remains tilted in Egypt’s favour.
Kenya mainly exports tea, coffee, meat and meat products, fresh produce such as avocados and mangoes, and some horticultural products to Egypt. In return, Egypt exports manufactured goods to Kenya, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, processed foods, machinery and construction materials.
Trade data shows that total bilateral trade between Kenya and Egypt runs in the high of about Ksh100 billion annually, but Kenya’s exports account for only a fraction of that figure, estimated at Ksh.10.4 billion, while imports from Egypt exceed Ksh.19.5 billion, pointing to a trade imbalance which both sides now want to address.
Officials believe the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) framework provides room to expand Kenyan exports and narrow that gap.
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With better payment systems and improved market access, products like tea, meat and fresh produce could gain a stronger foothold in Egypt’s large consumer market.
The renewed talk comes ahead of President William Ruto’s scheduled state visit to Egypt from May 11 to 14, 2026. The visit is expected to include a Joint Technical Committee meeting, a Joint Business Council session and a Kenya–Egypt Business Forum aimed at corroborating private-sector partnerships.
Nairobi pointed the talks with Cairo to devising a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership designed to elevate relations beyond traditional diplomacy into structured economic, energy and political cooperation.
The initiative follows consultations between Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, building on earlier engagements between Presidents Ruto and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Priority areas include expanding trade and investment, boosting renewable energy collaboration and supporting industrial development, particularly pharmaceutical manufacturing in Kenya.
Both countries are also looking to coordinate more closely within the African Union, while working together on Nile Basin development and regional infrastructure projects.
