Kenya and Brazil have entered fresh talks aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, as both countries look to hedge against uncertainty in traditional markets.

According to information shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Kenya-Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum brought together senior government officials, investment agencies, and private sector players from both countries.

The timing was notable. With the US government imposing and expanding tariffs across several sectors, emerging economies are increasingly seeking alternative trade corridors and South-South partnerships.

For Kenya and Brazil, the Nairobi meeting was less about ceremony and more about recalibrating strategy.

Kenya’s delegation was led by Invest Kenya Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa, who engaged with more than 26 Brazilian and 40 Kenyan companies.  

“The discussions today clearly demonstrate Kenya’s readiness to translate investor interest into concrete, bankable projects. Kenya aims to offer investors a “seamless, transparent, and predictable investment process,” the statement read in part.

The forum took place against a backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics. New and proposed US tariffs have increased costs for exporters and disrupted long-established supply chains.

The trade imbalance

For countries like Brazil, which exported goods worth Ksh43.5 trillion in 2024, diversifying trade partners has become more urgent. Kenya, meanwhile, is seeking to reduce reliance on a narrow range of export destinations and products.

Despite friendly diplomatic relations, trade between the two countries remains limited. In 2024, Kenya exported goods worth about Ksh154.8 million to Brazil, while imports from Brazil reached Ksh21.71 million. Rather than framing this as a failure, officials described it as evidence of untapped potential.

“This trade profile highlights opportunities to diversify exports, deepen cooperation, and build joint value chains,” said Cynthia Nyawira, Director at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).

Kenya has identified the South American nation as a strategic partner due to its strengths in agribusiness, manufacturing, energy, health, and technology. Kenya pointed to existing cooperation, including Brazil’s involvement in the Cotton Victoria Project, which has supported cotton production and farming practices in East Africa.

Food crisis

According to the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, more than 295 million people across 53 countries faced crisis-level hunger in 2024, largely due to climate shocks and economic instability.

The government argues that cooperation between major agricultural producers like Brazil and regional hubs like Kenya could help stabilise supply chains and reduce exposure to global disruptions worsened by tariffs.

Jorge Viana, President of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), highlighted sectors where cooperation could grow, including tea, textiles and apparel, fish, agro-processing, renewable energy, and green technologies.

“Kenya’s comparative strengths align with Brazilian industrial capacities and market demand,” he said.

Institutional coordination was another focus. The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) and ApexBrasil confirmed plans to formalise cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding, though internal approvals have delayed its signing.

The agreement is expected to support two-way trade, the sharing of market intelligence, and integration into global value chains.

The deal also positioned the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) 2026 as a follow-up platform to turn dialogue into deals, particularly as global trade tensions continue to reshape investment flows.