Bilateral trade between the United Kingdom and Kenya has stayed at a record £2.1 billion for the second consecutive quarter, according to the latest UK Government data.

The figure, which covers the four quarters to the end of September 2025 (Q3 2025), is equivalent to roughly Ksh360 billion. This matches the high set in the previous quarter, when trade first surpassed the £2 billion mark.

The announcement follows the inaugural UK-Kenya Business Forum held in Nairobi on January 22, 2026. Nearly 400 people attended, including over 200 businesses from both countries. Participants met to strengthen economic ties and turn discussions into practical deals.

Kenyan exports to the UK have driven much of this trade growth. Demand remains high for tea, coffee, and horticultural goods, which continue to expand. Meanwhile, Kenya imports refined petroleum, vehicles, machinery, and power generation equipment from the UK, supporting the country’s infrastructure development.

The Business Forum also produced clear results. Discussions advanced on a potential Digital Trade Agreement. Kenya’s government announced plans to liberalise the insurance sector by removing local ownership rules. Both countries prepared to sign memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering skills development and agri-tech supply chains between British and Kenyan companies.

The UK launched its Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) for Kenya at the event. The programme allows low-carbon businesses to apply from 22 January to 11 March 2026.

Selected projects will receive three to four months of technical, financial, and inclusion support before pitching to investors in October 2026. The CFA has already helped over 200 projects worldwide raise nearly USD 500 million.

Leaders hail trade momentum

“This performance is impressive and clear evidence that our export promotion efforts are delivering real results. Sustaining over £2.1 billion in trade for a second consecutive quarter underscores the growing confidence of UK businesses in Kenya as a trade and investment partner,” Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui said.

“The UK–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement continues to play a critical role in securing predictable market access for Kenyan exports into the UK, supporting value-added trade, creating jobs, and unlocking opportunities for young people across manufacturing, agribusiness, and services, in line with our economic transformation agenda.”

UK Chargé d’Affaires Dr Ed Barnett added: “These record trade figures show the strength of the UK–Kenya economic partnership, which is delivering for big and small businesses alike. Sustaining £2.1 billion in trade value for a second quarter reflects the energy at the inaugural Business Forum. I look forward to building on this momentum as we work together to remove barriers to trade – we’re going far, together.”

Both governments continue to work closely with businesses to strengthen supply chains, ease exports and investment, support Kenya’s competitiveness reforms, and connect the 150 British firms already operating in Kenya with local companies.

This cooperation helped trade grow in the latest quarter. UK exports to Kenya rose 4.5 per cent, while Kenyan exports to the UK jumped 12 per cent.