UK and Kenya Collaborate to Strengthen Business Regulations and Trade Environment

By fostering a stronger regulatory environment, this initiative is expected to pave the way for increased foreign investment, business growth, and enhanced trade relations between Kenya, the UK, and the wider African region.

Kenya and the United Kingdom have partnered to enhance business regulations in Kenya through a three-day workshop aimed at fostering a more efficient, predictable, and transparent regulatory environment. The event, held in Nairobi, seeks to address challenges faced by businesses operating in Kenya—both local enterprises and international investors—by learning from the UK’s regulatory frameworks and best practices.

The workshop aims to equip Kenyan officials with the tools and expertise necessary to streamline regulatory processes, enhance accreditation standards, and boost compliance with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Strengthening regulatory efficiency will also bolster intra-African trade and investment opportunities.

Key Statements from Industry Leaders

Richlove Mensah, Director, Trade and Investment, Kenya & Regional Director, East Africa, emphasized the importance of regulatory reforms, stating:

"Whilst no business environment will ever be perfect, Kenya must seize its economic potential and introduce rapid reforms to regulation that will unlock jobs and economic growth—ultimately putting more shillings in the pockets of the people. We want to capitalize on a bumper year of trade through this excellent and timely UK-Kenya partnership. The UK is listening to the challenges, and we are applying our regulatory excellence to help deliver solutions as a long-term partner for Kenya—because we go far when we go together."

Dr. Walter Ongeti, Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), highlighted the role of accreditation in regulatory reliability:

"Accreditation plays a vital role in ensuring regulatory reliability, fostering trust by guaranteeing competence, impartiality, and compliance with international standards."

Esther Ngari, Managing Director at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), stressed the need for a structured regulatory framework:

"The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is committed to advancing Good Regulatory Practices (GRP) that drive economic growth, facilitate trade, and safeguard consumer interests. A transparent, predictable, and evidence-based regulatory framework is essential for fostering investment and enhancing industry competitiveness. By integrating key tools such as Regulatory Impact Assessments, post-implementation reviews, and stakeholder engagement, we can create a more efficient and business-friendly regulatory environment."

UKAS International Director, Rob Bettinson, highlighted the importance of accreditation and trade facilitation:

"I am delighted to be in Nairobi, representing UKAS in this UK-Kenya workshop to support improvements in regulatory practice. The global recognition of accredited conformity assessment enables a test or certification to be used in multiple markets, reducing costly trade barriers for businesses. By working together to share global good practices on effective quality infrastructures of standards and accreditation, and proportionate and sound regulation, we can promote trade and economic growth in both our countries."

Daniel Mansfield, Head of Policy Engagement at the British Standards Institute (BSI), noted the significance of international standards:

"We’re delighted to be a part of this event and to share our expertise around international standards and their role in policymaking. Raising awareness and understanding of the value that comes from the use of standards and quality infrastructure to inform policy can bring huge benefits, including enhancing business environments, boosting trade, and accelerating economic growth. We look forward to continued collaboration through our Standards Partnership and Commonwealth Standards Network programmes."

Challenges in the Kenyan Business Landscape

British businesses operating in Kenya have reported regulatory challenges, including:

• Complex import procedures
• A burdensome tax regime
• Local ownership requirements in some service sectors, such as insurance
• High electricity costs and frequent power outages

Similarly, Kenyan businesses face hurdles such as:

• A constantly changing regulatory landscape
• Difficulties in keeping up with compliance requirements
• The need for frequent accreditation updates, training, and assessments

A Step Towards Long-Term Economic Growth

This workshop is another example of the UK’s commitment to being a long-term economic partner for Kenya. It supports ongoing business environment reforms under the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, which ensures duty-free access to the UK market for Kenyan businesses.

By fostering a stronger regulatory environment, this initiative is expected to pave the way for increased foreign investment, business growth, and enhanced trade relations between Kenya, the UK, and the wider African region.