Kenya sends delegation to China to negotiate for preferential trade deal
By Aloys Michael, September 30, 2025Kenya has put renewed focus on trade diplomacy with China as it marked the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) at a high-level meeting held in the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi.
In a statement on X on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also holds the Foreign Affairs docket, revealed that a high-level Kenyan delegation is currently in China negotiating preferential trade agreements.
Also Watch: Chinese manufacturers pushed to increase their imports from Kenya to China
The talks are anchored on President Xi Jinping’s newly launched zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, a framework expected to drastically lower export barriers and inject fresh momentum into Kenya’s export economy.
“Kenya is keen to take advantage of this historic opportunity. The zero-tariff policy offers predictability and expanded market access for Kenyan products. We are in active discussions to finalise favourable trade terms that will benefit key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and value-added exports,” the statement read in part.
Also Watch: “Kenya First”: Ruto Defends China Ties Amid U.S. Pressure
Mudavadi stated that the move signals a tactical shift in Kenya’s China engagement, from infrastructure-heavy cooperation to market-oriented diplomacy. He underscored that the time is ripe for Africa to move away from aid dependency and toward reciprocal trade-based development models.
“This is a moment for Africa to shift decisively from aid-based models to trade-driven development. We must leverage FOCAC platforms to advance our economic sovereignty and industrial transformation,” Mudavadi explained.
The Kenya-China deal
The meeting comes as President William Ruto is keen on harnessing trade deals, which he terms a key initiative to unlock Kenya’s potential, even as he faces backlash over misplaced priorities in mega projects, such as Affordable Housing.
The trade, Mudavadi said, builds on decades of bilateral cooperation under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a platform through which Kenya has secured key infrastructure developments, including the Nairobi–Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to expanding the SGR to Kisumu and Malaba, positioning it as a critical artery for regional trade.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, lauded the growing economic ties, describing the Kenya–China relationship as a “community with a shared future.” She emphasised that Ruto’s recent state visit to Beijing produced several new bilateral agreements poised to strengthen trade, tourism, and cultural ties.
“Kenya remains a vital strategic partner for China in Africa. This partnership is maturing into a model for Sino-African cooperation in the 21st century,” Guo said.