The inaugural UK-Kenya Business Forum was held in Nairobi on Thursday, January 22, 2026, bringing together more than 180 businesses and senior government officials from both countries. The landmark event, convened by the British High Commission Nairobi and the British Chamber of Commerce Kenya (BCCK), underscored the growing economic ties between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
Unlocking New Investment Opportunities
The forum focused on unlocking new investment opportunities, accelerating green growth, and advancing reforms to improve Kenya’s business environment. Key discussions centred on growth sectors such as:
- Digital trade and services
- Green manufacturing
- Expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Support for women and youth-led businesses
The event also featured business exhibitions, B2B matchmaking sessions, and expert-led panel discussions, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Strengthening Bilateral Trade
The meeting comes as trade between Kenya and the UK surpassed £2 billion (approximately Ksh.350 billion) for the first time. Under the renewed Kenya–UK Strategic Partnership signed in July 2025, both countries committed to doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
Speaking at the forum, Acting British High Commissioner to Kenya Dr Ed Barnett emphasized the need for reforms to unlock the partnership’s full potential:
“Kenya and the UK are running together in a modern partnership rooted in innovation. But to go further and faster, we must tackle high costs, regulatory uncertainty and corruption, which continue to constrain investment and job creation.”
Employment and People-to-People Links
BCCK Chair Sonal Tejpar highlighted the strong trade and people-to-people links between the two countries, noting that British companies operating in Kenya employ more than 250,000 people. She said this provides a solid foundation for future growth and deeper collaboration.
New Partnerships Announced
The forum also saw the unveiling of three new Kenya–UK partnerships aimed at boosting skills, innovation, and clean growth:
- Forth Valley College (Scotland) signed a memorandum of understanding with Kenya’s National Industrial Training Authority to collaborate on skills development and training.
- UK water treatment firm Scotmas partnered with Elgon Kenya to expand safer crop-protection solutions across East Africa.
- The UK launched the Climate Finance Accelerator Kenya to support investment-ready low-carbon projects.
Conclusion
The UK-Kenya Business Forum marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties, with a clear focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. As both nations work towards doubling trade by 2030, the partnerships announced at the forum are expected to drive progress in skills development, green manufacturing, and climate-friendly investment.
