03/08/2026
Kenya Targets German Market Through New Export Readiness Programme
Twenty-two Kenyan export-ready companies have embarked on a journey to unlock new business opportunities in Germany through the Partnering in Business with Germany Programme, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening trade ties between the two countries while enhancing the global competitiveness of Kenyan enterprises.
The two-day introductory workshop, held at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, brings together exporters from sectors including tea, fresh produce, herbs and spices, horticulture, agro-processing, and crafts. The programme is implemented on behalf of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy through GIZ and delivered by AHP International in partnership with the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA).
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, KEPROBA Chief Executive Officer Ms. Floice Mukabana said the programme seeks to equip Kenyan exporters with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence required to establish lasting and mutually beneficial trade partnerships with German companies.
Ms. Mukabana noted that the participating businesses had earned their places through a rigorous selection process, reflecting Kenya's growing pool of export-ready enterprises.
Following a nationwide call for applications, KEPROBA and GIZ received 102 applications from exporters across the country. Forty companies were shortlisted before a series of virtual interviews and field verification visits culminated in the selection of 22 businesses that demonstrated the capacity and readiness to compete in international markets. She observed that the selected companies represent some of the best of Kenya's export community and are well positioned to expand their presence in international markets.
The programme comes at a time when trade relations between Kenya and Germany continue to strengthen. Kenya's exports to Germany reached USD 164.8 million in 2025, representing a 16 percent increase over the previous year. Coffee, cut flowers, avocados, mangoes, and other fresh produce continue to dominate exports, while value-added products are steadily gaining ground.
Despite this positive trajectory, Ms. Mukabana noted that Germany remains one of Kenya's most important trading partners in Europe and that the current export figures represent only a fraction of the country's true potential. She emphasized that there is considerable opportunity to deepen bilateral trade, diversify Kenya's export basket, and increase value addition, objectives that the programme is designed to help exporters achieve.
