**Executive Summary**
The 10th India–Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting was held on April 27–28, 2026, in Nairobi to review and enhance bilateral trade, which grew to USD 4.31 billion in 2025–26. Co-chaired by senior trade officials from both nations, the session focused on trade diversification, market access, and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) regarding customs information exchange and standardization. Key action items include promoting local currency settlements and collaboration in digital public infrastructure, infrastructure development, and renewable energy.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Trade Performance and Strategic Focus**
* Bilateral trade increased by 24.91%, rising from USD 3.45 billion in 2024–25 to USD 4.31 billion in 2025–26.
* The committee aimed to diversify trade beyond traditional sectors, targeting engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and electronics.
* Efforts are being made to address market access issues and sanitary/phytosanitary barriers in agricultural trade.
**Trade Facilitation and Institutional Agreements**
* **Customs Cooperation:** An MoU was signed between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for pre-arrival customs information exchange.
* **Standardization:** The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) are cooperating on standardization and conformity assessments.
* **Business Collaboration:** An MoU was established between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the India Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry to foster industry-level investment.
**Financial and Digital Infrastructure**
* **Currency Settlement:** Both sides discussed adopting a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) mechanism; Kenyan banks have already opened Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) with Indian banks.
* **Digital Payments:** Discussions focused on implementing UPI-like payment systems, Bharat Connect, and other digital platforms to improve financial inclusion.
**Sectoral Collaboration and Infrastructure**
* **Infrastructure:** India offered support for Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway through feasibility studies, project management, and the supply of rolling stock.
* **Manufacturing and Energy:** Opportunities were identified in shipbuilding, automobiles, and construction equipment. India expressed readiness to support Kenyan solar and wind projects.
* **Pharmaceuticals:** India highlighted its capacity to supply affordable generic medicines and medical devices.
**Capacity Building and Education**
* India offered training via the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in sectors like mining, healthcare, and education.
* Commitment to student mobility was reaffirmed through the "Study in India" programme and collaborative digital learning platforms.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government and Regulatory Authorities (CBIC, BIS, KRA, KEBS)**
**Impact**
Streamlined administrative procedures through the exchange of pre-arrival customs data and harmonized standards.
**Action Required**
Implement the technical frameworks for information exchange and finalize the signing of the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement.
**Banking and Financial Institutions**
**Impact**
New opportunities for facilitating smoother bilateral transactions through local currency settlement frameworks and digital payment integrations.
**Action Required**
Increase the utilization of Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) and collaborate on the technical rollout of UPI-like systems and Bharat Connect.
**Indian and Kenyan Businesses (Manufacturing, Engineering, Pharma)**
**Impact**
Expanded market access and institutional support for exports in automobiles, machinery, and generic medicines.
**Action Required**
Engage in business-to-business forums, participate in exhibitions like Autoexpo Kenya, and leverage new MoUs to resolve pending trade issues.
**Students and Professionals**
**Impact**
Enhanced access to international education, skill development, and specialized technical training.
**Action Required**
Utilize available training under the ITEC programme and explore mobility opportunities via the "Study in India" initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
10th India–Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC): The primary bilateral forum held to review and strengthen trade diversification, market access, and economic cooperation between India and Kenya.
Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs): A financial framework established by Kenyan and Indian banks to promote bilateral trade settlement in local currencies.
Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme: An Indian government initiative offered to Kenya for capacity building and training in sectors such as mining, healthcare, and education.
International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement: A multilateral treaty aimed at promoting solar energy which Kenya committed to signing during the bilateral discussions.
Local Currency Settlement (LCS) mechanism: A proposed framework discussed to facilitate smoother bilateral transactions and reduce reliance on third-party currencies.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
10th India–Kenya Joint Trade Committee Meeting
Held in Nairobi to Strengthen Bilateral Trade and
Economic Cooperation
India Emerges as Key Trading Partner for Kenya; Trade Grows
to USD 4.31 Billion
Posted On: 29 APR 2026 12:46PM by PIB Delhi
The 10th Session of the India–Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held on 27 – 28 April, 2026, in
Nairobi, Kenya, to review and strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two
countries. The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Shri Rajesh Agrawal, and Principal Secretary, State
Department for Trade, Republic of Kenya, Ms. Regina Akotah Ombam.
Both sides noted the steady growth in bilateral trade, with India emerging as one of Kenya’s key trading
partners. Total trade between India and Kenya stood at USD 4.31 billion in 2025–26, reflecting an
increase of 24.91 per cent from USD 3.45 billion in 2024–25. Discussions focused on enhancing trade
diversification, addressing market access issues and leveraging complementarities in sectors such as
engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and electronics.
The Committee reviewed progress on ongoing trade facilitation initiatives, including the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards
(KEBS) to promote cooperation in standardisation and conformity assessment. An MoU was also signed
between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Kenya Revenue Authority
(KRA) for exchange of pre-arrival customs information, with emphasis on streamlining customs
procedures and improving ease of doing business.
Another MoU was signed between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the India Kenya
Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote trade, investment and industry collaboration on the
sidelines of the JTC meeting.
Both sides acknowledged the potential for promoting trade settlement in local currencies. It was noted that
Kenyan banks have opened Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) with Indian banks, and greater
utilisation of this framework could facilitate smoother bilateral transactions. The possibility of adopting a
Local Currency Settlement (LCS) mechanism was also discussed.
Sectoral cooperation in emerging areas was deliberated. In engineering and manufacturing, opportunities
to expand exports of automobiles, machinery and construction equipment were highlighted, along with
participation in exhibitions such as Autoexpo Kenya and The Big 5 Construct Kenya. Collaboration in
infrastructure development, including railways, was discussed, with India offering support in feasibility
studies, project management and supply of rolling stock for Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway.
Opportunities for collaboration in shipbuilding with Indian shipyards were also explored.In pharmaceuticals, India highlighted its role as a supplier of affordable generic medicines and medical
devices and proposed enhanced business-to-business engagement. Both sides also discussed enhancing
trade in agricultural products while addressing sanitary and phytosanitary barriers.
In renewable energy, India expressed readiness to support Kenya’s clean energy initiatives, including solar
and wind projects. The Kenyan side informed that it has conveyed its decision to sign the International
Solar Alliance Framework Agreement and looks forward to signing it at the earliest. Discussions on digital
public infrastructure covered collaboration on UPI-like payment systems, Bharat Connect and digital
platforms to enhance financial inclusion.
Capacity building was identified as an important area of cooperation. India offered training programmes
under initiatives such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in sectors
including mining, earth sciences, healthcare and education. Collaboration in higher education, digital
learning platforms and skill development was also discussed, along with promotion of student mobility
under the “Study in India” programme.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a diversified, balanced and future-oriented economic
partnership and agreed to strengthen institutional mechanisms to facilitate trade, resolve pending issues
and promote business-to-business engagement.
On the sidelines of the JTC, an India–Kenya Joint Business Forum was held with participation of leading
Indian and Kenyan businesses, including representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). Commerce Secretary,
Government of India, Shri Rajesh Agrawal, and Principal Secretary for Trade, Republic of Kenya, Ms.
Regina Akotah Ombam, delivered keynote addresses and were joined by Chairman, KNCCI, and Chief
Executive Officer, InvestKenya. The forum provided a platform for industry leaders to engage on
expanding trade and investment linkages across sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture,
pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, digital technologies and services.
Additionally, on the sidelines of the meeting, the India–Kenya Chamber of Commerce organised an
interaction with the local Indian business community under the chairmanship of Commerce Secretary,
Department of Commerce, Government of India, Shri Rajesh Agrawal. The interaction was attended by
the local Indian business community and the accompanying CII business delegation and focused on
opportunities and experiences related to doing business in Kenya.***
Abhishek Dayal/Garima Singh/Anushka Pandey
(Release ID: 2256521) Visitor Counter : 542
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