Kenya: Kenya and the European Union have signed a trade deal in a coup for Brussels as it seeks deeper economic ties with Africa in the face of competition from China.

Kenyan President Mr. William Ruto presided over a ceremony in Nairobi to mark the formal conclusion of negotiations for the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.

Once ratified and entered into force, Kenya will be granted tariff-free and quota-free access to the European Union, its largest market, to which it currently exports approximately 20 percent of its total exports.

Imports from the EU to Kenya, such as chemicals and machinery, will receive progressive tariff reductions over a period of 25 years, but some sensitive products will be excluded.

“Today is a very proud moment for Kenya, and I believe it is a very proud moment for the European Union,” Kenyan Trade Minister Ms. Moses Kuria said after signing the accord with EU Trade Commissioner Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis.

Kenya’s main exports to the EU are agricultural products, including vegetables, fruits, and the country’s famous tea and coffee. More than 70 percent of Kenya’s cut flowers are destined for Europe.

Mr. Ruto, who said the EU was “the second most important development partner for Kenya after the World Bank,” noted that the country’s farmers could be “assured of a predictable market,” and the agreement provides new opportunities to boost this trade.

Mr. Dombrovskis said EU companies had invested $1.1 billion in Kenya in the past decade but that there was “a strong appetite” to do more business.

“With this deal in place, we have the right platform to do so,” the Trade Commissioner added.

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