The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) has stepped up preparations for the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) 2025, following a strategic meeting hosted in partnership with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kenya, the Kenya-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Hunan HaoTong Group.
The high-level engagement at Serena Hotel brought together exporters, trade associations, and key stakeholders from both countries to build momentum ahead of CAETE 2025, scheduled for June 12–15, 2025, in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
With China remaining a major market for Kenyan exports, the session focused on providing local businesses with market intelligence, trade insights, and strategies for positioning themselves to take full advantage of this year’s Expo.
“China remains a critical trade and investment partner for Kenya. In 2024, our exports to China stood at USD 196.8 million, while imports totaled USD 4.3 billion,” said Ms. Floice Mukabana, CEO of KEPROBA. “This persistent trade imbalance underlines the need to diversify and add value to our exports, especially in sectors like fresh produce, processed foods, leather, and textiles.”
Kenya’s key exports to China currently include titanium ores, macadamia nuts, avocados, fish, tea, coffee, and natural resins. However, the country is ranked 56th among China’s export markets and 127th as a source market, prompting a renewed push to expand its presence in the Asian economic giant.
KEPROBA is actively promoting export diversification and product adaptation, targeting provinces in China beyond the major cities. “We’re working to deepen engagement with high-demand regions like Hunan, Guangdong, and Sichuan, where there is growing interest in African-origin goods,” Ms. Mukabana added.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Guo Ning, Deputy Director General of the Commerce Department of Hunan Province, underscored the significance of the Expo:
“CAETE 2025 presents an ideal opportunity for Kenyan businesses to engage directly with Chinese distributors and gain market feedback.”
Miss Andrea Li, Deputy General Manager at HaoTong International Transportation Agent, noted that the Expo’s theme, “China and Africa: A Shared Future,” aligns with Kenya’s goals to boost its trade and investment agenda.
The Expo will showcase a wide array of African goods including specialty foods, agriculture products, handicrafts, tourism, and daily-use consumer items. It also provides a platform for B2B engagement and real-time market insights. To ensure Kenyan businesses are ready, KEPROBA will continue rolling out Export Readiness Programs, customized sessions on branding and packaging, compliance training, and business-to-business matchmaking opportunities, especially with Chinese importers.
Already, past virtual B2B forums have boosted exports of Kenyan horticultural products such as avocados, demonstrating the impact of direct market linkages.
As the countdown to CAETE 2025 begins, KEPROBA is calling on Kenyan exporters to seize this unique opportunity to grow their footprint in China and contribute to a more balanced and prosperous bilateral trade relationship.