KENYA AND BRAZIL DEEPEN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AT HIGH LEVEL INVESTMENT FORUM

KENYA AND BRAZIL DEEPEN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AT HIGH LEVEL INVESTMENT FORUM

Kenya and Brazil have taken significant steps toward strengthening their bilateral economic ties, as senior government officials, investment agencies, and business leaders from both countries convened at the Kenya–Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum. The event underscored a shared commitment to expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation within a balanced, mutually beneficial framework.

The Kenyan delegation was led by John Mwendwa, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Kenya, The delegation engaged with over 26 Brazilian and 40 Kenyan private sector companies, presenting Kenya as a stable, reform-oriented investment destination with preferential access to regional and continental markets through the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

"The discussions today clearly demonstrate Kenya’s readiness to translate investor interest into concrete, bankable projects," said Mwendwa. "Invest Kenya remains committed to supporting investors at every stage, ensuring a seamless, transparent, and predictable investment process."

High-level participation from both governments signalled strong political and institutional support for the partnership. Among those attended were Jorge Viana, President of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil); Daniella Araujo, Chargé d’Affaires at the Brazilian Embassy in Nairobi; Ambassador Alex Giacomelli, Director of the Department of Trade Promotion, Investment and Agriculture at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Floice Mukabana, CEO of the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA). The forum also positioned the upcoming Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) 2026 as a key platform for translating dialogue into tangible investment outcomes, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology.

"This forum is a concrete step toward expanding bilateral trade, attracting quality investments, and creating employment opportunities for Kenyans," Mwendwa added. "Our priority is to foster partnerships that deliver shared value and sustainable growth for both countries."

The forum highlighted opportunities for South–South cooperation in addressing global food security challenges. According to the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, more than 295 million people across 53 countries faced crisis-level hunger in 2024, driven largely by climate-related disasters and economic instability. Discussions emphasized digital agriculture technologies, inclusive finance, and youth- and women-focused food systems as key areas for collaboration.

Kenya recognized Brazil as a strategic trade partner, citing its leadership in agribusiness, manufacturing, energy, health, and technology. Brazil has contributed to Kenya’s agricultural revitalization through initiatives such as the Cotton Victoria Project, which aims to enhance cotton production and farming practices across East Africa. Over the past decade, Kenyan exports to Brazil including fish, coffee, and tea have grown steadily, while Brazilian investments have supported industrial and agricultural development.

Despite Brazil’s strong global trade position, with exports totaling USD 337 billion in 2024, bilateral trade remains modest. Kenya exported approximately USD 1.2 million to Brazil in 2024, compared with imports of USD 168.3 million. Cynthia Nyawira, Director of Nairobi at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), described the imbalance as indicative of untapped potential rather than structural constraints.

"This trade profile highlights opportunities to diversify exports, deepen cooperation, and build joint value chains," said Nyawira. "Our goal is a balanced partnership that delivers tangible benefits to our economies and citizens."

Institutional collaboration was a key focus of the forum. KEPROBA and Apex Brassil reaffirmed their intention to formalize cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding to promote two-way trade, share market intelligence, and support companies integrating into global value chains. While internal approvals delayed the formal signing, both agencies expressed confidence in concluding the agreement shortly.

Jorge Viana, President of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) highlighted priority sectors for growth, including tea, textiles and apparel, fish, agro-processing, renewable energy, and emerging green technologies. "Kenya’s comparative strengths align with Brazilian industrial capacities and market demand," he noted.

Participants emphasized the importance of policy coordination, private-sector engagement, and technology transfer in unlocking sustainable growth. Agriculture emerged as a natural pillar for partnership, with opportunities spanning livestock, poultry, dairy, and food processing. Officials noted that joint initiatives could enhance productivity, strengthen food security, and support regional and global export expansion.

As the forum concluded, Kenyan and Brazilian officials expressed optimism that sustained engagement, strengthened institutional linkages, and active private-sector participation would translate into measurable outcomes, including increased trade flows, investment, and employment. With complementary strengths, growing trade volumes, and shared development priorities, Kenya and Brazil are laying the foundation for a forward-looking partnership anchored in South–South cooperation and focused on long-term economic transformation.

"This forum demonstrates that our engagement is not just about trade and investment; it is about building a strategic, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnership for the future," Viana added.