Kenya Feted in Ethiopia

On August 29, 2024, Ambassador George M. Orina, Ambassador/Permanent Representative, was honoured to receive an award on behalf of the Republic of Kenya from Hon. Temesgen Tiruneh, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. 

Kenya was feted for being the continent's leading trade partner in pulses with Ethiopia. This unique gesture serves as a testament to the amicable relationship between Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as a distinct indication of the expanding trade flows between the two nations. It is anticipated that bilateral trade will experience an even greater expansion within the AfCFTA framework. 

According to data from the Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya’s Embassy in Ethiopia, Kenya’s exports to Ethiopia have depicted an upward trend from Ksh 7.1 billion in 2019 to Kshs. 15.8 billion in 2023. The peak import value stood at Kshs. 6.7 billion in 2023. Between 2019 and 2023, Kenya’s exports to Ethiopia averaged at Kshs 12.3 billion while her imports averaged at Kshs 2.7 billion. 

Kenya’s imports from Ethiopia were valued at Ksh. 6.7 billion in 2023 with the main import products from Ethiopia in 2023 being electrical energy (Ksh 4.9 billion) accounting for 78%, while dried leguminous vegetables accounted for 8% of total imports from Ethiopia. Kenya was ranked 15th importer of Ethiopia’s products at 2.3% of the share of her imports. 

Kenya signed the Special Status Agreement signed in November 2012 which sought to enhance bilateral economic engagement. While the two countries share a border and an operational one Stop Border Post in Moyale, the business community from both sides are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities, and more importantly the AfCFTA framework to enhance trade and the movement of people, goods and services.