Kenya has appointed a team of Cabinet Secretaries to lead its representation on the newly established Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council with the European Union, a key step in operationalizing a trade deal that offers the country long-term duty- and quota-free market access to 27 member states.
- •The appointments, published in the Kenya Gazette on April 11, designate the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry as Co-Chairperson of the Council.
- •Additional members include top officials from the Ministries of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, National Treasury, Agriculture, and Environment and Forestry.
- •The EPA was signed in December 2023, endorsed by the European Council in May 2024, and backed by the European Parliament in February 2024. Kenya ratified the agreement in April 2024.
The Council forms the apex organ of the Kenya–EU EPA, which Kenya ratified independently after regional negotiations under the East African Community stalled.
It will oversee the implementation of the agreement, monitor trade flows, and manage any disputes arising between the parties. It will also supervise the execution of sustainable development provisions, including commitments on climate action, labor protections, and environmental standards.
Under the EPA, Kenya can shield emerging domestic industries while liberalizing various imports from the EU. The framework aims to support Kenya’s integration into global value chains, boost industrialization, and attract European investment across sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
While the agreement is viewed as a diplomatic and economic milestone, its execution places new demands on Kenya’s regulatory and institutional frameworks. The newly formed Council is expected to play a central role in navigating these complexities and ensuring the country’s interests are well protected.
The first session of the EPA Council is expected to convene between the 12th and 13th May this year at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi.
