Doing Business in Kenya- Fact Sheet
(United Kingdom Perspective)

Author: William Ang'awa, Kenya.org.uk 2002

Kenya once had a GDP growth rate equivalent to Singapore and South Korea in the early sixties. However, even though the Kenyan economy continues to experience some turbulence, it offers inward investors greater stability than many other African and other developing countries. Privatisation in Africa has become increasingly important. The United Nations Investment Report identifies Kenya has one of the countries where Foreign Direct Invest (FDI) opportunities have been created (UN Investment Report 1998 pl7O). A good example of this was the sale of 26 % of Kenya Airways www.kenya-airways.com shares to Dutch national carrier KLM www.klm.com for approximately $137 million (the second highest African privatisation sales to foreign investors Africa in 1996 after the $ 186 Ghanaian Ashanti Goldfields share issue).

The UK remains Kenya's largest trading partner and investor in the country. Kenya is currently the UK's 56 th export market and the UK had a 23.2% share of all OECD www.oecd.org exports to Kenya in 1999.

There are a number of organisations you should contact if you wish to develop business links with Kenya or East Africa. Their websites have a useful information, contacts and statistics. Tip - do make informal contacts with the commercial attaché Kenya High Commission www.kenyahighcommission.com in London and the British High Commission in Nairobi www.britain.or.ke.

Trade Partners UK,
East African Unit,
401 Kinsgate House,
66 - 74 Victoria Street,
London,
SWIE 6SW

Official website Kenya link: www.tradepartners.gov.uk/kenya
Official website: www.tradepartners.gov.uk

Trade Partners UK works alongside Invest UK within British Trade International whose role is to foster business competitiveness by helping UK firms secure overseas sales and investments, and by attracting high quality foreign direct investment.

UK based companies should also contact their local Business links www.businessadviceonline.org or the Small Business Service www.sbs.gov.uk in your region.

The Eastern Africa Association
Official website: www.eaa-lon.co.uk

The Association was established in 1964 and now has membership of some 170 companies from a number of countries representing banking, insurance, manufacturing, trading, mining and agriculture, transport and shipping, publishing, the petroleum industry and other professions. The Association is a useful gateway for companies wanting to conduct successful business in Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. If you would like further details or to join please write to or email:

United Kingdom contact:

Mr J C Small, Chief Executive,
The Eastern Africa Association
2 Vincent Street,
London,
SW1P 4LD

Tel: 020 7828 5511 Fax: 020 7828 5251
Email: jcsmall@eaa-lon.co.uk

The Eastern Africa Association - Kenya

Nairobi Contact Address:

Room 324,
Jubilee Insurance House
Wabera Street,
P.O. Box 41272,
Nairobi,
Kenya,
East Africa

Tel and Fax: 00 254 (2) 218317
Resident Representative: Mr. J.R.T. Sawers
Email: sawers@africaonline.co.ke