Kenya is positioning herself to capture a greater share of the USD 8.75 trillion global digital trade market, Investment, Trade and Industry cabinet secretary Lee Kinyanjui says.
This is through creating an enabling environment for more Kenyan businesses to reach regional and international customers.
During a high-level workshop on Advancing Digital Trade in Kenya, the CS emphasized that a small Kenyan manufacturer, farmer, creative, service provider or technology entrepreneur does not need to become a large company before accessing global markets.
“Our priority is to simplify trade procedures, improve access to market information, promote secure digital payments and strengthen logistics,” he told the workshop adding that digital transaction records can also help viable MSMEs demonstrate their performance and access financing suited to their needs.
As Kenyans pursue the opportunities presented by the 1.4 billion-people Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, the government will continue investing in digital infrastructure and skills while strengthening cybersecurity, data protection and consumer confidence.
KRA Chairman Ndiritu Muriithi said Kenya’s trade future will increasingly depend on how effectively we harness digital technology, trade finance and efficient supply chains to reduce the cost of doing business, expand access to markets and unlock opportunities for our enterprises.
Digitalisation must not remain a conversation for large corporations alone. MSMEs, farmers, manufacturers, exporters and young entrepreneurs must be at the centre of Kenya’s digital trade agenda.
“We must build systems that make it easier, faster and more affordable to produce, trade and compete—locally, regionally and globally,” Mr Muriithi said.
A productive Kenya must also be a digitally connected Kenya.
The forum was convened by convened by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in partnership with the ICC Digital Standards Initiative.
