Doing Business in Kenya Road Show

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) hosted the “Doing Business in Kenya Road Show” in partnership with the Government of Kenya (GOK), Ministry of East African Community & Regional Development through the Department of Business Reforms & Transformation division. The Roundtable served as an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities in doing business in Kenya and featured Hon. Adan Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Community and Regional Development.The Government of Kenya delegation also included Dr. Kevit Desai, Principal Secretary for the State Department of East African Community, Mr. John Mwendwa, Head of the Department of Business Reforms & Transformation, and Ms. Anne Mutahi, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Advisor for the Office of the President.CS Mohamed delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the need to look beyond a single country focus to that of Kenya’s role in the East African region. Current ongoing efforts to improve the competitiveness of the region cited by Mohamed included the improvement of connectivity throughout the region through roads and railroads. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, CS Mohamed pointed out that the ongoing free flow of goods reflects the success of border customs and demonstrates Kenya’s trade success.During the dialogue, CS Mohamed discussedthe ways in which cooperation can be enhanced across the region in terms of trade structure and regulation. He is confident in the future smoothness of integration as regional “leadership continues to take interest in [trade growth], they see value of increasing inter-African trade”. He emphasized the increasing role of businesses working in multiple countries in assisting governments to create cross-country standards in terms of trade.Ambassador Lazarus Amayo also spoke of the creation of standards of engagement through trade agreements such as the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The implementation of the FTA between the United States and Kenya has further enhanced the ongoing partnerships between the two countries. He stressed Kenya’s obligations to the African community and the ability to honor both the commitments to the AfCFTA and the FTA in a manner that is beneficial to all parties.The dialogue featured members from CCA and the Africa development community. Attendees included Citi, CCA Board Member James Winkler of Creative Associates International, Dennis Petrosky of Axxess, CCA Board Member Witney Schneidman of Covington & Burling LLP, Johnson & Johnson, CCA Chairman Jeff Sturchio of Rabin Martin, Development Finance International, Prosper Africa, and more.Topics addressed in the question-and-answer section included development of ecommerce strategy, creation of cross-country product standards across the region, the growth of SMEs, and more.Advisor Mutahi stressed the need to work to ensure SMEs are able to flourish through sustainable partnerships. The creation of local business centers has proven fruitful for the creation of more enduring partnerships for SMEs.Florie Liser, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing Kenya’s economic progress and improved connectivity in the region. She expressed CCA’s continued mandate to support the economic development of Kenya and other African nations by continuing to provide a platform for discussions on U.S.- Africa collaboration for economic growth.