Low financing slowing Kenya s international trade – report by MARTIN MWITA Image: GEORGE OWITI
•Kenya barely serves 23% of the potential under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which expires in 2025.
•Experts call for SMEs support including a revolving fund.
Local banks failure to fully embrace trade financing is hindering growth of Kenya, regional exports to international markets, experts now say.
This comes even as the country continues to push for trade deals, among them the recently concluded Economic Partnership Agreement(EPA) with the UK, and the ongoing talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
While the country is seeking to grow its exports to the United States, it barely serves 23 per cent of the potential under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which expires in 2025, which eliminates import tariffs on goods from eligible African nations.