President Ruto urges Japan to ease trade barriers on Kenyan exports, calls for fairer trade     

President William Ruto has urged Japan to ease trade barriers on Kenyan agricultural products and also address tariff and non-tariff barriers that continue to limit market access for Kenyan goods such as tea, avocados, and flowers.

Speaking during high-level engagements in Yokohama ahead of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Ruto said the current trade imbalance between the two nations was unsustainable.

While bilateral trade grew by 33 percent in 2024, Kenya’s exports to Japan remain record low.

“Our trade relationship spans six decades, but it’s still heavily tilted in favour of Japan by 1 billion USD versus $70 million,” Ruto said. “We must unlock access for Kenyan produce by removing the barriers that hold back our farmers and exporters.”

In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Ruto pressed for reforms that would allow Kenyan goods to compete fairly in Japanese markets.

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Ishiba pledged to review the concerns and initiate a study on the non-tariff barriers as flagged by Kenya.

The President also spotlighted Kenya’s growing interest in e-mobility, citing ongoing discussions with Toyota Corporation to expand the country’s electric vehicle sector. He said Kenya was keen to tap into Japan’s expertise in clean energy and automotive innovation.

While addressing the Yokohama City Assembly, Ruto praised the city’s transformation into a smart urban hub, saying its experience offered valuable lessons for African cities grappling with rapid urbanisation. He was joined by Yokohama City Council President Shibuya Takeshi and Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka.

At the Kenya Investment Forum held in Yokohama, Ruto highlighted Japan’s role as Kenya’s third-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment, contributing over $205 million (approximately KSh26 billion) in 2024 alone. He noted that 123 Japanese companies currently operate in Kenya, spanning sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology.

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“These investments are visible in transformative projects like the Mombasa Port, Olkaria Geothermal Plant, and our growing automotive assembly sector,” Ruto said.

He invited Japanese investors to attend the 4th Kenya International Investment Conference scheduled for March 2026 in Nairobi, calling for deeper collaboration in trade, investment, and sustainable development.

Ruto further urged Japan’s private sector to take advantage of Kenya’s young, educated, and skilled workforce, positioning the country as a gateway to regional markets and a partner in innovation.

By Masaki Enock

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