The 10th Session of the India–Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held on 27–28 April 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya focusing on strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Kenya. The meeting served as an important platform to review trade performance and explore new avenues for collaboration.
Key Highlights
- Trade Growth: Bilateral trade reached USD 4.31 billion in 2025–26, registering a 24.91% increase from USD 3.45 billion in 2024–25, with India emerging as a key trading partner of Kenya.
- Sectoral Cooperation: Discussions focused on diversifying trade and addressing market access barriers in sectors such as: Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, Engineering goods, Agriculture
- MoUs Signed:
- Agreement between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
- MoU between Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Kenya Revenue Authority.
- Local Currency Trade: Both sides explored the possibility of trade settlement in local currencies, aiming to reduce dependency on global reserve currencies.
- Future Commitments: The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to a balanced, diversified, and forward-looking economic partnership, with emphasis on strengthening institutional mechanisms, resolving pending issues, and promoting business-to-business engagement.
About Kenya
Kenya is a unitary multiparty republic in East Africa and serves as a key gateway for trade into the African continent, with an economy driven by agriculture, tourism, and services.
Location and Geography
- Situated in East Africa, intersected by the Equator and longitude 38°E
- Capital: Nairobi
- Bordered by:
- North: South Sudan and Ethiopia
- East: Somalia and the Indian Ocean
- South: Tanzania
- West: Uganda and Lake Victoria
Key Geographical Features
- Great Rift Valley: A major geological formation dividing the highlands, featuring lakes like Lake Naivasha and Lake Turkana
- Mountains: Includes Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon
- Lake Victoria Basin: Hosts Africa’s largest lake, crucial for the Nile system
- Coastal Plain: Along the Indian Ocean with key ports like Mombasa
- Highlands: Fertile regions known for tea cultivation and biodiversity
- Arid Regions: Includes semi-desert landscapes such as the Chalbi Desert
- Drainage System: Major rivers like Tana and Galana flow eastward, while western rivers drain into Lake Victoria