President Ruto assures of Kenya's commitment to implementing pro-trade policies

President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya's dedication to strengthening its trade relationships with international partners during his address at the Kenya European Union Business Forum.

He emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to enacting trade-friendly policies that promote inclusive wealth creation and open up new opportunities.

President Ruto stated, "Our aim is to create a competitive and resilient economy that serves all Kenyans, while fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with allies such as the EU."

During the "Digitising Trade" forum, the Head of State emphasized that Kenya is strengthening its digital economy through initiatives such as the last-mile fibre connectivity programme.

President Ruto highlighted the progress made through the expanded e-Citizen platform, which has successfully digitized over 20,000 government services.

This transformation has streamlined interactions, making it quicker, more affordable, and simpler for businesses to engage with the government.

He also pointed to the establishment of digital hubs in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions as a significant achievement.

Through the Finance Bill 2025, the President emphasized Kenya's intention to lower taxes on digital asset transfers, a policy aimed at creating a more business-friendly environment.

"This is a clear signal of our dedication to fostering an economy driven by innovation, one that supports start-ups, MSMEs, and investors," Ruto stated.

Additionally, the President called for creative strategies to unlock the potential of Kenya-EU trade, while addressing both current and emerging obstacles.

"We must transform good intentions into concrete actions that deliver real benefits to our businesses, investors, and citizens."

He described the European Union as a key partner in advancing development cooperation across critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, water and sanitation, urban development, agriculture, and more.