The DP said the two countries have enjoyed stronger relations since Kenya gained independence in 1963 but the trade deficit has remained wide. He pushed for exploitation of new business frontiers to close the gap.

“Our shared objective is to expand Kenya’s exports to the Chinese market, particularly value added agricultural products, scale up the value chain, increase manufacturing cooperation and strive to move towards a more balanced trade between our two economies,” DP said. 

The Deputy President spoke on Monday when he addressed the High-Level Kenya-China Business Forum in Nairobi also attended by China Vice President Han Zheng.   

Prof. Kindiki said targeted interventions in agriculture have increased production in the key sub sectors such as coffee, tea, avocados, macadamia and others calling for more focus on these areas to improve exports to the Asian country.   

“Kenya has the best coffee in the world, the best tea in the world. Kenya is the largest producer of avocados in Africa and second largest producer of macadamia in the continent. 

I would like to request our Chinese friends to consider increasing their imports of coffee, tea, avocados, nuts, fish and fish products among others,” DP stated.

Kenya’s exports to China stands at USD 0.21 billion and imports from China at USD 4.32 billion creating a trade deficit of around USD 4 billion.

In a bid to address this, President Ruto and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development in April 2025 that will see Kenyan products get access to the huge Chinese market at zero-tariff from May 1, 2026.

The DP challenged the private sector to take advantage of the zero-tariff agreement saying access to the 1.4 billion people Chinese has been made easier and more valuable.

“We are looking forward to exploiting to the maximum the gesture of the zero-tariff opportunity to take our tariffs to Kenya,” DP noted.

Later, the Deputy President together with the Vice President flagged-off the first consignment of exports to China set to benefit from the zero-tariff agreement at the Nairobi Railway Terminus.

Prof. Kindiki said the first cargo symbolized the growing economic cooperation between Kenya and China and the expanding opportunities for Kenyan exporters.

“We look forward to seeing many more Kenyan products reaching Chinese consumers in the years ahead, and advancing our shared priorities in trade, investment, and sustainable development,” he said.

The initial consignment comprised of 54 containers carrying avocados, avocado oil, hides and skins, coffee beans, dry grains, pet pellets and recycling materials.

Additionally, the Deputy President appreciated China’s contribution to the growth of the country’s infrastructure noting the advancement in the Kenyan railway sector which has been achieved through the Asian nation’s support.

“The Cooperation between Kenya and China under the Belt and Road Initiative has contributed significantly to improving logistics and transport networks, including the development of the Standard Gauge Railway, which has strengthened the movement of goods between production centers, the port of Mombasa, and global markets,” he emphasized. The SGR is set to be extended to Kisumu and Malaba in the coming days through a similar initiative.