EU Kenya Business Forum 2025: Digitilising Trade
The curtains closed on 13th May in Nairobi, following two days of intense meetings, business to business consultations and the presence of high level participants. The Business Forum welcomed more than 700 businesses with representation from delegates from Kenya, other East Africa countries and Europe.
European Union 2025
Finland's President Alexander Stubb delivers his address during the Europe Day Celebration
The forum was opened by the President of Kenya, H.E Dr William Samoiei Ruto, together with Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, H.E. Hon. Lee Kinyanjui and with Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Digital Economy, H.E. Hon.William Kabogo in attendance. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb was the Guest of Honour at the Europe Day Celebration and gave a befitting speech on the European project in a time of shifting geopolitical winds.
At the Europe Day celebration, Belgian Artiste Jef Neve played the European anthem Ode to Joy, courtesy of the Belgian Embassy in Kenya. Kenyan musicians, part of the Ghetto Classics group, played the Kenyan national anthem.
European Union 2025
European Union Ambassador to Kenya delivers her speech during the Europe Day celebration.
Read the press release and watch a replay of the opening ceremony
Watch the Speeches from the Europe Day Celebration in Kenya
Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the 'Schuman Declaration', a historic proposal made by Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, in 1950 that laid out the foundation of European cooperation. Schuman's proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.
In 2025, Europe Day is a special occasion as we are celebrating 75 years since the Schuman declaration.
In Kenya, we are celebrating this day on the sidelines of the EU-Kenya Business Forum.
Key highlights included the first meeting of the Council for the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The EPA Council restated the importance of the bilateral trade relations between the EU and Kenya. The Council also agreed that, in a time of geopolitical uncertainty and volatility in the international trading system, the EPA provides predictability and reliability to traders and investors as it represents a shared commitment to rules-based trade. This is crucial for creating opportunities to enhance bilateral trade in goods, diversify exports boost investment flows, and strengthen economic relations between Kenya and the EU.
There was also a launch of the European Chamber of Commerce, EuroCharm, an umbrella body bringing together business chambers from EU Member States, and which will further institutionalise the EU-Kenya trade relationship and provide a platform for dialogue and business facilitation.
European Union 2025
We thank all our partners and collaborators for enabling this successful event.