Kenya, China seal early trade deal as zero-tariff plan takes effect

Kenya and China have reached an Early Harvest Arrangement under the proposed China–Africa Development Economic Partnership Agreement (CADEPA), marking an initial step toward a broader bilateral trade pact.

The interim deal comes ahead of China’s decision to grant zero-tariff treatment to exports from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing, effective May 1, 2026. Kenya is among the beneficiaries.

Officials say the Early Harvest Arrangement aligns with China’s zero-tariff framework and applies to the same product lines covered under the new policy. 

The arrangement is expected to remain in place even as the wider continental zero-tariff measure takes effect.

The two governments are expected to formally sign the deal in the coming months.

The Early Harvest deal is intended to lay the groundwork for CADEPA, which negotiators describe as equivalent to a full Free Trade Agreement (FTA) once concluded.

For Kenya, expanded duty-free access could benefit exports such as tea, coffee, horticultural produce and selected manufactured goods. 

China is already one of Kenya’s largest trading partners, though trade has historically been heavily skewed in Beijing’s favour.

If finalised, CADEPA would move Kenya–China trade relations beyond unilateral preferences toward a structured bilateral framework with defined obligations on both sides.

Analysts say the key questions will be the scope of product coverage, safeguards for local industries and how quickly Kenyan exporters can meet Chinese market standards to take advantage of the new terms.