UK and Kenya Launch Three-Day Workshop to Strengthen Business Regulations
Nairobi, The Gulf Observer: The United Kingdom and Kenya have commenced a three-day workshop aimed at enhancing business regulations in Kenya. The event, which began on Tuesday in Nairobi, seeks to address regulatory challenges faced by both local enterprises and foreign investors looking to establish themselves in the country.
The workshop is designed to equip Kenyan officials with the necessary tools to improve regulatory frameworks by adopting best practices from the UK. Enhanced regulatory efficiency is expected to bolster intra-African trade by facilitating compliance with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), thereby creating a more conducive business environment.
Speaking at the opening session, Richlove Mensah, Director of Trade and Investment, Kenya & Regional Director of East Africa, emphasized the urgency of regulatory reforms. “Whilst no business environment will ever be perfect, Kenya must seize its economic potential and introduce rapid reforms to regulation that will unlock jobs and economic growth—ultimately putting more shillings in the pockets of the people,” he stated.
The Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing good regulatory practices that drive economic growth, facilitate trade, and safeguard consumer interests.
Rob Bettinson, International Director at the UK Accreditation Service, highlighted the significance of globally recognized accreditation and regulatory practices. “The global recognition of accredited conformity assessment enables a test or certification to be used in multiple markets, reducing costly trade barriers for businesses,” Bettinson remarked. “By working together to share global good practice on effective quality infrastructures of standards and accreditation and proportionate and sound regulation, we can create a more favorable business landscape.”
According to the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), businesses in Kenya often face challenges due to a complex and frequently changing regulatory landscape, making compliance a daunting task. The workshop represents yet another example of the UK’s long-term partnership in fostering economic growth and supporting regulatory reforms, as outlined in the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to enhancing Kenya’s business environment, promoting investor confidence, and fostering sustainable economic development.
