KNCCI Signs Historic MOU with South Carolina African American Chamber of Commerce to Strengthen Trade, Investment, and Business Collaboration

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South Carolina African American Chamber of Commerce (SCAACC), establishing a strategic partnership to expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Kenya and the United States. This groundbreaking agreement represents a significant milestone in Kenya-US business relations and opens new avenues for African American entrepreneurs to engage with Kenyan enterprises.

The MoU was signed by KNCCI Chair of the Diaspora Committee Simon Nyagah and Stephen Gilchrist, Chairman of SCAACC, with both organizations pledging to support business growth, promote enterprises, and improve ties between Kenyan businesses and African American entrepreneurs in South Carolina and across the United States.

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Comprehensive Framework for Economic Cooperation

The agreement outlines comprehensive cooperation across multiple strategic areas designed to facilitate seamless business engagement between the two regions:

Exhibitions and Trade Fairs

The partnership will facilitate the participation of Kenyan enterprises in U.S. trade fairs while encouraging U.S. businesses to showcase their products and services in Kenya. This bilateral approach ensures that both markets gain exposure to new opportunities and potential partnerships.

Business Information Exchange

A robust information-sharing mechanism will provide up-to-date market intelligence, commercial legislation updates, and trade opportunities to ease market entry for businesses from both regions. This real-time information flow will help enterprises make informed decisions and navigate regulatory requirements more effectively.

Technology and Innovation

The partnership emphasizes promoting technological exchange, innovation-driven partnerships, and knowledge transfer between the two countries. This focus on technology aligns with both Kenya’s Vision 2030 industrialization goals and South Carolina’s growing technology sector.

Delegations and Networking

The MoU provides for organizing trade missions, economic delegations, and networking platforms to foster direct business linkages. These face-to-face interactions are crucial for building trust and understanding between business communities.

Publications and Communication

Establishing information-sharing platforms including open website links and regular publications will increase visibility of opportunities and ensure that businesses stay informed about emerging prospects.

Expected Benefits and Market Access Opportunities

This partnership is expected to deliver significant benefits for Kenyan businesses across multiple sectors:

Enhanced Market Access

The agreement provides Kenyan SMEs and large enterprises with structured access to South Carolina and broader U.S. markets. Kenya’s major agricultural exports, including tea, coffee, cut flowers, and macadamia nuts, stand to benefit significantly from this enhanced market access.

Investment Attraction

The partnership aims to attract U.S. investors into Kenya’s key sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT, renewable energy, and tourism. With agriculture accounting for 40% of Kenya’s workforce and 33% of GDP, agricultural investment opportunities present particular promise.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

Kenyan businesses will enhance their capabilities through exposure to U.S. technology, innovation, and best practices. This knowledge transfer is particularly valuable in sectors where the U.S. maintains technological leadership.

Strengthened Diaspora Linkages

The partnership strengthens ties with the African American business community, opening new avenues for cultural and economic exchange. The National Black Chamber of Commerce network, which unites more than 200 chambers across 40 states and 50 countries, provides extensive opportunities for collaboration.

Economic Growth and Employment

The initiative supports Kenya’s agenda of expanding exports, diversifying trade partners, and creating employment through private sector-led growth, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 development blueprint.

AGOA and Kenya-US Trade Relations Context

This partnership comes at a crucial time as Kenya continues to benefit from AGOA, which provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products. Under AGOA, Kenya’s apparel-dominated sales have grown from $55 million in 2001 to $603 million in 2022, accounting for 67.6% of the country’s total exports to the U.S.

However, with AGOA set to expire in 2025, partnerships like the KNCCI-SCAACC MoU become even more critical for maintaining and expanding trade relationships. Kenya has been actively advocating for AGOA’s renewal, recognizing its vital role in the country’s export strategy.

Kenya’s total exports of coffee, tea, mate and spices reached $1.63 billion in 2023, demonstrating the significant potential for agricultural partnerships with U.S. markets.

Agricultural Export Opportunities and Walmart Partnership

The timing of this MoU is particularly strategic given ongoing discussions between Kenya and major U.S. retailers. Kenya has opened discussions with Walmart for the purchase of local tea, macadamia nuts, and other products, led by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

Tea Sector Potential

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has emphasized the advantages of sourcing tea directly from Kenya, highlighting freshness, traceability, and higher financial returns for local farmers. Kenya ranks third globally in tea exports, making it an attractive partner for U.S. retailers.

Macadamia Nuts Market Leadership

Kenya’s macadamia sector is positioned for significant growth, with the country accounting for 15% of global production. Macadamia Association of Kenya CEO Jane Maigua has showcased Kenya’s macadamia nuts as a premium product, cultivated organically by over 200,000 smallholder farmers.

Coffee Export Growth

Despite global challenges, Kenya’s coffee earnings surged 83.68% to $35.38 billion in early 2025, demonstrating the sector’s resilience and growth potential.

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South Carolina’s Strategic Position

South Carolina offers unique advantages as a gateway to U.S. markets. The South Carolina African American Chamber of Commerce mission focuses on empowering minority businesses by driving policy innovation, promoting economic opportunities, and fostering sustainable growth through strategic advocacy and investment in Opportunity Zones.

The state’s strategic location, with major ports and transportation infrastructure, provides excellent access to both East Coast and inland U.S. markets. This geographic advantage, combined with South Carolina’s business-friendly environment, makes it an ideal partner for Kenyan enterprises seeking U.S. market entry.

Leadership Perspectives and Vision

Speaking during the signing, Simon Nyagah, KNCCI Chair of the Diaspora Committee, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership: “This partnership opens new doors for our members to tap into the U.S. market, expand investment opportunities, and foster knowledge exchange. It is a bold step by both organizations in strengthening Kenya–U.S. business relations, particularly with the African American business community that shares deep historic and cultural ties with Africa.”

Stephen Gilchrist, Chairman of SCAACC, added: “We are committed to building strong bridges of trade and investment between South Carolina and Kenya. This collaboration will empower businesses on both sides to grow, innovate, and prosper in a globalized economy.”

United States Africa Trade Desk Engagement

The agreement was signed during a high-level engagement with the United States Africa Trade Desk (USATD) CEO Gavin Van Der Burgh, which saw Kenya open new doors for the country’s agricultural exports, financing, and large-scale investment partnerships including access to U.S. retail markets.

These discussions have already progressed to concrete negotiations with retail giant Walmart to purchase agricultural commodities including Kenyan tea, coffee, macadamia and flowers, which will ensure visibility on store shelves and stronger demand for Kenyan produce.

KNCCI’s Strategic International Partnerships

This MoU represents part of KNCCI’s broader strategy to expand international partnerships. The chamber has recently established similar agreements with various international organizations, including partnerships with the Asian African Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost Africa-Asia trade and investment.

KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto’s recent appointment to the World Chambers Federation General Council further strengthens Kenya’s global trade relationships and provides a platform for amplifying African business interests on the international stage.

Economic Impact and Future Prospects

The partnership comes at a time when Kenya’s economy is showing resilience despite global challenges. As Africa’s largest start-up hub by both funds invested and number of projects as of 2023, Kenya offers significant opportunities for technology and innovation partnerships.

With over 150 business offices nationwide and established county chambers in all 47 counties, KNCCI provides comprehensive coverage and support for businesses across Kenya. This extensive network, combined with South Carolina’s business infrastructure, creates a robust foundation for sustained economic cooperation.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While the partnership presents significant opportunities, several challenges must be addressed to maximize its potential:

Regulatory Harmonization

Differences in regulatory frameworks between Kenya and the U.S. require careful navigation. The partnership’s provision for sharing commercial legislation updates will be crucial in addressing these challenges.

Market Access Barriers

Despite AGOA benefits, Kenya still faces various trade barriers that limit agricultural exports to the U.S., including sanitary and phytosanitary standards that require technical assistance to meet.

Infrastructure Development

Kenya’s agricultural sector still faces productivity challenges due to poor infrastructure and limited mechanization, which the partnership’s technology transfer components could help address.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Kenya-US Economic Relations

The KNCCI-SCAACC partnership represents a new chapter in Kenya-U.S. economic relations, moving beyond traditional aid models to focus on mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. By leveraging the cultural and historical connections between Africa and African Americans, this partnership creates unique pathways for economic cooperation.

The agreement’s comprehensive framework, covering everything from trade facilitation to technology transfer, provides a solid foundation for sustained collaboration. With ongoing discussions involving major U.S. retailers like Walmart and strong support from organizations like the United States Africa Trade Desk, the partnership is well-positioned to deliver concrete results for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

As both economies continue to evolve and seek new growth opportunities, partnerships like this one demonstrate the potential for innovative approaches to international economic cooperation. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for similar partnerships between African chambers of commerce and African American business organizations across the United States, ultimately contributing to stronger economic ties between Africa and America.

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Photo source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

15th September, 2025