Kenya: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $187 million. The ten largest product groups made up 51.8% of that total, led by Nitrogenous Fertilizers; Passenger and Cargo Ships; Military Weapons.

Kenya: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are China, India, UAE. The three largest export partners are USA, Pakistan, Uganda.

Kenya: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Cars; Palm Oil. The three largest export products are Tea; Cut Flowers; Refined Petroleum.

Kenya: how big is the economy?

Population 50 million, GDP $74 billion, and $1,501 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.590.

Kenya: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is -$11B in net imports.

Kenya: which ports handle goods from Turkey?

The main ports are Mombasa, Lamu.

Kenya: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. The Kenyan importer also lodges an Import Declaration Form through the KenTrade single window.

Kenya: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Kenya

Kenya is located in the East Africa and it is bordered by Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya’s population is 50 million and its GDP is $74 Billion. Kenya is a member of United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, COMESA, East African Community trade bloc and other international organisations.

Kenya gained independence from United Kingdom in 1963 and republic was declared in 1964. The official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili. Its capital city is Nairobi and its population is around 3 million. Nairobi is also the biggest city and center of commerce.

Kenya’s main import partner is China with 23% of total imports. China is followed by India with 10% share. The country’s economy heavily depends on agricultural products, especially tea. Textile industry is developing in Kenya in 2017, it accounted for 8% of total exports.

The commercial relations between Kenya and Turkey have incerased significantly in the last 10 years. Total exports increased from $130 Billion to $190 Billion between 2008 and 2017. Fertilizers are the main export product of Turkey to Kenya with 26% of total exports in 2017. Kenya is an important market for Turkish companies which are willing to enter the East African market. It has one of the largest shipping ports and land connection to other major markets such as Uganda.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Kenya with Turkey.

Four charts for Kenya. Population rises from about 31 million in 2000 to 49 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$12 billion to US$79 billion. Total imports run two to three times exports, peaking near US$20 billion in 2014. Imports from Turkey run between about US$120 and US$190 million while exports to Turkey stay under US$25 million.

Turkey's exports to Kenya in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Nairobi
Official language: Swahili / English
Population: 50 million
GDP: $74 billion
GDP per capita: $1,501
Human Development Index: 0.590

Top 3 import partners: China, India, UAE
Top 3 export partners: USA, Pakistan, Uganda
Top 3 import products: Refined Petroleum, Cars, Palm Oil
Top 3 export products: Tea, Cut Flowers, Refined Petroleum
Trade balance: -$11B in net imports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Kenya: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Main ports: Mombasa, Lamu
Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, EAC, COMESA
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Kenya

Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. The Kenyan importer also lodges an Import Declaration Form through the KenTrade single window.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$129 million

Top 10 products account for 70.6% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Refined Petroleum	46.3%
Mixed Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers	4.3%
Raw Iron Bars	3.5%
Hot-Rolled Iron	3%
Electrical Control Boards	2.9%
Synthetic Filament Tow	2.8%
Iron Blocks	2.4%
Tractors	2%
Pasta	1.8%
Rubber Tires	1.5%

2017

$187 million

Top 10 products account for 51.8% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Nitrogenous Fertilizers	25.8%
Passenger and Cargo Ships	4.8%
Military Weapons	4.1%
Electric Heaters	3.2%
Machinery Having Individual Functions	3.1%
Mill Machinery	2.8%
Pasta	2.8%
Toilet Paper	2.1%
Vehicle Parts	1.7%
Packaged Medicaments	1.5%

Frequently asked questions

Kenya: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $187 million. The ten largest product groups made up 51.8% of that total, led by Nitrogenous Fertilizers; Passenger and Cargo Ships; Military Weapons.
Kenya: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are China, India, UAE. The three largest export partners are USA, Pakistan, Uganda.
Kenya: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Cars; Palm Oil. The three largest export products are Tea; Cut Flowers; Refined Petroleum.
Kenya: how big is the economy?: Population 50 million, GDP $74 billion, and $1,501 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.590.
Kenya: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is -$11B in net imports.
Kenya: which ports handle goods from Turkey?: The main ports are Mombasa, Lamu.
Kenya: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. The Kenyan importer also lodges an Import Declaration Form through the KenTrade single window.
Kenya: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets