Public consultations on the proposed National Trade Development Bill, 2025 have officially begun, with the State Department for Trade rolling out forums in several counties across the country.
The proposed law, unveiled on Tuesday, is intended to provide Kenya with a clear and unified legal framework to guide trade development, regulation and promotion, as the government seeks to strengthen coordination and create a more predictable business environment.
According to the ministry, the Bill represents Kenya’s first comprehensive trade law, designed to bring together the national government, county governments and the private sector in the management of trade-related matters.
The public participation exercise kicked off on February 3, 2026 and will run until February 11, 2026, giving stakeholders and members of the public an opportunity to shape the legislation before it moves to the next stage.
Initial forums were held in Kilifi, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir, Lamu, Mandera and Garissa counties, with additional sessions planned in other parts of the country during the consultation period.
The ministry says the meetings are aimed at collecting views from businesses, civil society, farmers, youth, women, county governments and other interested groups on how the proposed framework can better respond to the realities of trade across different regions and sectors.
Officials have stressed that public participation is a key part of developing a trade law that reflects the needs of Kenyans and supports inclusive and fair growth.
The Bill seeks to position trade as a major driver of economic growth, industrial development, digital transformation and global competitiveness, while addressing gaps caused by fragmented trade policies.
By setting out a clear legal and institutional structure, the government believes the framework will improve policy coordination and reduce overlaps in the management of trade matters.
One of the major proposals in the Bill is the establishment of a National Trade Council, which would be responsible for guiding trade policy and overseeing the implementation of national trade strategies.
The council is expected to provide a high-level platform for coordinated decision-making on trade issues involving different government agencies and stakeholders.
The legislation also proposes the creation of a National Trade Development Academy, which the ministry says will focus on building skills and capacity in trade and digital commerce, in response to the growing role of technology in local and international markets.
To improve competitiveness and ease the burden on businesses, the Bill introduces reforms aimed at streamlining regulatory processes.
These include the harmonisation of licensing systems and the possible removal of duplicative permits, measures the ministry says are intended to improve the ease of doing business.
Export development and manufacturing growth are also key pillars of the proposed framework.
The Bill provides for the establishment of a National Trade Portal that would bring together trade information, market data and licensing services, making it easier for traders to access essential services and information.
Once enacted, the ministry says the law is expected to support exports, strengthen businesses and contribute to sustainable economic development across the country.
The proposed framework also seeks to promote fair trade practices and ensure inclusive participation, with a focus on women and youth, groups the government says are central to Kenya’s economic future.
Improving coordination in Kenya’s international trade engagements is another key objective of the Bill, as the government looks to strengthen its position in regional and global markets.
The State Department for Trade has emphasised that the success of the proposed law depends on active public involvement.
Stakeholders from all sectors have been encouraged to submit their views during the consultation period to help shape the final version of the Bill.
The public participation process is expected to inform the final draft before the legislation is presented for further consideration.
The consultations were announced through a press release issued in Nairobi and signed by Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Trade, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusive policy-making in shaping Kenya’s trade future.
