This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
With just four months left until the current trade agreement lapses, Kenya is racing against time to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK. The December 31 deadline is looming, and failure to meet it will result in the loss of duty-free and quota-free access to the UK market, affecting Kenya's flower and vegetable exports.
According to The EastAfrican, Kenya will be the hardest hit if the region fails to sign a post-Brexit trade deal. The country's classification as a Lower Middle-Income state, unlike its EAC counterparts who are classified as Least Developed Countries, means that its exports and quotas will be subject to restrictions, while other EAC members will still have unrestricted access to the UK market.
The UK is advocating for a collective trade agreement with the EAC based on the current deal between the UK and the trading bloc. However, Kenya is now considering separate discussions outside of the EAC framework, under a variable geometry for the post-Brexit trade deal.
As the deadline approaches, Kenya is weighing its options and looking for alternative solutions to secure a post-Brexit trade deal. The country's failure to meet the deadline will have significant consequences for its economy and trade relations with the UK.
