Kenya and Burundi have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced trade, investment, and economic cooperation. This development emerged from discussions held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, between Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, and Burundi’s Minister for Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Dr. Hassan Kibeya, on the sidelines of the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government in Nairobi.

CS Kinyanjui, in a statement on his official X account, highlighted that the talks focused on deepening existing ties between the two nations. The 24th COMESA Summit, hosted by Kenya at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, runs from Tuesday, October 7, to Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Historical and Political Context

Kenya has historically been a significant trading partner for Burundi within the East African region. In 2023, Kenya's exports to Burundi were valued at approximately $68.6 million, an increase from $49.8 million in 2018, representing an annualized growth rate of 6.61% over five years. Key Kenyan exports to Burundi include coated flat-rolled iron, other edible preparations, and raw iron bars.

Conversely, Burundi's exports to Kenya in 2023 stood at about $106,000, a significant decrease from $3.02 million in 2018, marking an annualized decline of 48.8% over the same period. Burundi's main exports to Kenya include tea, used clothing, and bran.

The current COMESA Summit's theme, 'Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,' underscores the importance of digital transformation in fostering intra-regional trade.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

The discussions between Kenya and Burundi align with broader COMESA objectives to promote regional integration and eliminate trade barriers. Kenya's Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has been a vocal advocate for removing unnecessary stops and bureaucratic hurdles that impede the free movement of goods and services among COMESA member states. He emphasized that intra-COMESA trade currently stands at approximately 14%, a figure he believes is well below the bloc's potential.

Kenya has also taken steps to facilitate trade by abolishing visa requirements for all African countries, a move lauded by CS Kinyanjui as crucial for enhancing business mobility and cross-border trade.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui (Investments, Trade, and Industry, Kenya) highlighted the significance of the COMESA Summit as a platform for engagement during times of global economic turbulence, particularly concerning trade. He noted that Kenya's President William Ruto is expected to assume the chairmanship of COMESA, providing an opportunity for Kenya to champion intra-Africa trade.

Dr. Hassan Kibeya serves as Burundi's Minister for Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism, a position he assumed following a cabinet reshuffle in August 2025.

Evidence/Data Box

• Kenya's Exports to Burundi (2023): $68.6 million (Source: The Observatory of Economic Complexity, 2025)
• Burundi's Exports to Kenya (2023): $106,000 (Source: The Observatory of Economic Complexity, 2025)
• Intra-COMESA Trade: Approximately 14% of total trade (Source: Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, October 2025)
• 24th COMESA Summit Dates: Tuesday, October 7, to Thursday, October 9, 2025 (Source: COMESA Secretariat, 2025)

Risks and Implications

While the commitment to enhanced trade is positive, challenges such as persistent non-tariff barriers, lengthy border clearance processes, and logistical hurdles continue to hinder the full realization of COMESA's economic potential. The significant decline in Burundi's exports to Kenya over the past five years also points to underlying issues that need to be addressed to ensure balanced and mutually beneficial trade growth.

Timeline and Next Steps

The 24th COMESA Summit concludes on Thursday, October 9, 2025, with key resolutions expected to emerge from the Heads of State and Government meeting. These resolutions will likely guide the next steps in deepening trade and investment opportunities between member states like Kenya and Burundi.

What to Watch

Observers will be keen to see concrete policy actions and timelines for implementing measures aimed at reducing trade barriers and fostering digital integration within COMESA. The assumption of the COMESA chairmanship by Kenya's President William Ruto is also a key development to watch, as it could influence the bloc's agenda and priorities for regional trade.